Allaudin — ‘Nizam Lohar’ to be screened today

Aijaz Gul
Director: Jamil Akhtar
Script: Riaz Shahid
Cast: Allaudin, Yasmeen, Neelo
Mandwa Film Club pays tribute to legendary actor Allaudin with his 1966 Punjabi film ‘Nizam Lohar’ on Saturday (November 18) in its Media Centre at 3 p.m.
Allaudin (1923-1983) wanted to be a singer and he arrived in Mumbai for film playback. The fate had something else stored for him. He made his screen debut in 1943 with ‘Sanjok’ and then ‘Namastey.’ This was followed by ‘Mela’ in 1948 where he was seen as father of superstar Nargis, the male lead played by Dilip Kumar. ‘Mela’ was a smash hit at the box office but it was time to move on and he arrived in Lahore. Director-actor Nazir and his star wife Swaranlata introduced him in their productions, first in ‘Pherey’ and then in ‘Shehri Babu.’ And even though he was seen here as villain, he went on to defy that image with comedy action, tragedy and character roles but seldom romance due to his average appearance and looks. What followed were several success films like ‘Patey Khan’, ‘Wadah’, ‘Dulla Bhatti’, ‘Raaz’, ‘Aadmi’, ‘Ishaq-e-Laila’, ‘Kartar Singh’, ‘Salma’, ‘Shaheed’ and ‘Badnam’, and still later, as helpless Indonesian father in ‘Bandish’ from 1980, partly filmed in Indonesia. Here the finale ends on him with his only daughter dying in his arms. In real life, Allaudin was mild and modest, known in the film trade as papa ji. Looking at his filmography from 1950 to 1980, he won numerous distinguished roles. He received several Nigar Awards for ‘Aas Pass’, ‘Aadmi’, ‘Raaz’, ‘Salma’, ‘Shikwa’ , ‘Badnam’ and ‘Bandish.’
His role in ‘Badnam’ as poor father who wants a better future for his daughter would be remembered forever. Riaz Shahid's dialogue between him his wife Nabila (loaded with greed and lust for jewellery) are now part of film history from the sixties. It was 1966 when director Jamil Akhtar's Punjabi film ‘Nazam Lohar’ opened nationwide. He had by then won critical respect from ‘Khamosh Raho.’ He had earlier started his film career by assisting director Khalil Qaiser in ‘Shaheed.’ And then came ‘Nizam Lohar’ in 1966. The film as the title suggests is about an iron smith, but in this case, he later decides to fight against the Imperialist forces in a remote Punjab village.
Jamil Akhtar did a remarkable job with this patriotic theme with a dramatic twist by adding Yasmeen. For a change, there is no romance here just tit bits by flirty (and tarty) Neelo.The real drama is knit around Nizam and Bali Tanadoorwali played skilfully by Yasmeen who has silently fallen for Nizam. But then Nizam, has no time or willingness for this. The only commitment he carries in his life is to resist and fight against the foreign forces.
‘Nizam Lohar’ played moderately at the box office but won good critical reviews. The film had no space for romance and required ‘Massala’ ingredients. What it did have was powerful direction, brilliant indoor camerawork with attractive framing and compositions. And above all, Allaudin and Yasmeen at their best with Riaz Shahid's touching lines. Today after 50 years, ‘Nizam Lohar’ still looks attractive and worth watching.
aijazzgul@gmail.com