Zia Sarhadi (; born Fazl-e-Qadir Sethi 1914 in Peshawar, North West Frontier Province – 27 January 1997 in Karachi, Sindh) was an Indian and Pakistani screenwriter and director in the Indian film industry, whose career spanned what is widely considered the Golden Age of Indian Cinema.
Career Zia Sarhadi received his early education and a college degree from Peshawar. While he was a student, he was interested in poetry and writing short stories. He then moved to Bombay in 1933 to pursue a film career. He first worked for the East India Film Company and some other companies for a while. Then he met the noted film director Mehboob Khan in Bombay. At Mehbbob's suggestion, he started writing screenplays and film stories for him.
He was the father of TV and radio actor Khayyam Sarhadi and grandfather of actress Zhalay Sarhadi. As a film director, he was probably best known for his films Hum Log (1951), Baiju Bawra (1952) and Footpath (1953).
He was involved in writing the script as a consultant for the film Mother India (1957), considered one of the greatest Indian films of all time, but is rarely credited for his contribution. Described as an "unaffiliated Marxist", his films were known for dealing with social issues of the period. His film Footpath, for instance, dealt with issues of moral guilt in the 1950s India.
Death and legacy Zia Sarhadi died due to a heart attack in Madrid, Spain on 27 January 1997 at age 82. He was buried in his hometown Peshawar, Pakistan later.
Filmography Year Title Director Screenwriter Notes 1936 Bhole Bhale Deccan Queen Manmohan Actor and lyricist also 1937 Jagirdar Kokila Lyricist 1938 Madhur Milan Abhilasha Hum Tum Aur Woh Lyricist Teen Sau Din Ke Baad Lyricist Gramophone Singer 1939 Seva Samaj Ladies Only Lyricist also Jeevan Sathi 1940 Sajani Lyricist also Ali Baba 1941 Bahen 1943 Nadaan 1945 Yateem 1947 Elaan 1948 Anokha Pyar Lyricist Anokhi Ada 1950 Khel 1951 Hum Log 1952 Baiju Bawra 1953 Footpath 1956 Awaaz 1960 Rahguzar 1964 Beti dialogues only 1966 Insaan 1967 Lakhon Mein Aik 1977 Naya Suraj
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