Zamurrad Sultana, also known as Zamurrad (Urdu; زمرد) is a Pakistani film actress. Active in Lollywood from 1957 to 2016, she appeared in over 233 Urdu, Punjabi, and Pashto films, predominantly in supporting and character roles. She was among Pakistan's most popular actresses from the 1960s to the 1980s.
She was also known for her exceptional dance skills, particularly in Punjabi cinema during the 1970s and 1980s, and was known for her popular item songs.
Early life Zamurrad Sultana was born in 1946 in Amritsar, British India.She was born into a musical family and received artistic training under the guidance of her parents from a young age.Before her film career, she worked as a tawaif in the Shahi Mohallah area of Lahore, later known as Heera Mandi. She received extensive training in classical dance and music from expert teachers, skills that later became a cornerstone of her film performances.
Career Zamurrad began her acting career in 1957 with the Urdu film Masoom. In 1958, she appeared in Urdu film Hasrat where she played the role of actor Yousaf Khan's sister. Initially, to distinguish herself from another actress with the same name, she was referred to as '"Choti Zamurrad" (Little Zamurrad), while the other was "Bari Zamurrad" (Big Zamurrad).
During her career, Zamurrad used two other screen names such as Sitara and Nazi. Shabab Kiranvi gave her the name Sitara for his film Gulbadan. She gained some recognition under this name for her dance performance to the song Bajai Yeh Kesi Been Liya Sukh Chaen Mera Chheen in the film Saheli (1960).
Then she worked in the Karachi-based film Hamein Bhi Jeene Do, director Butt Kasher cast her as a solo heroine and gave her the name "Nazi," publicizing her as Pakistani Kamini Kaushal.
She appeared in many famous films such as Gulfam (1961), Maa Baap (1967), Saiqa (1968), Naseeb Apna Apna (1970), and Ziddi (1973).
During the 1970s, Zamurrad was regarded as one of the most prominent and popular film actresses of Punjabi cinema in Pakistan. In 1983, she starred in the Urdu film Ek Dooje Ke Liye, which initiated a "second era" in her career. She became highly successful as an item song dancer in many Punjabi films during the 1980s. Her item songs were immensely popular in films like Sahibji, Moti Te Dogar, Namak Halal, Ghulami, and Akbar Khan.
Zamurrad appeared in over 150 films, with notable roles in Urdu films like Saheli (1960), Azra (1962), and Badnaam (1966), as well as Punjabi films such as Heer Ranjha (1970) and Ziddi (1973). She received acclaim for her portrayal of Marina a Jewish nomadic dancer in the historical film Al-Hilal (1966) and a negative role in the successful film Banarsi Thug (1973). She also performed popular item songs in Punjabi films during the 1980s. Her final film appearance was in Sajra Piyar in 2016.
Personal life Zamurrad was married to actor Shahid, but they later divorced. They have one daughter, Rabia Shahid.
Filmography Film Year Film Language 1957 Masoom Urdu 1958 Chhoomantar Punjabi 1958 Hasrat Urdu 1960 Saheli Urdu 1961 Gul Bakavli Urdu 1961 Gulfam Urdu 1962 Azra Urdu 1962 Chodhary Punjabi 1962 Mera Kya Qasoor Urdu 1965 Sartaj Urdu 1965 Malangi Punjabi 1966 Kon Kisi Ka Urdu 1966 Badnaam Urdu 1966 Payel Ki Jhankar Urdu 1967 Maa Baap Urdu 1968 Saiqa Urdu 1968 5 Darya Punjabi 1969 Tahadi Izzat Da Sawal A Punjabi 1970 Naseeb Apna Apna Urdu 1970 Heer Ranjha Punjabi 1970 Chann Puttar Punjabi 1971 Night Club Urdu 1971 Ucha Naa Pyar Da Punjabi 1971 Pehlvan Jee In London Punjabi 1971 Tehzeeb Urdu 1972 Zaildar Punjabi 1972 Ishtehari Mulzim Punjabi 1972 Sajjan Beparwah Punjabi 1972 Umrao Jan Ada Urdu 1973 Ziddi Punjabi 1973 Banarsi Thug Punjabi 1976 Licence Punjabi 1983 Sahib Ji Punjabi 1983 Raka Punjabi 1983 Lawaris Punjabi 1983 Rustam Te Khan Punjabi 1983 Gumnam Urdu 1984 Lazawal Urdu 1985 Shehzad Gay Pashto 1985 Jeenay Nahin Dun Gi Urdu 1985 Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein Urdu 1985 Ghulami Punjabi 1985 Jagga Punjabi 1985 Zamin Aasman Urdu 1985 Wadera Punjabi 1986 Qaidi Punjabi 1986 Aakhri Jang Punjabi 1987 Sangal Punjabi 1987 Allah Rakha Punjabi 1987 Nachay Nagin Punjabi 1988 Roti Punjabi 1992 Sher Jang Punjabi 2016 Sajra Pyar Punjabi
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