Farangi (film)

Farangi is a 1964 Pakistani Urdu film. It is directed by Khalil Qaiser and written by Riaz Shahid. It was the second film produced by Khalil Qaiser's newly found K. K. Productions. The film stars Sudhir, Shamim Ara and Agha Talish with Bahar Begum and Allauddin. Set in 1910s and 1920s at the time of British Raj, Farangi revolves around the battle of a Pashtun freedome fighter against the british army. The film was a golden jubilee success and features some memorable poems by Faiz Ahmad Faiz and Sahir Ludhianvi, with music composed by Rashid Attre.[1][2] Ara and Talish's performances in the film were praised.[3] At Nigar Awards 1964, it received four awards including Best Actress for Ara.[4]

Farangi
فرنگی
Directed byKhalil Qaiser
Written byRiaz Shahid
Produced byKhalil Qaiser
Starring
CinematographyKamran Mirza
Music byRashid Attre
Production
company
K. K. Productions
Release date
  • 18 December 1964 (1964-12-18)
CountryPakistan
LanguageUrdu

Plot

At the time of British Raj, Akbar who hails from tribal areas goes to his house for a week's leave. On arrival, his mother tells him that she has fixed her marriage with Zeba. He first refuses to marry her because he loves Gul, but later agrees when he comes across Nadir Khan, who also wants to marry her. At his return to the army's fort, the Major of the army compels him to assist them in attacking at his village but he rebels, manages to escape and start disrupting their plans. In the army's attack, Zeba and her son survive but Gul goes blind.

Many years pass away and Akbar, now a rebellious fighter who kills the army's soldiers one day comes across Gul by chance. When she learns that he is fighting against the enemy, she decides to help him in every possible way. They meet in the cave where Gul regularly informs him about the situations.

When army's Major comes to know that the rebellious fighter who is killing their soldiers is Akbar, he kidnaps Gul and her father. He asks Akbar's address but she doesn't tell anything. They kill her father and she herself suffers a lot but doesn't tell.

On the other hand, Nadir Khan who works for British army kills Zeba when she tries to save Saleem, her son. Saleem escapes but again meets with Nadir Khan who brings him in his house where his mother lives. Nadir Khan's mother who is a determined Pashtun lady, kills her own son when he tries to kill Akbar. There, she gathers the villagers and said them to stand by Akbar Khan as he is fighting fir their freedom.

After Nadir Khan's death, the Major imprisons his mother and demand the release of his officer which Akbar has arrested. When Major comes to receive his officer he surprises to know that Akbar Khan is not alone. He goes to the fort where Akbar also follows him along with the villagers who fight the army, defeat them and Akbar kills the Major.

Cast

Soundtrack and music

The music of the film was composed by Rashid Attre while lyrics were penned by Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Sahir Ludhianvi and Qateel Shifai.[5]

Track listing
Song Singer Lyricist
Teri Zaat Hai Mazhar-e-Noor-e-Khuda Noor Jehan Qateel Shifai
Aa Bhi Ja Dildara, Jab Say Tu Bichra HaI Mujh Se Naseem Begum Qateel Shifai
Ham Jo Tareek Rahon Mein Maray Gaye Mala Begum and co. Faiz Ahmed Faiz
Chor Kalai Moray Sanwaria Naseem Begum Qateel Shifai
Gullon Mein Rang Bharay, Bad-e-Nobahar Chalay[6] Mehdi Hassan Faiz Ahmed Faiz
Teri Us Nigah Ka Shukria, Mujhay Jis Nay Jeena Sikha Diya Naseem Begum Qateel Shafai
Ban Kay Mera Parwana, Aye Ga Akbar Khana Mala Begum Qateel Shifai
Aye Watan, Marnay Walon Ki Dam Torti Arzoo Dekh Ahmed Rushdi Sahir Ludhianvi

Release and box office

Farangi was released on 18 December 1964 and ran for 25 weeks in the theaters of Karachi, thus became a golden Jubilee success.[5][7]

Awards

Farangi received 4 Nigar Awards in the following categories:[1][4][8]

Category Awardee
Best actress Shamim Ara
Best script writer Riaz Shahid
Best lyricist Faiz Ahmad Faiz
Best male playback singer Mehdi Hassan

References
  1. Alavi, Suhayb (7 October 2017). "Looking back at a classic". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  2. "2 Poems of Faiz Ahmed Faiz sung by Mehdi Hassan and Mala from anti-colonialist film Farangi (1964) with English Translations". Cineplot.com. 21 June 2011. Archived from the original on 31 March 2015. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  3. Being & Becoming, the Cinemas of Asia. Macmillan. 2022. ISBN 9780333938201.
  4. "List of Nigar awards from 1957 to 1971". The Hot Spot Online website. 17 June 2002. Archived from the original on 3 August 2008. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  5. "Urdu Film Farangi". Pak Film Mag. Archived from the original on 29 November 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
  6. "Remembering Mehdi Hassan—ghazal 'shahenshah' who had legion of fans both sides of the border". The Print. 18 July 2022.
  7. "Pakistani Film Database – 1964 (scroll down to read Farangi)". Cineplot.com. 6 May 2010. Archived from the original on 20 May 2011.
  8. "Pakistan's "Oscars"; The Nigar Awards". Desi Movies. Archived from the original on 13 June 2020.
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