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Shah Zaman Khan Afridi ,better known as Sudhir (Urdu: سدھیر) or Lala Sudhir (25 January 1921 – 19 January 1997) ,was a Pakistani actor, director, and producer.

Sudhir was a highly respected film personality.

With his film roles symbolizing valour and bravery, he is known as the first action-hero of Pakistani cinema, appearing in 173 films, including 101 in Punjabi, 70 in Urdu, one in Pashto, and one in Bollywood before Partition.

Early life

He was born as Shah Zaman Khan Afridi into a Pashtun family on 25 January 1921 in Lahore, where he lived for much of his life.

Career

Cinema

Sudhir 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 Pakistani cinema. His first film was 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 the building of large film studios in Pakistan. Sudhir was the hero of the action film Baghi (1956), the first Pakistani film to be shown in China.

He was an "action film hero,"but appeared as Hatim Tai in Hatim (1956), as Prince Saleem in the famous film Anarkali (1958), as Mirza Jat in the film Mirza Sahiban (1956), as Mahinwal in the film Sohni (1955), and as Mirza Ghalib in the film Ghalib (1961). He acted in the films Nooran (1957), Jhoomer (1959), and Gul Bakawli (1961), etc. He starred in one of the highest grossing Punjabi films, Kartar Singh, in 1959. He later appeared in hits such as the films Farangi (1964) and Ajab Khan (1961), on the struggle against the British Raj.

His film Jeedar (1965) was the first to reach aPlatinum 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).

Television

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

Personal life

Sudhir 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. Sudhir had four sons out of these marriages. He had his elder son Noor Zaman Khan from his first wife. He had one son from his second wife namely Meer Zaman also an actor. He had two sons from actress Shammi – Nadir Zaman Khan and Sikandar Zaman. His younger son Sikandar Zaman Khan is married to renowned playback singer Noor Jehan's granddaughter Fatima. He had no children with Zeba.

Death

Sudhir died on 19 January 1997 and was laid to rest at Defense Society Graveyard in Lahore, Pakistan.

Awards and nominations

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

References

1. ^ Parvez, Amjad (18 June 2020). "Sudhir — the first action-hero of Lollywood". Daily Times newspaper. Archived from the original on 6 October 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
2. ^ Muhammad Suhayb (28 March 2021). "FLASHBACK: THE EPIC STORY OF AJAB KHAN (scroll down to read about Sudhir in Ajab Khan (1961 film))". Dawn newspaper. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
3. ^ "Sudhir's profile". Pakistan Film Magazine website. Archived from the original on 12 June 2017. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
4. ^ "Sudhir (profile)". Cineplot.com website. 27 September 2009. Archived from the original on 10 October 2011. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
5. ^ "Filmography of actor Sudhir". Pakistan Film Magazine website. Archived from the original on 28 April 2017. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
6. "Sudhir on Pakistan Television". PTV. Retrieved 8 March 2016., Pakistan Television videoclip on YouTube.
7. ^ "Pakistan's "Oscars": The Nigar Awards". The Hot Spot Online Film Reviews website. 24 November 2017. Archived from the original on 13 June 2020. Retrieved 18 July 2022.

External links

• Sudhir at IMDb

• 1921 births
• 1997 deaths
• Pashtun male actors
• Afridi people
• Male actors in Hindi cinema
• Film directors from Lahore
• Pakistani male film actors
• Pakistani film producers
• Pakistani stunt performers
• Male actors from Lahore
• Nigar Award winners
• 20th-century Pakistani male actors
• Pashtun filmmakers