Sudhir (actor)

For the Malayalam film actor, see Sudheer (Malayalam actor).

Sudhir
File:Lala Sudhir.jpg Lala Sudhir film actor
Born	Shah Zaman Khan 1922 Lahore, Pakistan
Died	19 January 1997(1997-01-19) Lahore, Pakistan
Resting place	Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
Other names	Shah Zaman Khan
Occupation	Film Actor, Producer, Director
Years active	1940s–1990s
Spouse(s)	Shammi

Shah Zaman Khan Afridi better known as Sudhir or Lala Sudhir (older brother in Pushto language) was a Pakistani film actor, director and producer. He is the only actor of early Pakistani cinema whose film career has been preserved. He is known as the first action hero of Pakistani cinema. His film roles symbolized valour and bravery. Like Sultan Rahi, he appeared in the highest grossing films of Pakistan.

Early life

He was born as Shah Zaman Khan in 1922 in Lahore, Pakistan.

Professional career

Main article: Filmography of Sudhir

He started his career with a role in a Bollywood film named Farz in 1947 in British India. Afterwards, he migrated to Pakistan. After 1947, he started his career in the Pakistani cinema. His first film was the successful Hichkolay in 1949. He appeared in the hit musical film Dupatta in 1952. In 1954, Sassi was the first ever Urdu film to celebrate a Golden Jubilee. Dulla Bhatti (1956), Mahi Munda (1956) and Yakke Wali (1957) were the highest grossing Punjabi films of the time. Yakke Wali (1957) was the first blockbuster Punjabi film. These two films led to building of large film studios in Pakistan. Sudhir was the hero of film Baghi (1956), the first Pakistani film to be shown in China.

He was an 'action films hero' but appeared as Hatim Tai in Hatim (1956), as Prince Saleem in the famous film Anarkali (1958), as Mirza Jat in film Mirza Sahiban (1956), as Mahinwal in film Sohni (1955) and as Mirza Ghalib in film Ghalib (1961). He acted in films Nooran (1957), Jhoomar (1959) and Gul Bakawli (1961) etc. He starred in one of the highest grossing Punjabi film Kartar Singh in 1959. He later appeared in hits such as film Farangi (1964) and film Ajab Khan (1961) on the struggle against the British Raj. His film Jeedar (1965) was the first to reach a Platinum Jubilee status. Maa Puttar (1970) was another Punjabi film to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee. He once fought a real battle with a tiger in film Sahil (1960). He appeared as a sidekick with his son in film Dushman Ki Talash (1978).

Pakistan television

At a very old age, he had a special appearance on PTV and was interviewed by Izhar Bobby.

Awards and nominations

• 1970 - Nigar Awards (Punjabi films)-Best Actor Award for film Maa Puttar
• 1974 - Nigar Awards (Punjabi films)-Best Actor Award for film Lottery
• 1981 - Nigar Awards-Special Award for 30 years of excellence.

Death and personal life

He died on 19 January 1997. He married four times, twice within his extended family. These two marriages were 'arranged marriages' by his elders which is commonly practiced in Pakistani culture, then with fellow actress Shammi and finally with Pakistani film actress Zeba. His marriage with Zeba lasted a very short time. Zeba later went on to marry actor Mohammad Ali. His son from his second wife is Meer Zaman, also an actor.Followed by his son Nadir Zaman Khan. His younger son Sikandar Zaman from Shammi is married to Noor Jehan's granddaughter Fatima.