He may have made his debut as Pakistan’s answer to Dilip Kumar but Mirza Nazeer Baig Mughal has evolved from a super-hit actor into a superstar during his 43-year career. The journey that began with Chakori in 1967 is still going strong. Not only has Nadeem outlived his contemporaries but also inspired generations with his charismatic personality and professional ethics.
Born on 19th July, 1941, in Madras (now Chennai), India, to a family with no links to showbiz, he made his debut in Chakori when the intended hero of the film, Azeem, quit days before shooting was to commence. He not only impressed the audience with his acting skills and dashing looks but also belied critics who didn’t consider him a threat in the beginning.
With countless hits to back him, Nadeem achieved iconic status in the ’70s and gave a hard time to Waheed Murad, Mohammad Ali and Shahid during the decade that saw him churn out hits with directors Pervez Malik, Nazrul Islam, S. Suleman and many others.
He has so far worked in 200-plus films since Chakori. Although he hasn’t tried his hand at direction but has been active on the scene for the past 43 years, winning fans all over the world and all awards imaginable. And if you think you know it all about this great actor, go through the trivia below and know more about Nadeem the actor, singer, producer and the man behind the numerous cinematic hits.
1. We all know Nadeem sang the duet Kahan ho tumko dhoondh rahi hain… with Firdousi Begum besides many other hits during his film career. But do you know he sang one song on an actor other than himself? Who and what was it?
2. In how many films did superstars Waheed Murad, Mohammad Ali and Nadeem act together?
3. Has he worked in an Indian film?
4. Has Nadeem ever played a negative role in his illustrious career?
5. Not many actors have played triple roles in a film during their careers. Is Nadeem one of the actors who have done so?
6. What was the ‘odd thing’ about the leading ladies in Nadeem’s debut TV serial Bisaat, directed by Ghazanfar Ali in 2000?
7. Playboy, Ishq Ishq, Inteha and Koi Tujh Sa Kahan. What do these films have in common?
8. Nadeem has never directed a film, but has he produced any?
9. There was a vast difference in Nadeem’s hairstyles during the ’70s and then again in the ’80s. Which was the first film in which he attempted his post-80s hairstyle?
10. What is the significance of films such as Sangdil, Anari and Talaash in Nadeem’s career?
Answers:
1. The actor was Mohammad Qavi Khan and the film was Mr Buddho (1973), in which Nadeem sang the song, Kitne Ashq Piye Hain Phir Bhi Zinda Hoon, with the late playback singers Mala and Ahmed Rushdi lending their vocals for Deeba and Rangeela, respectively;
2. Three. Their first film together was Phool Mere Gulshan Ka (1974) followed by Shama (1974) and Jab Jab Phool Khile (1975). Nadeem also has the distinction of working with great artistes including Santosh Kumar, Darpan, Alauddin, Kamal, Shahid, David, Shashi Kapoor and Raj Babbar during his career;
3. Nadeem played the angry young man Tony in Bollywood’s Doordesh in 1983, where he was pitted against Bangladeshi actress Babita and Indian actors Shashi Kapoor, Sharmila Tagore, Parveen Babi, Raj Babbar and David. The film was directed by Ambrish Sangal and was by the Canadian Production house Friends Film International;
4. His role in the multi-starrer Shama (1974) had shades of grey, but in Samaj and Suhaag he played a full-throttle villain. Mohammad Ali was the good guy in Samaj whereas Zia Mohyuddin played the bespectacled hero in Suhaag;
5. Yes, he has. In fact he was the first actor in Pakistan to do so. He played three roles simultaneously in Jaltay Sooraj Kay Neechay which was released in 1971, and was produced by Afzaal Chaudhry in the then East Pakistan;
6. Both the leading ladies — Aaminah Haq and Nosheen Tariq — were born after Nadeem made his big screen debut in Chakori (1967). Yet he seemed at ease against the youngsters, fitting in as the leading man;
7. Nadeem is the only actor in Pakistan to work with four female directors who have also been his co-stars. The directors of the first three films — Shamim Ara, Sangeeta and Samina Peerzada — on numerous occasions played Nadeem’s leading ladies during his career. Shamim Ara in Parai Aag and Suhaag, Sangeeta in countless flicks including Anari and Mutthi Bhar Chawal and Samina Peerzada in Bazaar-i-Husn and Bulandi. The director of the last flick in the list — Reema Khan — has worked with Nadeem in over a dozen films mostly as his daughter or the son’s love interest;
8. Not one but two. Mitti Kay Putlay (1974) was his first movie as a producer whereas the Punjabi film Mukhra (1988) once again saw him in the role of the producer;
9. Many believe that Nazrul Islam’s Bandish was the first film in which Nadeem changed his hairstyle, which is incorrect. Pervez Malik’s Pakeeza (1979) was the first flick in which he experimented with his hair. When his character loses his memory, his hairstyle changes… and when he regains his memory it’s back to the ’70s hairdo;
10. Nadeem has worked in not one but three films with the same name. While the first Anari and Sangdil were black and white flicks, and the others were in colour, the first Talash was released in 1976 and the other one a decade later. Not only were the stories of all these flicks different but also the directors.
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