Shabab Kiranwi

Shabab Kiranwi is a Pakistani film director, producer, and novelist who left a significant mark on the local cinema industry. He produced 75 Urdu films throughout his career and directed more than 50 of them. His work often explores social inequality between the rich and the poor.

Early life and education

Born as Nazir Ahmed in 1926, he grew up in Muzaffarnagar within British India. He began his professional journey as a journalist for a film magazine called Picture. During his primary schooling, he memorized the Quran and earned the title Hafiz Nazir Ahmed. At the age of 15, he started writing poems and adopted the pseudonym "Shabab." Because he was a resident of Kairana, he eventually became known as Shabab Kiranwi.

He migrated to Pakistan with his family following the partition of the Indian subcontinent. After settling in Lahore, he focused on poetry and attended classes taught by Tajvar Najibabadi. He also studied under the Pakistani poet Ehsan Danish.

Career

Kiranwi debuted in the film industry in 1955 as a producer and lyricist with the film Jalwa. He later made his directorial debut in 1961 with Surayya. Following the box office success of Mehtab, he established Shabab Studio at Thokar Niaz Beg in Lahore. This production house released socio-romantic films until he stopped working in the industry. The premises now houses a film academy established by Syed Noor.

His studio produced several notable works including Insaniyat, which featured the debut of Tariq Aziz and Ali Ejaz. He also directed or produced films such as Aina in 1966, Sangdil in 1968, and Daman Aur Chingari in 1973. In 1969, he released his first color motion picture titled Tumhi ho Mehboob Meray. Other productions under his banner include Saheli and Shama-E-Mohabbat in 1977.

He is credited with introducing several new talents to the Pakistani film industry. These actors include Babra Sharif, Ghulam Mohiuddin, Ali Ejaz, and Anjuman. While he was a prolific creator, some critics accused him of producing replica films based on Indian works. For instance, it is reported that his 1967 film Insaniyat was a replica of the Indian film Dil Ek Mandir.

As a lyricist, he contributed various songs to the industry. His discography includes "Tu Jahan Kahin Bhi Jaye, Mera Pyar Yaad Rakhna" from Insan Aur Aadmi and "Yeh Wada Kiya Kiya Tha Mohabbat Karein Gay" from Daman Aur Chingari. He also wrote "Aankhen Ghazal Hai Aapki" for the film Saheli. Two of his poems, Mooj Shabaab and Bazar Sada, were published before his death.

Beyond cinema, he was a prolific novelist who wrote more than 24 books. His literary works include Phool Ke Saye, Ek Aurat Hazar Marhaley, and Dard-e-Dil Aur Khalish. Most of his film music featured compositions by M. Ashraf, whose songs for Kiranwi often became hits.

Personal life

He passed away on 5 November 1982 in Lahore, Pakistan. He is survived by his two sons, Zafar Shabab and Nazar Shabab.

Awards and recognition

Kiranwi received recognition for his long-standing contributions to Pakistani cinema. In 1981, he won a Special Nigar Award for 30 years of excellence in the industry. Some of his films also became recipients of Nigar Awards during his career.