Shamim Ara was born on 22 March 1938. She was an actor, director, and producer. She was one of the most popular actors of her time. During the 1960s and 1970s, she was the most successful and popular actor. In Pakistani cinema, she is one of the most influential and motivated celebrities of all time. She was born in British India. Her father’s name was Syed Ali Ahmed and her maternal grandmother’s name was Iqbal Begum who played a very active role in developing Shamim ara’s film career in Pakistan after her mother’s death at an early age.
The family encouraged her to become a professional dancer at an early age. She was born Putli Bai in Aligarh, British India. She is well-known for her role in “Naila”. It was West Pakistan’s first color motion picture. The first full-length color motion picture was Sangam. It was produced in East Pakistan. She visited her family in Lahore where by chance she met Najam Naqvi. She was signed for her next movie. He was looking for a cute face for his next film Kanwari Bewah. She had an adorable face, an inviting smile, and an innocent-looking face. Najam Naqvi gave her the stage name Shamim Ara. Later on she was given minor role in film Anarkali, starring Noor Jahan as Anarkali and Shamim Ara as Surraya, Anarkali’s younger sister. A major role in the film Saheli advanced her career. After getting this film she became a household name. Everyone was talking about her after her role in the song “Mjhsay pehli si Mohabbat”. It was written by Faiz Ahmed Faiz and sung by Madam Noor Jahan. Women started copying her speech and look. After filming Naila, she went on to star in Devdas, Doraha, and Humraz. From her films, Qaidi, Chingari, Farangi, Naila, Aag ka Darya, Lakhon ma aik, Saiqa, Salgirah were the landmarks in her career. These roles gave her the top position as a top actress in Lollywood. In 1968, she produced her first film Saiqa which was based on the Novel by Razia Butt. The film attracted a lot of viewers mostly females. She directed the film “Jiyo Aur Jeenay dou”, the diamond jubilee film Munda Bigra Jae. Other films she directed include Playboy, Miss Hong Kong, Miss Singapore, Miss Colombo, Lady smuggler, Lady commando, Akhri Mujra, Baita, Haathi mere sathi, Munda bigra Jae, Hum tou chalay Sasural, Miss Istanbul, Hum Kisi sa Kam Nahin, love 95, and Pal do Pal. Shamim Ara married total of four times. Her first husband died in a car accident. The second marriage ended in divorce, During her visit to Pakistan, she suffered a brain hemorrhage, on 19 October 2010. She was taken back to London for treatment. She died on 5th August 2016. She died after a long illness in a hospital. After the death of Shamim, Ara Resham said that she worked with her in limited films but she left a lasting impression on her. Her only son led the funeral arrangements and she was buried in the UK. Another star is gone. Another sad end.
