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Legendary film star Neelo passes away

Legendary film star Neelo passes away

Her son Shaan Shahid announced her demise.
Updated 31 Jan, 2021

Veteran actor Neelo Begum has passed away at the age of 80.

Her son, film star Shaan Shahid, announced her demise. "It is with the saddest of heart I share the departure of my mother as she has gone to her creator," he wrote on Twitter.

"I don’t know what to write as words have become empty [...] just like the world without her is so meaningless. "My success and my failures both need her," the actor said in a tweet the next day. "The only hope that is still alive is to meet her one day beyond the boundaries of life. Love you forever."

Among the many who mourned her loss and offered condolences were Prime Minister Imran Khan, entertainer Fakhr-e-Alam, host Waseem Badami, PTI's Shehryar Afridi, and journalist Fifi Haroon.

A legendary superstar

Born Cynthia Alexander Fernandes, Neelo had the distinction of being the only Pakistani heroine to have worked in a major Hollywood movie, Bhowani Junction (starring Ava Gardner and Stewart Granger), which incidentally also marked her film debut.

She then joined Pakistani films as an 'extra', worked hard and graduated to doing second lead roles and ultimately rose to the position of leading lady by the sheer dint of her immense talent.

Riaz Shahid, the legendary writer known for meaningful concepts and patriotic films, married Neelo under circumstances no less intense than a Riaz Shahid film.

Neelo and Riaz Shahid
Neelo and Riaz Shahid

In March 1965, the Shah of Iran was on an official visit to West Pakistan. The Nawab of Kalabagh, the then Governor, asked Neelo — who was then at the height of her popularity — to dance before the Shah.

Allegedly, armed persons were even sent to her home to abduct her, yet she resisted and attempted suicide on the way to the Governor’s House. She was taken to a hospital where doctors managed to save her life. The film fraternity got involved and shut down work at the film studios for a day while the media gave the incident extensive coverage.

Leftist poet Habib Jalib immortalised the incident in his poem:

Too ke nawaqif-i-aadab-i-shahenshahi thee
Raqs zanjeer pehen kar bhee kiya jata hai

Impressed by her bravery, Riaz proposed to Neelo and they got married in 1965 after she converted to Islam and changed her name to Abida Riaz. The husband-wife duo made a film Zarqa on the Palestinian issue in 1969, where Riaz used Habib Jalib’s poem, showing an ‘angraiz’ (foreigner) asking the leading lady (played by Neelo) to dance against her will.

Zarqa went on to become Pakistan's first diamond jubilee film and Neelo's role in it proved to be her crowning glory. The film is regarded as one of the finest achievements of Pakistan's cinema history.

Riaz and Abida even named their first born Zarqa. Riaz died of blood cancer in October 1972.

