Zarqa (film)
{{short description|1969 Pakistani Urdu film}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Use Pakistani English|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Zarqa
| image = Zarqa.jpg
| alt =
| caption =
| native_name =
| director = Riaz Shahid
| producer = Riaz Shahid
| writer = Riaz Shahid
| screenplay = Riaz Shahid
| story =
| based_on = Based on the life of Zarqa{{efn|Zarqa was a Palestinian freedom activist}}
| starring = {{Unbulleted list|Neelo|Alauddin|Ejaz Durrani|Saqi|Nasira|Talish}}
| narrator =
| music = Rashid Attre
Wajahat Attre
| cinematography =
| editing =
| studio =
| distributor =
| released = {{Film date|df=y|1969|10|17|Pakistan|ref1=}}
| runtime =
| country = Pakistan
| language = Urdu
| budget =
| gross =
}}
Zarqa is a 1969 Pakistani epic historical drama film directed, produced and written by Riaz Shahid while the music is composed by Rashid Attre and Wajahat Attre. It features Neelo, Alauddin, Ejaz Durrani, Saqi and Nasira as protagonist characters.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/in-depth/film-special/|title=In-Depth - Film Special|website=DAWN.COM}} It is based on the life of Zarqa, a Palestinian dancer girl and a freedom activist, who killed herself for the liberation of Palestine involving Israeli-occupied territories and Palestinian liberation movement.{{Cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/article/64693/16-movies-that-prove-lollywood-and-bollywood-have-been-empowering-women-since-1957|title=16 movies that prove Lollywood and Bollywood have been empowering women since 1957|date=8 March 2018|website=The Express Tribune}} It also addresses a real event of Neelo when she was forcibly invited by Nawab Malik Amir Mohammad Khan, the governor of West Pakistan to his office to perform a stage dance during the 1965's official visit of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi to Pakistan.{{Cite web|url=https://scroll.in/reel/832134/sound-of-lollywood-to-palestine-with-love-from-the-great-pakistani-star-neelo|title=Sound of Lollywood: To Palestine, with love from the great Pakistani star Neelo|first=Nate|last=Rabe|website=Scroll.in}}
It was termed as a propaganda film at that time, primarily due to its depiction of the Palestinian freedom of movement, and lately when it was attempted to distribute it in Middle East through a guerilla organisation of the Palestine. In 2002, the film was featured in British Film Institute's poll (both critics and viewers' polls) of "Top Ten Pakistani Films of all times".
- {{cite web |url=http://www.bfi.org.uk/features/imagineasia/guide/poll/pakistan |title=Critics poll: Top 10 Pakistani Films |year=2002 |work=British Film Institute|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081012005242/http://www.bfi.org.uk/features/imagineasia/guide/poll/pakistan/|archive-date=12 October 2008 |access-date=2 February 2023}}
- {{cite web |url=http://www.bfi.org.uk/features/imagineasia/guide/poll/userpoll/pakistan.html |title=User Poll: Pakistani Top 10 |year=2002 |work=British Film Institute|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011064058/http://www.bfi.org.uk/features/imagineasia/guide/poll/userpoll/pakistan.html|archive-date=11 October 2008 |access-date=2 February 2023}}
Release
