Neelo Begum (born Cynthia Alexander Fernandes; née Abida Riaz; 30 June 1940 – 30 January 2021) was a Pakistani veteran film actress. She made her film debut in 1956 with a Hollywood film Bhowani Junction. She was known as The Queen of Romance and The Princess of Romance for her portrayal of romantic roles. She worked in more than 134 Pakistani films including Urdu and Punjabi language films.
She was the recipient of numerous awards, including Nigar Awards. She first gained recognition after appearing in the song "Aaye Mausam Rangilay Suhanay" from Saat Lakh and achieved critical and commercial success with the titular role in Zarqa.
Early life Born into a Catholic family, she converted to Islam and adopted a Muslim name, Abida Riaz, after marrying Pakistani filmmaker Riaz Shahid in 1965.
Neelo was born in Bhera, British India. She did her primary schooling at Kinnaird High School, Lahore.
Controversies In 1965, at the peak of her popularity, she was summoned by Nawab Malik Amir Mohammad Khan, then Governor of West Pakistan, to dance on stage for the Shah of Iran during his official visit to Pakistan; but she refused to do it for her own reasons. Harassed and threatened, Neelo faced dire consequences for refusing to obey official orders. She was allegedly gang molested and attempted suicide on the way to the Governor's House and was taken to a hospital instead, where the doctors saved her life.
News of the incident generated widespread public backlash against the Nawab. The renowned leftist poet Habib Jalib, on hearing of the incident, expressed his anguish in his poem over her attempted suicide: "Tu kay nawaqif-e-aadab-e-ghulami hae abhi...raqs zanjeer pehan ker bhi kya jata hae" (meaning: "unaware art thou yet of the rites of enslavement...dance can be performed even while enchained".) Later this poem was used in the film Zarqa (1969) with minor changes and ended up becoming a super-hit film song in Pakistan. The film song became much more relevant, effective, and popular because it was picturised on Neelo herself and was based on similar real-life events in Neelo's life. She also won the Best Actress Nigar Award for the film Zarqa. It had superb music by Wajahat Attre and was sung by Mehdi Hassan. Zarqa (1969) was produced and directed by Neelo's husband, Riaz Shahid, who also wrote its screenplay. Neelo helped her husband produce this film and it became the box office hit film of her career.
Personal life Born Cynthia Alexander Fernandes, Neelo was the only Pakistani actress to feature in a major Hollywood film, "Bhowani Junction," starring Ava Gardner and Stewart Granger, which also marked her film debut. She later entered the Pakistani film industry as an extra, worked her way up to second lead roles, and eventually became a leading lady due to her exceptional talent.
"Zarqa" became Pakistan's first diamond jubilee film and marked the pinnacle of Neelo's career, being hailed as a milestone in Pakistani cinema.
Neelo and Riaz Shahid named their first child Zarqa in honor of the film. They also had two sons, Sarosh and Armaghan, the latter of whom became well-known as actor and director Shaan Shahid. Riaz Shahid died from blood cancer in October 1972.Socialist cinema: Habib Jalib and Riaz Shahid in Neelo's film Zarqa (1969) on Dawn (newspaper) Published 5 November 2014, Retrieved 18 July 2018
Illness and death Neelo died from blood cancer on 30 January 2021 in Lahore.
Filmography
1956 Bhowani Junction 1956: Sabira 1957: Anjaam 1957: Bholey Khan 1957: Pasban 1957: Sehti 1957: Saat Lakh 1957: Yakke Wali 1957: Aankh Ka Nashah 1958: Akhri Nishan 1958: Changez Khan 1958: Darbar 1958: Jaan-e-Bahaar 1958: Jatti 1958: Kachian Kaliyan 1958: Mumtaz 1958: Nayi Larki 1958: Neya Daur 1958: Sheikh Chilli 1958: Zehr-e-Ishq 1959: Koel 1959: Lalkaar 1959: Lukkan Mitti 1959: Neend 1959: Shama 1959: Shera 1959: Sola Aanay 1959: Suchhey Moti 1959: Nagin 1959: Saathi 1959: Yaar Beli 1960: Alladin Ka Beta 1960: Ayaz 1960: Insaaf 1960: Khyber Mail 1960: Manzil 1960: Neelofar 1960: Shehzadi 1960: Street 77 1961: Bara Bajje 1961: Do Raste 1961: Subah Kahin Sham Kahin 1962: Azra 1962: Banjaran 1962: Barsaat mein 1962: Darwaza 1962: Dosheeza 1962: Ghunghat 1962: Husn-o-Ishq 1962: Unche Mahal 1963: Barat 1963: Daaman 1963: Ishq par zor nahin 1963: Kala Aadmi 1963: Mouj Mela 1963: Qatal ke baad 1963: Shikwa 1964: Beti 1964: Daachi 1964: Gehra Daagh 1964: Jugni 1964: Khyber Pass 1964: Mera Mahi 1964: Nehle peh Dehla 1964: Sher di Bachi 1965: Fareb 1965: Jeedar 1965: Raqqasa 1966: Abba Jee 1966: Ann Parh 1966: Badnaam 1966: Chughalkhor 1966: Laado 1966: Mr. Allah Ditta 1966: Naghma.e-Sehra 1966: Nizam Lohar 1966: Payal Ki Jhankar 1967: Chattan 1967: Dil Da Jani 1967: Neeli Baar 1967: Ravi Paar 1967: Sham Savera 1967: Yaar Maar 1968: Jag Beeti 1968: Lala Rukh 1968: Paristan 1968: Wohti 1969: Aukha Jatt 1969: Zarqa 1971: Karishma 1974: Khatarnak 1974: Bahisht (producer only) 1975: Athra 1975: Balwant Kaur 1975: Dhan Jigra Maa Da 1975: Heera Phumman 1975: Izzat 1975: Jailor te Qaidi 1975: Mera Naa Patey Khan 1975: Rajjo 1975: Sir Da Badla 1975: Sultana Daku 1975: Watan Iman 1976: Ayyash 1976: Gangu Puttar Maa Da 1976: Jatt Kurrian Taun Darda 1976: Khaufnaak 1976: Kil Kil Mera Naa 1976: Pindiwal 1976: Wardat 1977: Aj Diyan Kurrian 1977: Akhri Goli 1977: Danka 1977: Jurm main keeta si 1977: Malikzada 1977: Mere Badshah 1977: Sadqay Teri Mout Tun 1977: Tera vi jawab nahin 1978: Chamman Khan 1978: Gharib da baal 1978: Ghunda 1978: Haidar Daler 1978: Inqalab 1978: Mazi, haal aur mustaqbil 1978: Nazrana 1978: Sharif Shehri 1978: Tax 1979: General Bakht Khan 1979: Mout meri zindagi 1979: Order 1980: Chotay Nawab 1980: Heera Puttar 1982: Khatra 440 1989: Barood ki Chhaon 1990: Bulandi 1990: Jur'at 2013: Waar
Tribute and honour Actress and model Iqra Aziz held a tribute in her memory on International Women's Day and described her a very fine actress, successful individual, an amazing wife, and a wonderful mother. The Government of Pakistan named a street and intersection after her in Lahore on August 16, 2021.
Awards and recognition Year Award Category Result Title Ref. 1959 Nigar Award Best Supporting Actress Koel 1963 Nigar Award Best Supporting Actress Aman 1969 Nigar Award Best Actress Zarqa 1999 Nigar Award Special Millennium Award Herself 2022 Sitara-i-Imtiaz Award by the President of Pakistan Herself
References
External links
Filmography of actress Neelo on Complete Index To World Film website Archived