Comments

Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Jan 30, 2021 11:13pm
What a grave, gruesome, grim, gross, gigantic and great tragedy? Inna Lilla Hay Waa Inna Illehey Rajayoon.
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Buttjee Jan 30, 2021 11:15pm
Rest in Peace ...... She was one the most shining stars of our era .....never knew the story behind her ...Respects to the great lady. May Shaan and his family members have the patience to bear this loss considering their father died in 1972 too.
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Rafique Jan 30, 2021 11:45pm
Sad that Neelo passed away Neelo was one of the icon of Pakistan film industry May her soul rest in eternal peace. Aameen!
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masood wazir Jan 31, 2021 12:20am
Very sad to hear about this news as she was great at her time as well as all times.
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Ibrahim S Jan 31, 2021 12:50am
“In March 1965, the Shah of Iran was on an official visit to West Pakistan. The Nawab of Kalabagh, the then Governor, asked Neelo — who was then at the height of her popularity — to dance before the Shah.” Did anything change since then . We entertained our masters in any forms , let it be the bird hunting or infatuation of spoiled head of an Arab state for another actor Barbra Sharif
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Zak Jan 31, 2021 12:55am
Melo was a good actress and very popular in the 1960s
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Muzammil Hussain Jan 31, 2021 01:47am
Rest in Peace. Bro lady
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A Khan Jan 31, 2021 02:07am
Our legend, may you rest in piece.
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SAk Jan 31, 2021 02:18am
Inna lillahe wa inna elaihe rajeoon
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Nasim Zaidi Jan 31, 2021 02:39am
RIP your legasey goes on its a big loss.
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Toni Jan 31, 2021 03:05am
Bless you and your family and what a gift you left us in Shaan, gone to be an angel.
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AZAM AKBAR Jan 31, 2021 03:06am
Inna Lillaahe Wa Inna Ilaiehe Rajeoun.
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Zulfiqar Jan 31, 2021 03:33am
Inna lillahi wa inna illahi rajioon. A truly great lady.
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Amjad Khan Jan 31, 2021 03:45am
A great actress. Was always a joy to watch her. Rest In Peace.My sincere condolences to Shan and entire family.
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Saeeds Jan 31, 2021 04:23am
RIP great woman stand against against evil at dark time.
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ghilzai Jan 31, 2021 05:44am
RIP, she had beautiful smile!
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Swami Bodhijagran Jan 31, 2021 06:20am
Please accept our heartfelt condolences on the loss of your loved one. Words can't express how saddened we are to hear of your loss.
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momtaz Jan 31, 2021 06:31am
Inalilahiwaina'alaihiragiuun, rest in peace ma'am
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GHAZANFAR ABBAS Jan 31, 2021 06:48am
RIP
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Salman Jan 31, 2021 07:54am
Thank you for the great writeup.
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PakCanuck Jan 31, 2021 08:11am
I didnt realize that Neelo had such an impressive career. Specially the incident where she refused to dance for the Shah of Iran shows the moral strength of her character May she rest in peace
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Amjad Durrani Engineer USA Jan 31, 2021 08:12am
R.I.P
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P Nag Jan 31, 2021 08:41am
Zarqa-saw it at Dilshaad Sylhet, now in Bangladesh. Never forget her acting along with Allauddin, who was also a fevarate. May Almighty bless her soul with eternal peace.
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aijaz gul Jan 31, 2021 09:02am
Prayers.RIP
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Just Saying Jan 31, 2021 09:47am
Inna Lillahe wa Inna Elaihe Rajeoun. Deepest condolences.
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NK Ali Jan 31, 2021 11:27am
DWN: Inna Lillahe Wa Inna Ilaihe Rajeoon. Ameen. RIP Madam Neelo. Pakistan and your son Shaan will miss you dearly. Salams
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Syed A. Mateen Jan 31, 2021 11:31am
Hope the sitting government in recognition to her performance for film industry and more particularly her performance in the Urdu film “Zarqa” in which she acted as Palestinian girl may announce posthumous pride of performance award to Neelo during the year 2021.
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KAZIM REZA Jan 31, 2021 11:56am
I remember the great lady, her achievement, one of those is Zerka, the great film glorifies dignity of haunting people of occupied Palestine, her indomitable courage -not to dance before a foreign guest at a governor's house and upholding her dignity. She never betrayed her beloved country and of course a loving mother and a pleasant wife. I believe the great actress Neelo will get the due place in the other world. Amen.
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Ifti Malik Jan 31, 2021 12:29pm
RIP. Many prayers for the departed soul.
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Masood Hasan Jan 31, 2021 01:18pm
During late sixties she was known as icon to resist against dictatorships. She prefer to die instead of surrender. Riaz Shahid and Neelo (Abida Riaz) were real heroes of our society.
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Mushfiq Jan 31, 2021 01:24pm
@P Nag G Indeed, Zarqa was a masterpiece! The dynamic duo of Riaz Shahid and Nello produced some of the most memorable films! Back in 1950s and 1960s, East Pakistani film makers produced some of great Urdu films!
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RK Jan 31, 2021 02:47pm
@Ibrahim S Governor also require to seek apology for the evil deeds of his predecessors including Kalabagh and Khar and others.
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Surinder Gill Jan 31, 2021 05:51pm
Deepest condolences to family of great beautiful artist. RIP.
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Mushfiq Jan 31, 2021 06:57pm
Indeed, she was a lady of character who stood against Waderas of the times!
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well-wisher Jan 31, 2021 07:24pm
RIP.
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KAZIM REZA Feb 01, 2021 02:24pm
@RK How they would seek an apology. Are they alive! And is that Neelo is alive! Time already have put them in their right places by the course of the event!
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DR KHURSHID A BABER Feb 04, 2021 04:12am
I HAVE ALREADY SENT MY CONDOLENCE OF THIS GREAT STAR
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