The film was released on October 17, 1969. In 2017, the Lok Virsa Museum, dedicated to keep historical film records screened the film. It is recognized as the first diamond jubilee film in the history of Pakistani cinema.{{Cite web|url=https://irshadgul.com/pakistans-first-diamond-jubilee-film-zarqa-ig-news/|title=Pakistan’s first Diamond Jubilee film "Zarqa" – IG News|date=18 April 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.app.com.pk/culture-heritage/lok-virsa-to-screen-film-zarqa-on-july-29/|title=Lok Virsa to screen film 'Zarqa' on July 29|date=25 July 2017}} Primarily known for music blockbuster lyrics from the poems of Habib Jalib, Zarqa filmmakers have reportedly introduced a "propaganda-laden" story in the film. By the latter, the film director made controversial attempts when he offered film distribution of Zarqa for the Middle East through Al Fatah, a guerrilla organisation of Palestinian.{{Cite web|url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/149572/seven-unforgettable-daring-pakistani-films/|title=Seven unforgettable, daring Pakistani films|date=30 November 2017}}
Plot
The film revolves around an Arabian dancer girl Zarqa who joins Palestine Liberation Organization and commits suicide aimed at to harm Israeli Army deployed in the State of Palestine.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailyo.in/voices/emergency-modi-says-congress-banned-kishore-kumar-pakistan-neelo-zarqa-palestine-movie/story/1/25166.html|title=Why Modi's Emergency jibe made me think of actor Neelo's protest in Pakistan|website=dailyo.in}} Film story starts with an old man who addresses a public gathering in 1969 and a group of Palestinian people listens to his story about a woman, Zarqa while a Palestinian leader Shabaan Lutfi recruits the people to the resistance movement.{{Cite web|url=https://thekashmirimages.com/2018/04/24/misrepresentation-of-culture-in-pakistan-cinema-part-v/|title=Misrepresentation of Culture in Pakistan Cinema-Part V|first=Dr Amjad Ayub Mirza|last=Mirza}}
Cast
Soundtrack
{{Track listing
| headline = Zarqa
| extra_column = Singer (s){{Cite web|url=https://www.urdupoint.com/en/showbiz/lok-virsa-to-screen-film-zarqa-on-july-29-166668.html|title=Lok Virsa To Screen Film Zarqa On July 29|website=UrduPoint}}
| total_length =
| all_writing =
| all_lyrics =
| all_music = Wajahat Attray and Rashid Attre
| title_width =
| writing_width =
| music_width =
| lyrics_width =
| extra_width =
| title1 = Raqs Zanjeer Pehan Kar
| note1 =
| writer1 =
| lyrics1 = Habib Jalib
| music1 =
| extra1 = Mehdi Hassan, Naseem Begum
| length1 =
}}
- A Gham-e-Jahan Naach, Khalq-e-BeZaban Naach, Naach, Naach, Naach... Singer(s): Mala, Munir Hussain
- Azadi Ki Roshani Lo... Singer(s): Munir Hussain, Mala
- Hamen Yaqeen Hay, Dhalay Gi Ik Din.. A Falastine... Singer(s): Munir Hussain, Naseem Begum & Co.
- Jalti Aag Ko Shama Bana Kar Raqs Karay Parwana... Singer(s): Munir Hussain, Mala & Co.
- Main Phool Baichnay Ayi, Main Tor Kay Bulbul Ka Dil... Singer(s): Naseem Begum
- Raqs, Zanjeer Pehan Kar Bhi Kiya Jata Hay... Singer(s): Mehdi Hassan
- Ya Abbi, Ya Rafiq.. Qais Hay Tu, Tu Hay Sehra, Tu Hay Mehmal... Singer(s): Naseem Begum & Co.
- Ya Zarqa.. Mera Dil Tha BeQarar, Tha Tumhara Intezar... Singer(s): Munir Hussain, Naseem Begum
Awards and recognition
- Nigar Awards in 1969 for 'Best Film', 'Best Director', 'Best Script', 'Best Actress', 'Best Lyrics' and 'Best Male Singer'.{{cite web|url=https://www.desimoviesreviews.com/index.php/2017/11/24/pakistans-oscars-nigar-awards/ |title=6 Nigar Awards won by Zarqa (film) in 1969 (scroll down to read the year 1969)|author=Swami Ji|date= 24 November 2017|website=Film Reviews on The HotspotOnline website|access-date=29 December 2020}}
References
{{reflist}}
Notes
{{notelist}}
External links
- {{IMDb title|1464797}}
{{NigarAwardBestFilm|1961-1980}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Zarqa}}
Category:1960s Urdu-language films
Category:1960s historical drama films
Category:Films scored by Rashid Attre
Category:Pakistani historical drama films
Category:Films set in Pakistan
Category:Films shot in Pakistan
Category:Epic films based on actual events
Category:Drama films based on actual events