Remembering Waheed Murad
By Rafique Ahmed
Los Angeles, CA
The 38th death anniversary of legendary Pakistani film actor‚ producer and script writer Waheed Murad was recently observed on November 23, 2021.
Born in Sialkot in 1938, he was popular for his attractive personality‚ tender voice and unusual talent for acting in films.
My heartfelt and sincere apology
When I released my original write-up about Waheed Murad's 38th Death Anniversary on November 23, my entire article did not get loaded up in my system due to a computer glitch. I tried to fix it myself, could not do it. Unfortunately, the software company was also closed because of holidays. Since I was determined to pay my heartfelt tributes to my good friend, Waheed Murad on his death anniversary, I did not have any other choice except releasing my incomplete email to all of you. I am extremely sorry and deeply regret the inconvenience caused in this matter. I have made all the missing corrections and am resending my email with my personal and respected tributes to Waheed Murad together with my sincere apologies to all of you. Please forgive me for this stupid mishap. Thanks!)
Waheed Murad was born in Sialkot in 1938. He was known for his attractive personality‚ tender voice and unusual talent for acting in films.
Waheed Murad received many prestigious awards including Sitara-e-Imtiaz which was awarded to him posthumously.
He subsequently began his film career as a producer with 1961’s Insaan Badalta Hai, followed by Jab Se Dekha Hai Tumhe.
His first film Aulaad (1962) proved to be a super hit at the box office and so started what would be a long, decorated film career that many still aspire to emulate today.
Thereafter, he played the male lead in Heera Aur Pathar (1964), which also became a hit.
Then, in 1966, he acted in and produced Armaan which broke all records of Pakistani cinema, playing in theatres for 75 weeks. Murad received two Nigar Awards for the film as well.
The late Waheed Murad has other mega hits like Doraha, Devar Bhabi, Ehsaan, Yahan Tum Wahan Hum, Usse Dekha Usse Chaha and Dushman to his credit, wherein he worked with all the leading female stars of his time, including Neelo, Shamim Ara, Zeba, Aliya, Shabnum, Sangeeta, Kaveeta and Babra Shariff. In all, he worked in 124 films in his career.
Waheed Murad fell in love with Salma, daughter of a Karachi industrialist, Ibrahim Maker when both were in grade nine in Grammar School, Karachi. After a few years, their marriage took place on Thursday, September 17, 1964. They had two daughters (Aaliya and Sadia) and one son (Adil). Sadia died in infancy and both Waheed Murad and Salma became extremely sad. However, their two children, Aalia and Adil, later did bring a lot of happiness and comfort to their lives. At present, Salma, Adil and Aaliya all live in Houston, Texas with their families. I am extremely grateful to Waheed Murad's wife, Salma and son Adil Murad for reading my knowledgeable and meaningful emails very regularly.
I was also saddened by the death of their newborn daughter, Sadia and called Waheed Murad at home. I told him that I wanted to come to spend some time with him during the most difficult time in their life. He said, "Come on over. I will be here." I immediately went to his house, expressed my heartfelt condolences, and offered my sincere prayers for the family. After a while, Waheed Murad asked me, "Rafique, do you have a ride? I did not work for the last few days. But today, I have to go to the Modern Studios to finish something real important. I could drop you off at your house on the way." I was only a 22-year-old young man at that time and did not have my own car although I frequently used to drive my Dad's car without a driver's license. He did drop me off at my house. I thanked him from the bottom of my heart for his thoughtfulness.
Waheed Murad, who became known as the ‘Chocolate Hero’ of Pakistan, passed away on November 23, 1983, at the young age of 45 years. Waheed’s son Aadil was in Karachi staying with his grandmother. A day before his face surgery, Waheed celebrated his birthday. He bought several gifts for Aadil and wished him a happy year. He returned late to spend the night at Anita Ayub’s mother Mumtaz Ayub’s home. When Waheed did not wake up until late, the door had to be forced open and Waheed was found lying on the floor, dead for several hours. A paan leaf with ‘something’ in it was found in his mouth. Nobody knows for sure if it was a heart attack or suicide.[2][20] Waheed was buried near his father’s grave in Gulberg Graveyard, Ali Zeb Road, Lahore.
