Saiqa (film)

Saiqa
صاعقہ
Directed byLaiq Akhtar
Screenplay byMasroor Anwar
Story byRazia Butt
Based onSaiqa
by Razia Butt
Produced byShamim Ara
Starring
CinematographyKamran Mirza
Music byNisar Bazmi
Production
company
Shamim Ara Productions
Release date
  • 13 September 1968 (1968-09-13)
CountryPakistan
LanguageUrdu

Saiqa is a 1968 Pakistani Urdu romantic film directed by Laiq Akhtar and produced by Shamim Ara in her debut production under Shamim Ara Productions. The film was based on Razia Butt's novel by the same name.[1] The lead cast included Shamim Ara, Mohammad Ali, Darpan, Lehri, and Zamurrad.[1][2]

Saiqa is considered as one of the best performances of Ara,[3] winning her a Nigar Award for Best Actress also. Collectively, the film received 9 Nigar Awards in different categories including "Best Film".[2]

Plot

The protagonist of the film is Saiqa, a twenty-year-old orphan girl who lives in a palace with her grandmother, aunts, and uncle. The palace, however, is a horrible place for her because she is treated badly due to her parents' deeds. Her distant aunt Anjum Ara, who visits occasionally, and her uncle Fakhr, who does not overtly express his affection for her because of his wife, are the only people who truly adore her.

Saiqa secretly loves her most annoying cousin Rehan, but he likes his other cousin. The superstitious adults with hate-filled hearts have misled Rehan and other kids in the palace into thinking that Saiqa's presence is a curse. Finally, Saiqa succeeds in convincing Rehan about her true love for him.[2]

Cast

Music and soundtracks

The music of the film was composed by Nisar Bazmi[4] and the songs were written by Masroor Anwar:[5]

  • A Baharo, Gawah Rehna, A Nazaaro, Gawah Rehna — Singer(s): Ahmad Rushdi, Mala[1][5]
  • Aaja Teray Pyar Mein Hay Dil Be-Qarar — Singer: Runa Laila
  • Husn Ka Jalwa Bijli Ban Kar Kab Kis Par Gir Jaye — Singer(s): Mala, Naseem Begum
  • Ik Sitam Aur Meri Jan, Abhi Jan Baqi Hay — Singer: Mehdi Hassan[1][5]
  • Jo Hamguzar Rahay Hayn, Woh Zindagi To Nahin — Singer: Mala
  • Teri Tasvir Mein Jo Baat Hay, Woh Tujh Mein Kahan — Singer: Mala

Production

The film was based on Razia Butt's best-seller Saiqa.[2] The filming took place in Swat.[6]

Release and box office

Saiqa was released on 13 September 1968.[5]

Awards

Saiqa received 9 Nigar Awards in the following categories:[1][2][7][8][9]

Category Awardee
Best film of 1968 Shamim Ara
Best actress Shamim Ara
Best script writer Razia Butt
Best screenplay Masroor Anwar
Best actor Mohammad Ali
Best comedian Lehri
Best lyricist Masroor Anwar
Best male playback singer Mehdi Hassan
Best musician Nisar Bazmi

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Saiqa (1968 film) - a film review". The Hot Spot Film Reviews website. 7 October 2001. Archived from the original on 13 February 2008. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e Gul, Aijaz (4 January 2019). "Lok Virsa to screen classical film 'Saiqa' tomorrow". The News International (newspaper). Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  3. ^ "Illustrated Weekly of Pakistan". Herald. Vol. 22, no. 1–9. Pakistan Herald Publications. 1969.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Saiqa (1968 film)". Complete Index To World Film website. Archived from the original on 26 June 2020. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Saiqa (1968 film)". Pakistan Film Magazine website. Archived from the original on 1 July 2017. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  6. ^ "Saiqa" shooting at Swat. Vol. 20. Pakistan Herald Publications. 26 August 1968. p. 32. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  7. ^ "THE NIGAR AWARDS 1957 - 1971". The Hot Spot. Archived from the original on 3 August 2008.
  8. ^ "Pakistan's "Oscars"; The Nigar Awards". The Hot Spot Film Reviews website. Archived from the original on 13 June 2020. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  9. ^ "یومِ وفات: لئیق اختر کی فلم "صاعقہ" نے 9 نگار ایوارڈ اپنے نام کیے تھے". ARY News (in Urdu). 28 June 2021.