Habib-ur-Rehman (actor)


Habib-ur-Rehman, better known by his screen name Habib, was a Pakistani film actor, director, producer and a television actor. He was one of the busiest heroes of the industry and established himself as one of the most successful actors of Pakistani cinema, acting in almost 600 movies in a career spanning 60 years. He appeared in both Punjabi and Urdu language movies.

Early years and personal life

Habib-ur-Rehman was born into Punjabi family of the Arain tribe, in BASI not far from Sirhind the Patiala state, Punjab, British India. His father worked in the railways, and the family had to move to Gujranwala at the Partition in 1947, where he was educated, earning three master's degrees in English literature, Urdu and Persian from the Govt. M.A.O College Lahore.
He married fellow film actress Naghma, but later separated and got divorced from her. Rehman is the father of two sons and four daughters from his first wife, and another daughter later from his second wife. He died in Lahore following a cerebral hemorrhage, on 25 February 2016.
Mr. Khalid Tabassum, journalist & writer, wrote his film memories which were published in Daily Nawa-i-Waqt in 1986.

Career

As an actor

He made his debut in film Lakhat-e-Jigar, then some of his films flopped till Aadmi. He received an important role in the film Aadmi, breaking through obscurity and first became well known as a film actor, and soon took other roles in Urdu hit films such as Ayyaz, Zehr-e-Ishq, Surayya, Saperan, Aulad, Mehtab, Maa Ke Aansoo, Khandan, Aashiyana, Fashion, Dil Ke Tukrey, Basheera, Eid Mubarak, Dil Aur Duniya, Haar Geya Insaan and Waqt.
Among his Punjabi films, Mouj Mela was a super-hit musical Golden Jubilee film. He took the role of a side-hero in Platinum Jubilee film, Jeedar, but he could not repeat this success until 1967. Dil Da Jani, Yaar Maar, Babul Da Wehra, Chann Makhna, Do Mutiyaran, Chann Veer, Mukhra Chann Warga, Genterman, Waryam, Att Khuda Da Vair, Chann Puttar, Taxi Driver, Rangu Jatt, Duniya Paise Di, Sajjan Be-Parwah, Ik Doli Do Kahar, Basheera, Do Pattar Annaran Dey, Zaildar, Khushiya and "Malanga " are his famous Punjabi films.
In television, his most famous role was in the PTV drama Rahain, in the late 90s.

As a director

He directed and produced two Sindhi films, Baaghi and Allah Bachayo, but without much success.

As a producer

He was not successful as a film producer. Pardes and Haar Gaya Insaan were average box office films. Some other films he had produced had flopped at the box office.

Selected filmography

Urdu