Agha Hasan Askari (28 January 1945 – 30 October 2023) was a Pakistani film director, producer and screenwriter of the Lollywood industry.
Before joining Tariq Masood Qureshi, he started his career as an assistant director on the Punjabi titles Chan Makhana and Sajan Pyaara by Kaifi. His first film as a director was Khun Pasina starring Firdous, Sultan Rahi, Rukhsana and Agha Talish.
Early life and education Born in 1945 at Lahore, with a M.A. degree in English Literature, Askari was fond of writing since his college days, during those times being the editor of Faran, the magazine of leftist National Students Federation (NSF), and throughout his life would remain a committed Marxist, which would influence the social message in his movies. This also reflected and was a result of his own struggles as a member of the lower middle class in Pakistan.
Career During his career, Askari directed around 60 Punjabi and Urdu films, besides producing 10 of them. Among his memorable works in more than 60 projects are Wehshi Jat (1975 film), Khun Pasina, Khazana, Jannat Ki Taan, Aag, Be Qarar, Dooriyan and Tere Pyar Mein (2000 film) is included. Notably, Askari is credited with first introducing the iconic Sultan Rahi as "Maula Jat", introducing his iconic Gandasa in the groundbreaking 1975 film Wehshi Jatt, years before the iconic Maula Jatt (1979 film). He directed over 50 films, devoted 55 years of his life to Pakistani film industry.
Death Askari died on 30 October 2023, at the age of 78. He had been suffering from lung cancer for a long time and was undergoing treatment at Sheikh Zayed Hospital in Lahore. He is survived by a widow, a daughter and a son. His funeral prayer was performed after noon prayer at his residence on Alamgir Street in Lahore, Pakistan.
Filmography Year Title Language 1972Khoon Paseena (his debut as a film director and this film reflected his political thoughts as well)Punjabi1972Sir Dhar Di BaziPunjabi1972HeeraPunjabi1973Ghairat Da NishanPunjabi1975Wehshi JattPunjabi1976ToofanPunjabi1977Aakhri MedanPunjabi1977QanoonPunjabi1977SalakheinUrdu1979Jeenay Ki SazaUrdu1979Jatt Da KharakPunjabi1979Dada PotaPunjabi1979AagUrdu 1981MuftbarPunjabi1982KinaraUrdu1983Ek Doojay Kay LiyeUrdu1984DoorianUrdu19852 HathkarianPunjabi1985Ham Aur Tum Urdu/Punjabi1986BeqararUrdu1986Akbar KhanPunjabi1986TalashUrdu1986MelaPunjabi1987Ik Si DakuPunjabi1987NijatUrdu1987Sonay Ki TalashUrdu1988MafroorPunjabi1988QatilPunjabi1988Sherbaz KhanPunjabi1990Puttar Jaggay DaPunjabi1990Sher DilPunjabi1991GandasaPunjabi1991Riaz GujjarPunjabi1992Abdullah The GreatPunjabi/Urdu1992PattanPunjabi1992Achha Shookar ValaPunjabi1993IradahPunjabi/Urdu1993BeTaj BadshahPunjabi/Urdu1993AanPunjabi/Urdu1995KhazanaUrdu1995Jeenay DoPunjabi/Urdu1996SabootPashto19962 JeedarPunjabi1997Dil Kisi Ka Dost NahinUrdu1999Jannat Ki TalashUrdu 1999JazbaUrdu1999ChaudhraniPunjabi2000Kahan Hay QanoonUrdu2000Tere Pyar MeinUrdu2001Badmash PuttarPunjabi2001Ik Jagga HorPunjabi2002Chalo Ishq LarainUrdu2002VeryamPunjabi2004Sassi PunnoPunjabi2005Bau BadmashPunjabi2008BasantiPunjabi2013Dil Praey Des MeinUrdu2014DastanPashto
Awards Won 5 Nigar Awards for 'Best Director' for Wehshi Jat (1975), Toofan (1976 film), Doorian (1984 film), Jannat Ki Talash (1999 film) and Tere Pyar Mein (2000 film). National Film Awards (Pakistan) (two-times) Pride of Performance Award by the President of Pakistan in 2024.
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