Neelo

Born into a Catholic family, she adopted a Muslim name, Abida Riaz after marrying a Pakistani filmmaker, Riaz Shahid in 1965.{{cite web | title=Neelo - the iconic filmstar of yesteryears | website=Daily Times | date=2019-05-29 | url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/403175/neelo-the-iconic-filmstar-of-yesteryears/ | access-date=2021-11-01}}

Neelo was born in Bhera, British India.{{cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1605933|title=IN MEMORIAM: NEELO'S UNCHAINED SPIRIT|website=Dawn Newspaper|date=February 27, 2022}} She did her primary schooling at Kinnaird High School, Lahore.

In 1965, at the peak of her popularity, she was summoned by Nawab Malik Amir Mohammad Khan, then Governor of West Pakistan, to dance on stage for the Shah of Iran during his official visit to Pakistan; but she refused to do it for her own reasons. Harassed and threatened, Neelo faced dire consequences for refusing to obey official orders. She was allegedly gang molested and attempted suicide on the way to the Governor's House and was taken to a hospital instead, where the doctors saved her life.

News of the incident generated widespread public backlash against the Nawab. The renowned leftist poet Habib Jalib, on hearing of the incident, expressed his anguish in his poem over her attempted suicide: "Tu kay nawaqif-e-aadab-e-ghulami hae abhi...raqs zanjeer pehan ker bhi kya jata hae" (meaning: "unaware art thou yet of the rites of enslavement...dance can be performed even while enchained".) Later this poem was used in the film Zarqa (1969) with slight changes in the words and ended up becoming a super-hit film song in Pakistan. The film song became much more relevant, effective, and popular because it was picturised on Neelo herself and was based on similar real-life events in Neelo's life. She also won the Best Actress Nigar Award for film Zarqa (1969). It had superb music by Wajahat Attre and was sung by Mehdi Hassan. Film Zarqa (1969) was produced and directed by Riaz Shahid who also wrote its screenplay. Neelo helped her husband, Riaz Shahid, produce this film and it became the box office hit film of her career.{{cite web|url=http://cineplot.com/neelo/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111011065209/http://cineplot.com/neelo/|title=Profile of actress Neelo |website=Cineplot.com website|date=27 September 2009|archive-date=11 October 2011|url-status=dead|access-date=23 April 2022}}

Born Cynthia Alexander Fernandes, Neelo was the only Pakistani actress to feature in a major Hollywood film, "Bhowani Junction," starring Ava Gardner and Stewart Granger, which also marked her film debut. She later entered the Pakistani film industry as an extra, worked her way up to second lead roles, and eventually became a leading lady due to her exceptional talent.

"Zarqa" became Pakistan's first diamond jubilee film and marked the pinnacle of Neelo's career, being hailed as a milestone in Pakistani cinema.

The couple named their first child Zarqa in honor of the film followed by two sons Sarosh and Armaghan as known as Shaan . Riaz Shahid died from blood cancer in October 1972.[https://www.dawn.com/news/1141556 Socialist cinema: Habib Jalib and Riaz Shahid in Neelo's film Zarqa (1969) on Dawn (newspaper)] Published 5 November 2014, Retrieved 18 July 2018 She is the mother of film actor Shaan Shahid.{{Cite web|date=2021-01-30|title=Veteran actress Neelo Begum dies of cancer|url=https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2021/01/31/veteran-actress-neelo-begum-dies-of-cancer/|access-date=2021-01-31|website=Pakistan Today|language=en-US}}

She died from blood cancer on 30 January 2021 in Lahore.{{cite web|url=https://arynews.tv/pakistani-actress-neelo-begum-passes-away|title=Vetreran Pakistani actress Neelo Begum passes away|website=ARY News|date=January 30, 2021}}

