Shabana (1976 film)

Infobox Film
name = Shabana


image_size = 110px
caption = Film poster of "Shabana"
director = Nazar Shabab
producer = A. Hameed
writer =
narrator =
starring = Shahid
Babra Sharif
Waheed Murad
Nanna
Tamanna
Masood Akhtar
music = M. Ashraf
cinematography =
editing =
distributor = Nazar Arts Productions
released = November 12, 1976
runtime = approx. 3 hours
country = Pakistan
language = Urdu
budget =
amg_id =
imdb_id =

"Shabana" is a block buster Pakistani Urdu colour film produced by A. Hameed and directed by Nazar Shabab. The film casted Shahid, Babra Sharif and Waheed Murad. The film was released on November 12, 1976 in Pakistani cinemas. The film completed more than 100 weeks on Pakistani cinemas and became a 'Diamond Jubilee film'. During the same year two more Diamond Jubilee Urdu films were released, i.e., Nadeem's "Talash" and Rahat Kazmi's "Aaj aur kal". [http://mazhar.dk/film/database/movies/diamond_jubilee.htm] "Talash" was directed by Pervaiz Malik. This film was released during the 'struggling days of Waheed'. In "Shabana", Waheed Murad had been casted in a secondary role. For Babra, the film gave a boost to her career and she won her first Nigar award as the best actress. Before that in 1975 she had received a Special Nigar award for the film "Mera naam hai mohabbat". The best actress award was taken away by Shabnam for the film "Zeenat".

Release

"Shabana" was released by Nazar Arts Productions on Pakistani cinemas on November 12, 1976. The film ran continuously 38 weeks on main cinema and 101 other cinemas in Karachi. [http://mazhar.dk/film/database/movies/waheedmurad_films.htm] The film created a history when it became the first Pakistani film to cross the double 'Diamond Jubilee' barrier i.e. a 200-week theatrical run in all over Pakistan. [http://www.thehotspotonline.com/moviespot/bolly/reviews/s/Shabana.htm]

Plot

The story of the film is based on two sisters Shabana and Farzana (both the roles played by Babra Sharif). Both sisters have similar faces but have different personality traits. Farzana is a reserved and dutiful girl, whereas, her sister Shabana is a lively, enthusiastic and bubbly type girl. Shahid played a role of a rich man's spoilt son and a playboy. Waheed Murad played a role of a suspicious husband.

The story starts when Shahid trapped Farzana (his office secretary) into a secret marriage which is only attended by his closest aides and a dubious "maulvi". After having consummation Shahid informs his stunned bride that her services are no longer required and when she objects, he tosses her out of the apartment's window plunging her to death. But she survives and when she returns, her mother and Shabana are horrified to hear her story. Shabana decided to take revenge on the scumbag Shahid, who deceived her saintly, legless and now also pregnant sister. Shahid reels in horror when Shabana returns to the office pretending to be a resurrected Farzana and resumes her duties as secretary.

Just about the same time, Shahid's younger brother Waheed Murad arrives home and finds his elder brother behaving in a rather abnormal, flustered manner. Now Shabana's plan kicks into gear and she begins to blackmail Shahid about the attempted murder and begins to make him pay for the cruelty that he inflicted on her (actually on her sister). Meanwhile Waheed and Shabana fall in love with each other and both get married. One day, just when Shabana has tortured Shahid sufficiently by singing to him and behaving like a punch drunk retarded dwarf, Waheed overhears them and assumes that they are having a raging affair and were married before he met her. Finally, in a shattering climax, all is revealed and injustices are addressed.

Music

The music and the songs, esp. "Tere siva dunya mein..." and "Jo dard mila, apno se mila..." of the film became very popular. The music is composed by M. Ashraf and the songs are written by Tasleem Fazli. An important thing to note is that most of the songs are picturised on Waheed Murad, who has played a 'secondary role' or 'side-hero' in the film. The songs are sung by legendary "ghazal" singer Mehdi Hassan and Nahid Akhtar.

*"Jo dard mila, apno se mila..." by Mehdi Hassan
*"Bewafa kon hai, kon harjai hai..." by Mehdi Hassan
*"Yeh tera nazuk badan..." by Mehdi Hassan
*"Tere siwa dunia mein..." by Mehdi Hassan
*"Tere siwa dunia mein..." by Naheed Akhtar

Awards

Shabana is the second highest recipient of Nigar film awards for 1976. [http://www.thehotspotonline.com/moviespot/bolly/Lollywood/NigarAwards2.htm] They are listed as below:

Reference