Sahira Kazmi | |
|---|---|
| Born | Sahira Ansari (1950-04-08)8 April 1950 (age 75)[1] |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1970–2005 |
| Spouse | |
| Children | Ali Kazmi (son) Nida Kazmi (daughter) |
| Parent(s) | Sunder Shyam (father) Mumtaz Qureshi (mother) |
| Relatives | Zeb Qureshi (aunt) Shakir Ansari (brother) |
| Awards | Pride of Performance Award by thePresident of Pakistan (2012) |
Sahira Kazmi (Urdu:ساحرہ کاظمی) is a retired Pakistani actress, newscaster, producer and director. She is best known for her role in the country's first-ever colour seriesParchaiyan (1976) and for producing the cult-classic blockbuster seriesDhoop Kinare (1987) and the acclaimed dramaNijaat (1993).[2] She along withUzma Gillani,Roohi Bano,Tahira Naqvi andKhalida Riyasat dominated the television screens of Pakistan during 1970s and 1980s.[3]
Kazmi was born on 8 April 1950 inBombay toShyam and Mumtaz Qureshi (also known as Taaji), both actors and prominent figures in the film industry ofBritish India and her aunt Zeb Qureshi was also an actress in Hindi Cinema.[4][5] However, after her father Shyam's tragic death in 1951, her family moved toKarachi, which was part of the new state of Pakistan.[6] Sahira's mother, Mumtaz remarried a Pakistani entrepreneur with the surname Ansari. Sahira and her brother Shaakir changed their surnames and became Sahira Ansari and Shakir Ansari. Sahira and her brother also joined the acting field and both became prominent names in Pakistan's acting industry.[7]
Sahira's career began in the 1970 when she started working as newscaster and would read news in english and later she started acting inPTV dramas inRawalpindi.[8] Her first play wasQurbatein aur Faslay (1974), based onIvan Turgenev's novelFathers and Sons, followed byParchaiyan (1976), based onHenry James's novelThe Portrait of a Lady, which was followed by another seriesTeesra Kinara (1980).[9][10] Sahira became famous for her roles inParchaiyan, andTeesra Kinara alongside the actor Rahat Kazmi, who she later married in the mid 1970s.[11] She also acted in dramasSangsaar,Sawan Roop,Picnic andAnjanay Main[12][13]
Later, Sahira realized her passion lay in directing content and soon she turned towards directing and producing dramas. She had already directed a number of programmes after her first play. but she made her debut as a director when she launched the seriesHawa ke Naam.[9] The highlighted women's rights and their imaging in Pakistan. Sahira joined Pakistan television Karachi center as a permanent employee and worked as director.[14] She directed many dramas that went on to become a classic in the film industry.[15] Some of her best known dramas such asTappish,Dhoop Kinaray,Khaleej,Aahat,Hawa Ki Beti,Nijaat andZaibunnissa,Dhoop Kinaray (1987), written byHaseena Moin, and starred Rahat Kazmi and Marina Khan.[16][17] The drama became Sahira's most notable work in her production career.[18][19] The series succeeded even after two decades of its production.[20][21] In 2019, the series were also translated into Arabic, to play the drama inSaudi Arabia.[10][22] The step was taken as part of a cultural exchange between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.[23][24] Federal information ministerFawad Chaudhry announced during a visit to the Saudi capital of Riyadh that Islamabad would soon export its television series to the Kingdom.[25][26] Arab News said the move is part of a push by Saudi Crown PrinceMohammed bin Salman in the last three years to modernize the Kingdom where cinemas, public concerts and other forms of entertainment have been banned for decades.[27][28]
Sahira is known for producing dramas and plays that highlighted social and political issues. Her dramaTappish revolved around a student leader and also highlighted the issue of rape.Aahat,Nijaat,Hawa Ki Beti andZaib-Un-Nisa highlighted with issues like poverty, domestic abuse and hardships of women.[29] in 1993, Sahira took a break from her career and came back with a new projectTum Se Kehna Thaa; a play inspired by theHollywood filmWhile you were sleeping.[30] Sahira is also made the hit telefilmsRozi, which starred actorMoeen Akhter andZikr Hai Saal Kaa, starring Rahat Kazmi andAtiqa Odho. She also produced the dramaKaise Kahoon, which starred the actressMarina Khan.[31][32]
Sahira has also produced many music programs for PTV. She was behind the song "Dekha Na Tha Kabhi Hum Nay Yeh Saman" , which was sung by the singerAlamgir. Sahira also came up with a song "Tere Ishq Mein Jo Bhi Doob Gaya", sung by the folk singerAllan Fakir and pop starMohammad Ali Shehki. The song combined the words ofUrdu andSindhi.[33]
In the mid 1970s, Sahira marriedRahat Kazmi; a prominent actor with whom Sahira had worked in many dramas.[34][35] It was then that Sahira changed her name to Sahira Kazmi. The two lived in Karachi and had a daughter Nida Kazmi and sonAli Kazmi.[36][37][38]
| Year | Title | Role | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Qurbatein Aur Faslay | Aliya | PTV |
| 1975 | Sangsaar | Bushra | PTV |
| 1976 | Parchaiyan | Najia | PTV[39] |
| 1980 | Sawan Roop | Zareen | PTV |
| 1980 | Teesra Kinara | Mehreen | PTV |
| 1983 | Picnic | Iffat | PTV |
| 1983 | Anjanay Main | Samiya | PTV |
During the ceremony, Sahira said:
I’m very glad that my work has been recognized after a while and not long after I am gone from the scene! We should pay tribute to other people who have done things during their lifetime.[9]
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