Jagmohan Singh Barhok
“Ye dil ki lagi kam kya hogi, ye ishq bhala kam kya hoga
jab raat hai aisi matvali,phir subah ka aalam kya hoga’
phir subah ka aalam kya hoga…”
Nigar Sultana who played ‘Bahar’ in epic “Mughal-E-Azam” was one of the most beautiful actresses of her time & vivacious,too.In fact,she was a marvel to look at.She could bewitch,and beguile anyone,so mesmerizing was her personality.
Nigar Sultana who began her career in 1946 ,hit the limelight in Raj Kapoor’s “Aag” ( 1948) also starring Nargis,Kamini Kaushal,Prem Nath with Mukesh singing a lifetime hit number “Zinda Hoon Is Tarah Ke Gham – E – Zindagi”.Nigar plays ‘Nirmala’ in the film,a role the critics & the audience appreciated.
In “Mirza Ghalib” ( 1954) Nigar sees her husband( Bharat Bhushan) fall for another woman Chaudhvin Begum (Suraiya) & cries for she is childless. The film depicts the period when Bahadur Shah Zafar was the Mughal emperor.Produced and directed by Sohrab Modi,the film is remembered for its soulfully memorable songs -“Dil-E-Nadan Tujhe Hua Kya Hai” ( Suraiya-Talal Mahmood) & ” Nukta Cheen Hai Ghame Dil ” & “Ye Na Thi Hamari Qismat Ke Visaal-E-Yaar Hota”(Suriya)under the baton Ghulam Mohammed.
She played the role of the court dancer Bahar, who loves Prince Salim ( Dilip Kumar) who loves Anarkali (Madhubala) in the epic “Mughal-e-Azam” (1960). Two highlight songs “Teri Mahafil Men Kismat Aazamaa Kar Ham Bhi Dekhenge” & “Ye Dil Ki Lagi Kam Kya Hogi” were picturised on her. She looked sensational in her role. She earlier appeared in “Yahudi” ( 1958),another noteable film by Bimal Roy featuring Dilip Kumar ,Meena Kumari, Nigar Sultana, and Sohrab Modi. Nigar played Shehzadi Octavia in the film. “Dil Se Tujhko Be Dili Hai, Ye Mera Diwanapan Hai” & ” Meri Ja Meri Ja, Pyar Kisi Se, Ho Hi Gaya Hai,Ham Kya Kare” were two hits from the film.
Her other films include the likes of “Patanga” (1949), “Dil Ki Basti” (1949), “Sheesh Mahal” (1950), “Khel” (1950), “Daman” (1951), Anand Bhavan (1953), & “Durgesh Nandini” (1956),”Mere Hamdam Mere Dost” & ” Do Kaliyaan” (1968).”Jumbish: A Movement – The Movie (1986) was her last film.
Nigar Sultana was K. Asif’s third wife.He had earlier married Dilip Kumar’s younger sister Akhtar & dancer-actress Sitara Devi. Nigar Sultana who was earlier married to S. M .Yusuf had a daughter Heena Kausar from her first marriage. Heena Kausar played second fiddle in many ‘B’ Grade films including some big banner hits like- “Pakeezah” (1972), “Parvarish” (1977), “Kaalia” (1981), “Dharam Kanta” ( 1982) “Razia Sultan” 1983 & “Mazloom” ( 1986).Like her mother she too was playful & vivacious kind. She also appeared in a Punjabi movie “Vairi Jatt” starring Veerendra & Daljit Kaur.
K. Asif died in the prime of his life in 1971, then aged 48. Resultantly, Nigar Sultana had to look after his all children. Born this day in 1932 in Hyderabad.
