13 Reasons Why We Love Waheed Murad
Image Credits: Google
Akele na jaana,
Hamain chorr kar yoon
Tumharay bina hum, Bhala kya jiyen ge
Waheed Murad was taken away too soon from us. The #ChocolateHero sensation in Pakistan captured many young hearts, led the way for others to follow, and perhaps, if he had stayed with us longer, who knows where the Pakistani film industry would have gone in the past – perhaps a different way? If he was here with us still, he would have turned 81 today. On his birth anniversary, we celebrate the actor, the person and the star who made history on the silver screen!
If you’re a young millenial and wondering what all the fuss is about, read this. If you’re NOT a millenial, and vaguely recall his hay days in Cinema, read this. If you know nothing about Waheed Murad, but curious about this vintage treasure who graced our lives, only for a short period, read this, and you will want to know more:
13 Things about Waheed Murad that tell you why he kicked some serious ass in his golden era (and we vouch he could STILL do that today!):
1. He held a Masters degree in English Literature.
He was one of the few very highly qualified actors of his age.
‘The film industry gave me a lot. Shuhrat, naam, izzat di, paisa diya. Bus yeh hai keh MA ka istamaal nahin hua … Jisne pehli jamaat bhi na paas ki ho, uskay chances zyaada hain, film industry mein, aajkal.‘
Waheed Murad in Anwar Maqsood’s program Silver Jubilee
2. The industry’s most iconic songs were picturized on Waheed Murad.
Akele Na Jana from Armaan – The song and the film that immortalized him.
If you’re not humming this today, perhaps you should. This song acquired iconic status in the late 60’s. The song was sung onscreen with Actress Zeba.
And if that’s not enough, the ever popular melody Tumhain Kaisay Bata doon Tum Meri Manzil Ho, originally sung by Ahmed Rushdi, and later, (by many more) was picturized on Waheed Murad in his film Doraha.
3. Waheed Murad’s hair style was a ‘THING”.
And the ‘Waheed Murad CUT” was offered by many hair dressers for young boys and men who aspired to style themselves ala the Chocolate hero.
His favorite hair dresser (if you still fancy a Waheed Murad cut): Rafiq hairdresser in Karachi and Khursheed hairdresser in Lahore. Do tell us if you find them!
4. He never smoked.
How’s THAT for setting an example on youngsters?
In an age when smoking was ‘The Thing to do”, Waheed never succumbed to peer pressure. If anything, he showed ‘how cool it was to be cool’ without smoking and being a family man, which brings us to our next point.
5. Waheed Murad was devoted to 3 women in his life.
His mother (Shireen Murad), his wife (Salma)and his daughter (Aaliya). Despite his star status, he was a family man, (as good as they come).
Image Credits: http://www.waheedmurad.com/2016/11/private-photograph-with-salma-murad.html
6. Always punctual on the sets.
His star status did not render him ‘above the law. We presume, they don’t make ’em like him anymore! (Read Reason 10 to know more)!
Meray Paas Tum Ho – This is What We Think!
7. He wasn’t just a ‘Hero’ in front of the lens.
Waheed Murad was equally skillful behind the lens, very few if any, actors can fill his shoes. He was the hero, scriptwriter and producer of Pakistan’s first platinum jubilee film ‘Armaan’. Yes, the same one that became a block buster in the 60’s.
9. He flatly refused to picture a song of film “Izzat” on him, because its lyrics were vulgar.
What can we say? The age of chivalry, respect, decency and non-commercialism came together in one name – Waheed Murad. Perhaps the next generation actors, and actresses have a lot to learn from this #ChocolateHero!
10. For nearly a decade, Waheed Murad was the richest actor, director, producer and scriptwriter of the Pakistan film industry.
But he didn’t let stardom go to his head. Being punctual on the sets was a habit he maintained always.
11. Ironically, of all his films which he had produced, he was particularly proud of ‘Ehsaan’ whose topic was women who had lost their husbands.
When onscreen lives mirror real lives, we stand up and take notice. In his sudden and untimely death, he left behind his wife Salma – and the rest is history.
12. It is believed that he died of a heart attack.
Late legendary film actor Waheed Murad was born on October 2,1938 at Karachi, Pakistan. He left behind his wife Salma, and his daughter Aaliya, as well as a nation of Pakistani Film Fans who will miss him dearly.
13. Waheed Murad did not just act in Urdu films.
And he wasn’t afraid to show his diverse multi-lingual talents! Thus his appeal extended across ethnicities in Pakistan, and so does his contribution to Pakistani Cinema – a true Pakistani hero of the silver screen!
In one of his last interviews he had said:
“Sometimes I think that if I suddenly disappear or am no more for any reason, I would like to be remembered in the following song:
‘Bhooli hui hoon dastaan,
Guzra hua khayal hoon
Jiss ko na tum samajh sakay,
Mein aisa aik sawal hoon’.”
I’m a tale forgotten, a thought bygone. I’m the question which you couldn’t understand.
We will miss him dearly. Which actor in the industry today, can measure up to his astounding achievements? Any takers?
Shazia likes to pen her thoughts when she feels passionately about a life experience, a person or an event. She is mother to 3 lively boys and along with her husband, attempts to settle in her new country by taking German lessons so she is able to soak in the culture, language and spirit of the region.
“Wake up in the morning, take a deep breath and exhale! Keep on living with a passion that inspires others! “
Aniq says
October 3, 2019 at 2:25 amTumhain kese bata Doon tum mere manzil ho ” was sung by Ahmad rushdi . Beautiful article
rabia says
October 3, 2019 at 9:12 amThank you Aniq. The YouTube link mentioned both Ahmed Rushdi and Mehdi Hasan Saahab. You are right. Will add his name.Thank you again!