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}

• 1956 Bhowani Junction
• 1956: Sabira
• 1957: Anjaam{{cite book |last=Gazdar |first=Mushtaq |author-link=Mushtaq Gazdar |year=1997 |title=Pakistan Cinema, 1947-1997 |publisher=Oxford University Press |page=246 |isbn=0-19-577817-0}}
• 1957: Bholey Khan
• 1957: Pasban{{citation needed|date=April 2023}}
• 1957: Sehti
• 1957: Saat Lakh
• 1957: Yakke Wali
• 1957: Aankh Ka Nashah
• 1958: Akhri Nishan
• 1958: Changez Khan
• 1958: ''Darbar
• 1958: Jaan-e-Bahaar
• 1958: Jatti
• 1958: Kachian Kaliyan
• 1958: Mumtaz
• 1958: Nayi Larki{{cite book |last=Gazdar |first=Mushtaq |author-link=Mushtaq Gazdar |year=1997 |title=Pakistan Cinema, 1947-1997 |publisher=Oxford University Press |page=247 |isbn=0-19-577817-0}}
• 1958: Neya Daur
• 1958: Sheikh Chilli
• 1958: Zehr-e-Ishq
• 1959: Koel
• 1959: Lalkaar
• 1959: Lukkan Mitti
• 1959: Neend
• 1959: Shama
• 1959: Shera
• 1959: Sola Aanay
• 1959: Suchhey Moti
• 1959: Nagin
• 1959: Saathi
• 1959: Yaar Beli
• 1960: Alladin Ka Beta
• 1960: Ayaz
• 1960: Insaaf
• 1960: Khyber Mail
• 1960: Manzil
• 1960: Neelofar
• 1960: Shehzadi
• 1960: Street 77
• 1961: Bara Bajje{{cite book |last=Gazdar |first=Mushtaq |author-link=Mushtaq Gazdar |year=1997 |title=Pakistan Cinema, 1947-1997 |publisher=Oxford University Press |page=250 |isbn=0-19-577817-0}}
• 1961: Do Raste{{cite book |last=Gazdar |first=Mushtaq |author-link=Mushtaq Gazdar |year=1997 |title=Pakistan Cinema, 1947-1997 |publisher=Oxford University Press |page=249 |isbn=0-19-577817-0}}
• 1961: Subah Kahin Sham Kahin
• 1962: Azra
• 1962: Banjaran
• 1962: Barsaat mein
• 1962: Darwaza
• 1962: Dosheeza
• 1962: Ghunghat
• 1962: Husn-o-Ishq
• 1962: Unche Mahal
• 1963: Barat
• 1963: Daaman
• 1963: Ishq par zor nahin
• 1963: Kala Aadmi
• 1963: Mouj Mela
• 1963: Qatal ke baad
• 1963: Shikwa
• 1964: Beti
• 1964: Daachi
• 1964: Gehra Daagh
• 1964: Jugni
• 1964: Khyber Pass
• 1964: Mera Mahi
• 1964: Nehle peh Dehla
• 1964: Sher di Bachi
• 1965: Fareb
• 1965: Jeedar
• 1965: Raqqasa
• 1966: Abba Jee
• 1966: Ann Parh
• 1966: Badnaam
• 1966: Chughalkhor
• 1966: Laado
• 1966: Mr. Allah Ditta
• 1966: Naghma.e-Sehra
• 1966: Nizam Lohar
• 1966: Payal Ki Jhankar
• 1967: Chattan
• 1967: Dil Da Jani
• 1967: Neeli Baar
• 1967: Ravi Paar
• 1967: Sham Savera
• 1967: Yaar Maar
• 1968: Jag Beeti
• 1968: Lala Rukh
• 1968: Paristan
• 1968: Wohti
• 1969: Aukha Jatt
• 1969: Zarqa
• 1971: Karishma
• 1974: Khatarnak
• 1974: Bahisht (producer only)
• 1975: Athra
• 1975: Balwant Kaur
• 1975: Dhan Jigra Maa Da
• 1975: Heera Phumman
• 1975: Izzat
• 1975: Jailor te Qaidi
• 1975: Mera Naa Patey Khan
• 1975: Rajjo
• 1975: Sir Da Badla
• 1975: Sultana Daku
• 1975: Watan Iman
• 1976: Ayyash
• 1976: Gangu Puttar Maa Da
• 1976: Jatt Kurrian Taun Darda
• 1976: Khaufnaak
• 1976: Kil Kil Mera Naa
• 1976: Pindiwal
• 1976: Wardat
• 1977: Aj Diyan Kurrian
• 1977: Akhri Goli
• 1977: Danka
• 1977: Jurm main keeta si
• 1977: Malikzada
• 1977: Mere Badshah
• 1977: Sadqay Teri Mout Tun
• 1977: Tera vi jawab nahin
• 1978: Chamman Khan
• 1978: Gharib da baal
• 1978: Ghunda
• 1978: Haidar Daler
• 1978: Inqalab
• 1978: Mazi, haal aur mustaqbil
• 1978: Nazrana
• 1978: Sharif Shehri
• 1978: Tax
• 1979: General Bakht Khan
• 1979: Mout meri zindagi
• 1979: Order
• 1980: Chotay Nawab
• 1980: Heera Puttar
• 1982: Khatra 440
• 1989: Barood ki Chhaon
• 1990: Bulandi
• 1990: Jur'at
• 2013: Waar

{{div col end}}

Actress and model Iqra Aziz held a tribute in her memory on International Women's Day and described her a very fine actress, successful individual, an amazing wife, and a wonderful mother.{{cite web|url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/732531/iqra-aziz-pays-tribute-to-neelo-begum-on-womens-day|title=Iqra Aziz pays tribute to Neelo Begum on Women's Day|website=Daily Times|date=November 17, 2021}} The Government of Pakistan named a street and intersection after her in Lahore on August 16, 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1640853|title=Lahore streets, intersections to be named after famous personalities|website=Dawn News|date=September 21, 2021}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{IMDb name|0624194}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20191101152717/https://www.citwf.com/person316910.htm Filmography of actress Neelo on Complete Index To World Film website Archived]

{{Navboxes

|title = Awards for Neelo

|list =

{{NigarAwardBestActress|1961-1980}}

{{NigarAwardBestSupportingActress}}

{{SpecialAwardfromNigarAwards}}

}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Neelo}}

Category:1940 births

Category:Actresses in Pashto cinema

Category:2021 deaths

Category:Pakistani film actresses

Category:Nigar Award winners

Category:People from Sargodha District

Category:20th-century Pakistani actresses

Category:Recipients of Sitara-i-Imtiaz

Category:21st-century Pakistani actresses

Category:Pakistani former Christians

Category:Converts to Sunni Islam from Catholicism

Category:Actresses in Urdu cinema

Category:Actresses in Punjabi cinema