Syed Suleman (29 December 1938 14 April 2021), also known as S. Suleman or Sullu Bhai, was a Pakistani film director.
He also appeared in Bollywood films with minor roles before migrating to Pakistan, where he directed at least 48 films in Pakistan film industry between 1961 and 1998, including two Punjabi films.
He made his acting debut with an Indian film Mela, playing the younger version of Dilip Kumar's role. He made his directorial debut with Gulfam (1961) while his last film as a director is Very Good Dunya Very Bad Log (1998). Zeenat (1975) is the first film of Suleman which helped him to earn his first Nigar Awards — Best Director. He also directed Urdu TV serials after discontinuing work in the Pakistan film industry.
Early life He was born as Syed Suleman in Hyderabad State, British India (in modern-day Hyderabad, India). He migrated to Pakistan in the early 1950s to join his two brothers, Santosh Kumar and Darpan, in Lahore. He married actress and dancer Zareen Panna in the 1960s, with whom he had five children, including two sons and one daughter. S. Suleman first worked as an assistant to the veteran film director Anwar Kamal Pasha. He is the recipient of ten Nigar Awards.
Career He first appeared in films in 1947, when he played Dilip Kumar's younger role in film Mela (1948). After moving to Pakistan following the partition of India, he ventured in Pakistan films in the mid-50s. He initially worked at the editing department, and later a Pakistani film director and producer Anwar Kamal Pasha made him assistant director for film Sarfarosh (1956) starring Suleman's elder brother Santosh Kumar and sister-in-law Sabiha Khanum. He later worked as an assistant director of Saat Lakh (1957) and Saathi (1959). Following the promotion of Saathi, he made his directorial debut with Gulfam. In 1963, he collaborated with Darpan for Baaji (1963) and Taangewala (1963). In 1966, he directed Tamasha that flopped at the box office. A year later, the film flopped he collaborated with a writer Agha Hasan Imtisal and a music director Nisar Bazmi for the production of Jaise Jante Nahin (1969), Bewafaa (1970), Sabaq (1972), and Shararat (1976). Bewafaa was the only film of Suleman starring Waheed Murad. Noted Pakistani film director Syed Noor first had assisted him in film direction before launching his independent career as a director.
After creating ten films in collaboration with Muhammad Ali and Zeba, he worked with new actors such as Nadeem Baig and Shabnam. He also introduced Ghulam Mohiuddin to films with Anarri, Babra Sharif with Intezar (1974), Waseem Abbas with Manzil (1981). Some singers also made their debut with Suleman's films such as Mujeeb Aalam with "Main Khushsi Se Kyun Na Gaaon" from Lori, Tahira Syed with "Yeh Mehfil Jo Aaj Saji Hai" from Muhabbat, and Zil-e-Huma with "Sulagh Raha Hai Tann Mera" from Very Good Dunya Very Bad Log.
Following the introduction of Videocassette recorder (VCR) in Pakistan, he directed action-thriller films Manzil (1981) and Tere Bina Kya Jeena (1982) starring Muhammad Ali. After making 48 films, he left the film industry and joined television where he directed serials such as Colony 52, Kiya Yehi Pyar Hai and Ana.
Filmography + Year Title Director 1961Gulfam rowspan="48" 1963BajiMehndi Walay HathTangay Wala 1965Tamasha 1966TasvirLori 1967Aag 1968Yaar Dost 1969Piya Millan Ki AasJaisay Jantay NahiBaharen Phir Bhi Ayen Gi 1970BewafaMohabbat Rang Laye GiEk Phool Ek Pathar 1971Teri Soorat Meri Ankhen 1972IlzamMohabbatSabaq 1973SocietyTera Gham Rahay SalamatBaharon Ki Manzil 1974IntezarMiss HippyBhool 1975ZeenatGumrahAnariSharatZanjeer 1976Mom Ki GuriyaTallaqInsaniyat 1977Uff Yeh BivianMere HuzoorPyar Ka Waada 1978Aag Aur ZindagiAbhi To Main Jawan HunPrince 1979Nazr-e-Karm 1980Haaey Yeh Shohar 1981ManzilDil Ek Khilona 1982Teray Bina Kya Jeena 19877 SahelianLove in London 1998Very Good Dunya Very Bad Log
Television Colony 52 (2004) Kiya Yehi Pyar Hai Ana (2004) Abdullah Karwani Taal Wala Kuch Dil Ne Kaha (2006)
Death Suleman was suffering from diabetes and kidney disease for some time before his death. He was admitted to a private hospital in Lahore where he died on 14 April 2021.
Awards He was the recipient of twelve awards, including ten Nigar Awards by Nigar magazine, one Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence) award and the Pride of Performance award by the government of Pakistan.
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