Naela is a 1965 Pakistani musical romance drama film, directed by Sharif Nayyar, who also wrote the screenplay. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Razia Butt. It stars Shamim Ara in the title role with Santosh Kumar and Darpan in substantial roles. The film revolves around Naela who finds herself caught in a heartbreaking love triangle.
Naela was released on 29 October 1965, and was commercially successful with a record theatrical run in Peshawar. The music of the film was composed by Inayat Hussain. It became popular due to the gahzal "Gham-e-dil ko, in ankhon se, chhalak jana bhi aata hai", performed by Mala. The film was also screened at the Lok Virsa Museum of Pakistan in 2016. Naela is often cited as the first full-length colour film of the then West Pakistan,https://www.dawn.com/news/1218274 however Ek Dil Do Diwane, released an year earlier, was the actual first full-length colour film made in the West Pakistan.https://jang.com.pk/news/820967
Plot Naela is busy with the arrangements of the family gatherings at her aunt's house. The gathering is held due to her cousins Zafar (also her fiancé) and Akhtar. She loves Zafar and vice versa. On arrival, Akhtar becomes free with her, makes jokes and laughs as he used to do in his childhood. Naela wants to spend time with Zafar, but every time either it can't happen or Akhtar comes. Several events take place that confuse both of them that either she/he loves him/her or not. Naela's friend Simki, who often visits Naela, confesses her love for Zafar which he denies, and Akhtar sees it. He asks her if she likes him and tries to assault her, but Zafar reaches there, slapped by Akhtar, but saves Simki.
Later, one day Akhtar and Naela go horseback riding, where Akhtar tells her that he loves to spend time with her and he is in love with her. Naela rejects him, goes back, and confines herself in a room, as she had injured herself by falling from the horse. There, Akhtar comes again to tell her that he loves her. He then tells her mother that he wants to marry Naela, who gets worried about the fate of her sons. She wants to do justice with them, but Akhtar's love wins, and she decides to marry him with Naela, as Zafar is her stepson.
Cast Shamim Ara as Naela Santosh Kumar as Zafar Darpan as Akhtar Ragni as Zafar and Akhtar's mother A. Shah Gul Rukh Saqi Husna Kumar
Soundtrack
Release and reception The film released on 29 October 1965 and was a hit at the box office. It had a theatrical run of 51 weeks in Karachi cinema with a Golden Jubilee hit. The film ran for a record three years in Firdos cinema, a local cinema in Peshawar. Lok Virsa Museum screened the film in 2016 to retain the classical cinema from Rawalpindi, where the film was shot.
The film was selected among the "Top ten films" of Pakistani cinema by critic Aijaz Gul for the Cinemaya.
Awards At the 1965 Nigar Awards, this film received eight Nigar Awards.
Year Award Category Awardee Result1965Nigar Awards Best Film Agha G. A. Gul rowspan="8" Best Director Sharif Nayyar Best Actress Shamim Ara Best Musician Inayat Hussain Best Female Playback Singer Mala Best lyricist Qateel Shifai Best Art director S. M. Khwaja Best cinematographer Nabi Ahmed
References
External links