Pakistani film icon: Naeem Hashmi’s death anniversary today

By Anjum Gill

LAHORE: The 29th death anniversary of one of the prominent architects of the Pakistani film industry, Naeem Hashmi, will be observed today at Shakir Road at Ichhra.

Naeem Hashmi took the role of a villain in the late 40s and 50s and later took character actor roles in more than 100 films. He continued working for the film industry as a lyricist, writer, director and producer. His naats (Prophet Muhammad PBUH’s praise) in films earned him quite a name.

Naeem Hashmi was an intellectual in his own right. Prominent writer and journalist, the late Imtiaz Sipra, once paid tribute to Naeem Hashmi, saying “Naeem Hashmi was living in an era where social obligations were preferred over financial stakes and he made overtures through print and films to highlight social ills and national issues. He envisioned a liberated Kashmir and highlighted its plight through his 1948 film ‘Inqalab-e-Kashmir’, which was banned.”

Columnist Rasheed Sajid also remembered Naeem Hashmi, saying, “He had a male resonate voice and with his individual dialogue delivery he performed quite a few number of memorable characters. Whichever film Naeem Hashmi performed in, his suggestions and advices would always be sought by the writing department. He had a command over history and literature and would support his arguments with quotes from these subjects.”

Film writer Mohammed Kamal Pasha was also a big fan of Naeem Hashmi. “He lit the torch of art films in the days of commercialism. Naeem Hashmi belonged to the superior rank of actors, as he did not bow before commercialisation. Commercialisation barred many artists from becoming actors. His acting could be felt and read and taught because he paid a heavy price for his acts by performing in non-commercial films,” he added.

Veteran actress Bahar Begum also paid homage to one of the finest actors the industry has produced.

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