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 and after migration, he directed around forty-eight films in Pakistan film industry, including two Punjabi films between 1961 and 1998.[1]

S. Suleman
Born
Syed Suleman

(1938-12-29)29 December 1938
Died14 April 2021(2021-04-14) (aged 82)
Lahore, Pakistan
Other namesSullu Bhai
Occupations
  • Film director
  • Actor
  • Producer
Years active1948–2014
Spouse
(m. 1967⁠–⁠2021)
Children5
RelativesSantosh Kumar (brother)
Mansoor (brother)
Darpan (brother)
Sabiha Khanum (sister-in-law)
Nayyar Sultana (sister-in-law)
Awards10 Nigar Awards
Pride of Performance Award (year?)
Sitara-e-Imtiaz Award (year?)

He made his acting debut with an Indian film Mela playing the younger role of Dilip Kumar. 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 leaving Pakistan film industry.[2]

Early life

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He was born as Syed Suleman in Hyderabad State, British India (in modern-day Hyderabad, India). He migrated to Pakistan in the mid to late 1950s to join his two brothers, Santosh Kumar and Darpan, in Lahore.[3] 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.[4][1][2]

Career

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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 own career independently.[1][2]

After creating ten films in collaboration with Muhammad Ali and Zeba, he worked with new actors such as Nadeem Baig and Shabnam.[2] 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[1]

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 film industry and joined television where he directed serials such as Colony 52, Kiya Yehi Pyar Hai and Ana.[2]

Filmography

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Year Title Director Ref(s)
1961 Gulfam   [5][2][1]
1963 Baji
Mehndi Walay Hath
Tangay Wala
1965 Tamasha
1966 Tasvir
Lori
1967 Aag
1968 Yaar Dost
1969 Piya Millan Ki Aas
Jaisay Jantay Nahi
Baharen Phir Bhi Ayen Gi
1970 Bewafa
Mohabbat Rang Laye Gi
Ek Phool Ek Pathar
1971 Teri Soorat Meri Ankhen
1972 Ilzam
Mohabbat
Sabaq
1973 Society
Tera Gham Rahay Salamat
Baharon Ki Manzil
1974 Intezar
Miss Hippy
Bhool
1975 Zeenat
Gumrah
Anari
Sharat
Zanjeer
1976 Mom Ki Guriya
Aaj Aur Kal
Tallaq
Insaniyat
1977 Uff Yeh Bivian
Mere Huzoor
Pyar Ka Waada
1978 Aag Aur Zindagi
Abhi To Main Jawan Hun
Prince
1979 Nazr-e-Karm
1980 Haaey Yeh Shohar
1981 Manzil
Dil Ek Khilona
1982 Teray Bina Kya Jeena
1987 7 Sahelian
Love in London
1998 Very Good Dunya Very Bad Log

Television

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  • Colony 52 (2004)
  • Kiya Yehi Pyar Hai
  • Ana (2004)
  • Abdullah Karwani
  • Taal Wala
  • Kuch Dil Ne Kaha (2006)[5]

Death

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He was suffering from diabetes and kidney disease for some time before his death.[2] He was admitted to a private hospital in Lahore where he died on 14 April 2021.[1]

Awards

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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.[6]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Adnan Lodhi (14 April 2021). "Renowned director S. Suleman passes away". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Suhayb, Muhammad (27 April 2021). "S. Suleman, the man with the midas touch". Images (Dawn Group of newspapers). Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  3. ^ Rabe, Nate (2 December 2017). "Sound of Lollywood: Comedy 'Uff Yeh Beevian' has one redeeming feature, and it's a song". Scroll.in. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  4. ^ "Legendary film director S Suleman passes away - Pakistan". The News International. 15 April 2021. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  5. ^ a b "سینئر ہدایت کار ایس سلیمان 80 برس کی عمر میں انتقال کر گئے -Daily Jang-Latest News-Entertainment". Daily Jang (in Urdu). 14 April 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  6. ^ "Veteran film director S. Suleiman passes away". RADIO PAKISTAN. 14 April 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
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