Sabiha Khanum and Santosh Kumar

A remarkable nobility of looks and manners marked the screen presence of Santosh Kumar. When he met the screen queen of the 1950s, Sabiha, who was known for her vivacity and beauty, it was a rare combination that lit up the screen. They first worked together in the first film Santosh did in Pakistan, which was Masood Parvez’s Beli in 1950s. But, it was actually Anwar Kamal Pasha’s Do Aansoo, the same year that launched the pair in the cine-circuit of the country. Later, they did many hit films together, namely Ghulam, Qatil, Inteqam, Hamida, Sarfarosh, Ishq-e-Laila, Wadah, Saat Lakh, Hasrat, Moseeqar, Daman etc. But it is said that during the making of Hasrat in 1958, they got married. The Sabiha-Santosh pair was a symbol of the pure and earthy elements, enriching an atmosphere that was essentially classical. Their true brilliance is revealed in the ritually romantic excellence of films like Wadah, Qatil and Moseeqar, intermingling the ideal family saga with ecstatic lift of semi classical music. Although Santosh and Sabiha did well in costume films like Sarfarosh and Sardar, they seemed more at ease in purely romantic flicks set in the village-meets-city tales. The fine tuned performances that they gave consistently were even praised by the top notch directors across the border.

The last movies of the pair, of course, as supporting actors, were Anjuman, and Mohabbat. Santosh died on 11th June, 1982, which also took much screen light out of Sabiha. Although she continued to play mother to lots of heroes on the celluloid, she wasn’t the same any more.

Santosh Kumar with Sabiha Khanum

Pakistan’s first ever romantic film hero Syed Moosa Raza aka Santosh Kumar was born on 25th December, 1925 in Lahore. He graduated from Usmania University Hyderabad Deccan with distinction as it was pre-requisite for higher Govt. Officer Job. While he was waiting for his interview a friend diverted his attention towards films. Since Santosh looked like a typical prince of a romantic movie with superb facial cuts, more than average height, quick wit, and praise-worthy etiquette – he didn’t have to work hard for a role in films. ‘Ahensa’ was the first film of Santosh as a hero, which was released in 1948, under the banner of Kashmir films. In 1948, he also appeared as a side hero in his second movie, ‘Meri Kahani’ which was released in 1949 at Nishat cinema, Karachi. Munawwar Sultana and Surendra played the lead roles. After independence, Santosh migrated to Lahore, Pakistan, along with his family. ‘Beli’ was his first film as a hero, which was shot and released in Pakistan. In 1949, director Anwar Kamal Pasha, son of Hakeem Ahmed Shuja Pasha, established his film studio, ‘Naubahar films’ and started the shooting of the film ‘Do Aansoo’, which was based on a novel, ‘Baap ka gunah’, penned by his father. ‘Do Aansoo’ was released in April 1950, in Jubilee cinema, Karachi, and it was also the first silver jubilee film of Pakistan. Santosh performed the role of ‘Aslam’ opposite two lead actresses, Sabiha and Gulshan Ara. Other performers were Shamim Bano, Himaliya Wala, Shahnawaz, Ajmal, Fazal Shah, Azad, Alauddin, Ghazala and a new comer, comedian , Asif Jah. ‘Do Aansoo’ not only gave a vintage quality to the performance of the entire film crew, but also proved to be a milestone in each and every participant’s career. From 1950 onwards, Santosh became the necessity for the films and he never looked back. One commercially successful movie after another kept its grip on his imagination and he worked relentlessly to pursue realistic goals.

Considering the changing times and trends in the 1960s film circle, he joined hands with a reputable international organization as the sales director, alongside he contributed to the Pakistani cinema as a producer and an actor, as well. Film ‘Shaam Dhalay’ was the only movie in his film career, which he produced, directed and played the lead role as well.

Santosh Kumar was highly educated and knowledgeable person as is evident from the fact that he participated in Tariq Aziz’s TV Quiz Show Neelam Ghar in 1980′s and won the Car. Santosh left for the eternal journey on June 11, 1982. Today, Santosh Kumar is no longer with us, but his memorable performances ignited a fire in the countless cine-goers that will never extinguish… (Source – Youtube article written by Dr. Hassan Bukhari)

Santosh Kumar in Do Ansoo (1950)

Sentimental melodrama beginning with the dilemma of a spoilt and prodigal Nawab, played competently by Himaliyawala, who has one daughter born to his mistress, a resident of local brothel, and one to his legally wedded wife. Two daughters bring twofold woes as the title of the film implies. His family pride is at stake with the prospect of his daughter growing up in a brothel, and lacking the means to buy custody of the child, he makes a desperate attempt to run away with her but ends up killing the father-cum-procurer of his mistress. His fate is fourteen years in prison but the real burnt is borne by the wife and daughter who are left without a roof over their heads. Bakhshu Baba, a loyal and faithful servant, comes to their rescue. He takes them to his village where they start a new life. The wife declares her husband dead in order to spare her daughter from this painful chapter in their lives. Time passes and the girl (Sabiha Khanum), is now a charming young woman.

Her childhood friendship with the son of the landlord turns into an engagement with the blessings of both the families. As fate would have it, the young man, Santosh Kumar, is a final year student of a college in the city where he lives with some friends. The city boys lure him to a mujra. Here he encounters the other girl (Gulshan Ara), who has so far been successful in avoiding all `arrangements’ made by her mother. The decency of the young man impresses her and she is drawn towards him In the meantime, the Nawab is released from prison after completing his term. In disguise, he gets a job as a watchman at the brothel. Seeing a chance of redemption for his daughter, he helps Santosh and Gulshan Ara get married. During the ceremony, the other daughter, her mother already dead, finds her way to the house of the young man with the help of Bakhshu Baba. Shocked by witnessing the marriage of her fiancé to her unknown sister she meets with an accident and dies. The father’s crime completely ruins the lives of two innocent persons, the mother and the daughter. This pathetic and tragic tale drew large audiences and the film ran for twenty-five weeks (Silver – Jubilee), a great achievement for a local film at that time.

The cast, comprising veterans like Shahnawaz, Ajmal, and Himaliyawala, was supported by Shamim and up-and-upcoming artistes Allaudin, Asif Jah, Santosh Kumar, and Gulshan Ara. A new find, Sabiha Khanum was the mainstay of the film. Crisply directed, the film holds the viewer’s attention even today with its smooth flow of editing. However, the fact that it was made on a shoestring budget is evident from the simple two dimensional set designs.

Do Ansoo was based on Hakim Shuja’s story about the decadence of aristocracy. It would have been better suited against a Lucknow or Oudh background. Since the locale was not very well-identified, it worked well here. After the success of Do Ansoo, the director Anwar Kamal Pasha never looked back – Mushtaq Gazdar

Cast and Production Credits

Year - 1950, Genre – Drama, Country - Pakistan, Language - Urdu, Producer -Sheikh Latif, Director -Anwar Kamal Pasha, Music Director – Mubarak Ali, Cast -Sabiha Khanum, Santosh Kumar, Shamim, Gulshan Ara, Himaliyawala, Shahnawaz, Ajmal, Asif Jah and Alauddin