Heer Ranjha - Pakistani film from 1970

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Urdu Punjabi articleson various film topics

A feature film on "Waris Shah" by Inayat Hussain Bhatti in 1964

Syed Waris Shah (1722-98) was born in Jandiala Sher Khan, District Sheikhupura, Punjab (Pakistan). He was a consummate artiste, deeply learned in Islamic and domestic cultural lore. His verse is a treasure-trove of Punjabi phrases, idioms and sayings. His minute and realistic depiction of each detail of Punjabi life and the political situation in the 1700s remains unique. Of all his works, his version of the legendary romance of Heer is the most outstanding. Heer Waris Shah (or The Romance of Heer Ranjha, written in 1766) is believed to be based on the true account of two star-crossed lovers, who lived during the 16th century. It is also said that Waris Shah sublimated his own unrequited love for a girl (Bhag Bhari) in writing the romance. The amazing poetic mould that he worked within has not been bettered by any of his successors to date. His other famous books are "Ibrat Nama" and "Ushtar Nama". Waris Shah's mausoleum is today a pilgrimage site, especially for those in love.

"Heer Ranjha"
- a super hit musical film by Masood Pervez and Ejaz in 1970

"Heer" - a super hit musical film by Nazir in 1955

Heer was an extremely beautiful woman born in a wealthy family "Sayyal". Ranjha (Teedo) was the youngest of four brothers, after a confrontation with his brothers, Ranjha left home and travels around and comes to Heers village, where he found his love, Heer, who offered him a job to take care of there cattle.

Having met Ranjha, Heer became mesmerised by the way Ranjha played the flute (Wanjli) and eventually fell in love with him. They would meet each other secrectly for many years until they were caught by her jealous uncle "Kaido" and parents (Chuchak & Malki). Heer was forced to married to another man "Saida Khera", with the full permission of "Mullah" (priest), who was well-payed by Kaido.

Firdous in Heer Ranjha" border=0> Firdous in Heer Ranjha" border=0> Ajmal, Najmul Hassan and Salma <a href= Mumtaz in Heer Ranjha" border=0> Ajmal and <a href=
Firdous, <a href="http://mazhar.dk/film/stars/actors/actors.htm#ajmal">Ajmal</a>, Najmul Hassan, Salma Mumtaz and Firdous as Heer">
Firdous as Heer
being emotionally scared he voluntarally became a Jogi. Reciting the name of the Lord "Allakh Naranjjan" on his travels around the Punjab he found the village, where he was reunited with Heer. They escaped (also with Saida Kheras sister "Sehti", who was in love with "Murad Baluch" - an another famous love story of Punjabi Culture) but was caught by Maharajahs police. Maharajah punshid him to jail but same night whole city was in flames. Maharajah freed Ranjha and permitted him to marry with Heer.

They came back to Heer's Village, where Heers parents agreed to their marriage. On the wedding day, Heer's jealous uncle, "Kaido" poisoned her so the wedding wouldn't take place. Having heard the news Ranjha rushed to aid Heer but was too late as she died. Ranjha becoming broken hearted once again and died on her grave.

Ranjha (Ejaz) with his flute and Heer (Firdous)
Film title with Heer sung by Noor Jehan

Heer forced to marry Saida Khera...
Actors are: <a href="http://mazhar.dk/film/stars/actors/actors.htm#ajmal">Ajmal</a>, Munawar Zarif, Gulrez, Zulfi, Firdous, Salma Mumtaz and Najmul Hassan
Qaido (<a href="http://mazhar.dk/film/stars/actors/actors.htm#ajmal">Ajmal</a>), Najmal-ul-Hassan (father) and Salma Mumtaz (mother)

The Story of Heer Ranjha actually belongs to a Punjabi poet and shopkeeper Damoder Das, who was living in Jhang, Punjab (Pakistan) in the 16th century. According to him, he was witness of this true story.

Three main films on this story in Pakistan

Roles
Heer
Ranjha
Sehti
Saida Khera
Malki
Choochak
Khera
Bhangi
Mahraja
Murad
KAIDO Heer
Sawarn Lata
Inayat Bhatti
Zeanat
Nazar
Rekha
Muzaffar
?
Imdad
?
?
AJMAL Heer Sayyal
Firdous
Akmal
Nasira
Asif Jah
Salma Mumtaz
Zahoor Shah
Gulraiz
Imdad
M.D.Sheikh
Baloch
M.ISMAEL Heer Ranjha
Firdous
Ejaz
Zamurrad
Munawar Zarif
Salma Mumtaz
Najmul Hassan
Gulrez
Producer

Director
Music
Screen Play

Lyrics

Camera J.C.Anand

Nazir
Safdar Hussain
Alam Syaposh

Hazeen Qadri

Raza Mir Sajjad Malik &
Jaafar Bukhari
Jaafar Bukhari
Bakhshi Wazir
Alam Syaposh &
Zakki
Waris Ludhyanvi,
Taveer Naqvi &
Zaheer Kashmiri
Shouki Ejaz & Masood

Masood Perwez
Khurshid Anwar
Ahmad Rahi

Ahmad Rahi

Masood-ur-rehman

Other Pakistani films related to this story

Nooraan (Punjabi - 1957)
Waris Shah (Punjabi - 1964)

Mr. Ranjha (Urdu - 1979)

Mirza, Majnoo & Ranjha (Punjabi - 1983)

Reshma (Punjabi - 2000)
Related links:
Listen to the Heer Waris Shah from various singers
Read The Complete Book of Heer Warish Shah
Apna | Jhang | Punjabilok