November 2nd, 2010

Lollywood – Bollywood… the never ending bond

Here are some well known and not so well known personalities from Lollywood and Bollywood who are/were related to each other either through blood or marriage…

Dilip Kumar and Nasir Khan

Dilip Kumar can be considered as one of the living Legends of Bollywood. His name needs no formal introduction. His brother Nasir Khan played the lead in Lollywood’s maiden production Teri Yaad (1948), opposite Asha Posley. He also worked in Shahida (1949), opposite Shamim. Later, he left Pakistan and settled in India and appeared as the leading man and then a character actor in many Hindi films including Aagosh (1953), Nagina (1951), Angaarey (1954), Lal Kunwar (1952), Gunga Jamnuna (1961) etc.

Nawabzadi Zubaida and her niece Jamila Razzaq

Zubaida was the leading lady of the first ever talkie film made in India – Alam Ara (1931).  Daughter of the Nawab of Sachin, her mom Fatima Begum was probably the first female director of sub-continent. Fatima Begum had three daughters, Zubaida, Sultana and Shehzadi. All three of them were popular actresses of silent era.

While Zubaida decided to stay back in India, her sister Sultana migrated to Pakistan and married Seth Razzaq. Their daughter Jamila Razzaq became popular Pakistani heroine and Ishq Per Zour Nahin (1963) could be considered as one of the best films of her career.

Salma Agha and her uncle Raj Kapoor

Although not related by blood, Raj Kapoor considers Salma Agha’s mom Zarina Agha as his cousin. Salma Agha’s grandmother Anwari Begum was involved with music director/actor Rafiq Ghaznavi and had a daughter named Zarina. Later Anwari married Ahmed Suleman, and he accepted Nasreen as his own daughter and raised her as his own. Ahmed’s real name before converting to Islam was Jugal Kishore Mehra, and he and Prithviraj Kapoor’s wife Ramsarni Mehra were brothers and sisters.

It is said that Salma used her Uncle’s Raj Kapoor connection to be casted in B.R. Chopra’s superhit film Nikaah (1982).

Kumar and Pramila

Kumar – the ziddi sangtrash of Mughal-e-Azam (1960) [probably his most famous role], was popular character artiste of 40s and 50s Bollywood. Kumar migrated to Pakistan in 1963 and appeared in many Lollywood’s productions including Tauba (1964), where he played the role of drunkard to hilt.

He married Jewish actress Pramila, who was also the first Miss India. Later they got divorced and Pramila married Parsi filmmaker Nari Gadhali. Kumar’s daughter from Pramila, Naqi Ali, was one of the most stunning beauties of her time who also participated in Miss India contest.

Jamil and his daughters Farah and Tabu

Jamil played leading parts in Lollywood productions including Gharnata (1971), but never became successful film hero. However, his daughters Farah and Tabu (Tabassam Naaz) became quite successful and Tabu can be considered as one of the finest actresses Bollywood has in recent years.

Rehman and his nephew Faisal Rehman

Rehman was prominent leading man and villain of 40s and 50s Hindi films. Some of the famous films on his credit include Badi Behan (1949), Pyar ki Jeet (1948), Pyasa (1957), Chaudhvin Ka Chand (1960) etc.

His nephew Faisal Rehman became the famous leading man of 80s Lollywood. He started his career opposite Shabnam in Nahin Abhi Nahin (1980) and later successfully formed a popular screen pair with Babra Sharif.

Mohsin Khan and Reena Roy

Reena Roy’s was one of the most successful Hindi film actresses in 70s and 80s. She married Mohsin Khan – Pakistani cricketer. They got divorced later, but not before they had a daughter named Jannat. Mohsin Khan later appeared in many Lollywood films as the leading man including Hathi Mera Sathi (1993) and Beta (1994).

Himalayawala and Amirbai Karnataki

Himalayawala was famous Lollywood villain. He started his career before partition, and appeared in many famous films including Humayun (1945) and Elaan (1947). Later he migrated to Pakistan and became popular villain/character actor of Lollywood films made during 40s and 50s. His famous films in Pakistan include Anarkali (1958) and Gumnaam (1954).

Amirbai Karnataki was celebrated Bollywood playback singer and actress. Her most popular film as playback singer was Kismat (1943). In 1930s, she was associated with, and probably married to, Himalaywala. Some sources say he was abusive to her. Therefore, she took divorce from him and later married Badri Kaanchwala, the editor of Paras.

Miscellaneous