I had the pleasure and privilege of knowing Waheed Murad personally, and played lot of cricket together for Jang Cricket Club in Karachi until 1969 when I moved to America to get an MBA degree. After acquiring my MBA, I decided to settle down right here in America, the greatest country in the world. I would like to go back in memory lane to my hometown, Karachi in order to pay my heartfelt and sincere tributes to Waheed Murad, who was a great actor, producer, writer, director and also a very kind, respectful and decent human being and friend. I will always treasure my precious and fond memories of Waheed Murad.
The last time I met Waheed Murad was in June, 1969 when I went to the Modern Studios in Karachi to invite him to my wedding. Waheed Murad was busy shooting with the most popular Pakistani heroine at that time, Shamim Ara on the set of the film Salgirah. He was very happy to see me. I gave him my wedding invitation and told him that my would-be wife, Shahana was a great fan of his and would be thrilled with joy if he could join us at the wedding. Waheed Murad asked me when was the wedding. I said, "next month, on July 20th which is also the First Moon Landing Day (Apollo 11 also landed on the Moon for the first time in history on our wedding day)." He congratulated me and also expressed regrets that only couple of days ago, he had committed and confirmed dates in Lahore to complete a couple of movies and won't be in Karachi to attend my wedding. Waheed Murad also said, "Rafique, when I come back, I will take you and your wife to dinner. That is my promise." I also reminded him that exactly one month after the wedding, I would be leaving for America for my MBA. "If you come back before I leave, we will go for dinner together, otherwise don't worry. I do appreciate your kind invitation and good wishes. Thanks for your kind gesture. That is more than enough for me." The month after the wedding went by too quick lyand Waheed Murad being a perfectionist got delayed in Lahore and did not make it back in time. I and Shahana, both did not have any regrets considering the circumstances.
I have the strong feelings that Waheed Murad, my deceased wife, Shahana and I altogether will have a very delicious dinner in Jannah, Insha'Allah. I and Waheed Murad will also play a lot of cricket together in Jannah too.
In one of his last interviews Waheed Murad had said, "Sometimes I think that if I suddenly disappear or am no more for any reason, I would like to be remembered by the song 'Bhooli hui hoon dastaan, guzra hua khayal hoon/ Jiss ko na tum samajh sakay mien aisa aik sawal hoon'."
(I'm a tale forgotten, a thought bygone. I'm the question which you couldn't understand).
The Death of Waheed Murad
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'oon
Tragedy struck Waheed Murad in 1982 when his loving father, Nisar Murad became extremely sick and passed away in June 1982. Another tragedy struck Waheed Murad soon after when he himself became extremely sick. He had already undergone surgery for appendicitis in September,1980. In the summer of 1982, he developed ulcer problems. On January 2, 1983, his ulcer burst and a part of his stomach had to be removed. Later, in September, he had an accident while driving in Lahore. It left a scar on his face. Arrangements for plastic surgery were still being made when he passed away in a friend's house in Karachi, in the early hours of November 23, 1983. The cause of death was cardiac arrest.
His son Adil was with him at that time while his wife Salma and daughter Aliya were away on a trip to the US, visiting some relatives.
The news of the death spread like fire throughout Pakistan. Everyone was in a state of shock and disbelief. It was extremely hard for millions of fans in tears to believe that their beloved 'Chocolate Hero' Waheed Murad has returned to his Creator at the young age of 45. Representing all Pakistanis, President of Pakistan, Zia-ul-Haque expressed sorrow and heartfelt condolences to Salma Waheed Murad.
On the day of his burial, more than twenty thousand fans including men, women and grown-up children in Lahore came out on the streets joining the funeral procession and giving a great send-off to not only a great human being, but also the most favorite and popular 'Chocolate Hero' of Pakistan. To date, it is considered as the largest funeral in the history of Lahore.
After the funeral prayers, Waheed Murad was buried next to his father in the Gulberg Graveyard in Lahore. May Allah rest his departed soul in eternal peace in Jannatul Firdaus and keep his family under His protection. Ameen
