Zeenat is a 1975 Pakistani film directed by S. Suleman. Featuring in double roles, Shabnam also played the titular role in the film with Nadeem Baig and Shahid in prominent roles. The film revolves around the sufferings of a child girl and her journey to womanhood until she is accepted by her grandfather.[1] The Mehdi Hassan's ghazal featured in the film, "Rafta Rafta Wo Meri Hasti Ka Samaa Hogye" became huge popular and he eventually went on to win a Nigar Award for it as a playback singer.[2][3]
| Zeenat | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | S. Suleman |
| Written by | Agha Hassan Imtesal |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring |
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| Music by | Nashad |
Release date | 30 May 1975 |
Running time | approx. 3 hours |
| Country | Pakistan |
| Language | Urdu |
The film was a golden jubilee hit at box office.[4] At 19th Nigar Awards it won five awards.[3]
Nawab Hashmat wants a male heir due to the threatening of division of property. However, a girl, Zeenat births by his son Waqar and daughter-in-law Nargis and he orders to kill her. However on Waqar's begging, he leaves her on this condition to raise her with servants away from her parents. Owing to maternal mortality, Zeenat's mother dies and father also kills in a fatal accident leaving her newly born brother Shaukat behind.
Shaukat turns older, does nothing except going in clubs and wasting money in bad hobbies. He owns all porperty on his name by deception because his grandfather (the Nawab) didn't want to do so due to his nature. On the other hand, Zeenat gets married to Khurram, son of Nawab's hakim. Khurram goes to abroad after marriage and his mother throws Zeenat out of the house. She goes to her grandfather's house where he realises his mistake as the male heir he wants at a time, now treats him badly. He eventually disowns Shaukat which brings him to the right path. Khurram returns from abroad and yells at his mother for her bad deeds. He brings Zeenat back to home with proper rukhsati ceremony from her grandfather's house.
Zeenat received 5 Nigar Awards in the following categories:[5]
| Category | Awardee |
|---|---|
| Best actress | Shabnam |
| Best supporting actor | Agha Talish |
| Best comedian | Munawwar Zarif |
| Best male playback singer | Mehdi Hassan |
| Best sound | A.Z. Baig |