Famous Filmmaker Riaz Shahid Remembered

Distinguished Pakistani filmmaker, film writer and journalist Riaz Shahid was remembered on his death anniversary on Monday.

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Oct, 2018 ) :Distinguished Pakistani filmmaker, film writer and journalist Riaz Shahid was remembered on his death anniversary on Monday.

Riaz Shahid was a noted filmmaker whose real name was Sheikh Riaz, but was called by his nickname Shahid. Originally from Kashmir, Riaz settled in Lahore where he started his career as a journalist for newspaper Chataan and later joined Faiz Ahmed Faiz's Lail-o-Nihar. He also wrote a novel named Hazar Dastaan.

In 1958, Riaz debuted in the film 'Bharosa', as a scriptwriter.

In 1962, Riaz started his film career as a director for the film Susraal. From this point onwards, he went on to direct several hits like Zarqa, Yeh Aman, Gharnata and Bahisht. Riaz won the Nigar Award for 'Neend` (1959), 'Shaheed' (1961) 'Shikwa' (1963) 'Farangi' (1964), 'Zarqa' (1969), 'Bahisht` (1974) and for `Haidar Ali` (1978). He was married to Neelo,a famous film actress of the 60's. His son Shaan has been leading hero of urdu and Punjabi films for the last over two decades. Riaz Shahid died of leukemia on October 1 in 1972.