Tribute to ‘Bao Sadiq’ with ‘Baharoo Phool Barsaoo’

Islamabad

Director-Screen player: M. Sadiq

Music: Nashad

Lyics: Shevan Rizvi

Cast: Rani, Waheed Murad, Sangeeta, Aslam Pervaiz, Ruksana, Munawar Zarif

Lok Virsa Film Club Mandwa pays tribute to Director M.Sadiq with his 1972 smash hit ‘Baharoo Phool Barsaoo.’ M. Sadiq known in film world as ‘Bao Sadiq’ was a name to be reckoned with.

He started his film career at Lahore in the silent era with producer-director and studio owner AR Kardar. His films from earlier career included ‘Rattan’, ‘Kajil’, ‘Paghri’ and ‘Sabaq.’ He later won fame with ‘Guru Dutt’; ‘Chodvian Ka Chand’, ‘Bahu Begum’ and ‘Noorjehan’. Indian films were banned here in September 1965. ‘Noorjehan’ was the first film in 1981 which received special permission from President Ziaul Haq for screening. M. Sadiq had earlier moved to Lahore.

M. Sadiq's first and last film in Pakistan ‘Baharoo Phool Barsoo’ was a smash hit however, due to lack of cooperation from Waheed Murad, the film was delayed. M. Sadiq did not live long after that and passed away. This speaks volumes on the sensitivity and how badly an artist-director can take non-compliance and absence of cooperation from his actors. After M. Sadiq's tragic and untimely demise, some work was completed by director Hassan Tariq. The film goers today must salute M. Sadiq and Hassan Tariq.

The tightly-knit screenplay of ‘Baharoo Phool Barsaoo’ was its forte. It was a romantic musical in the real sense of the term. ‘Noorjehan's’ gem of a song ‘Yeh ghar mera gulshan hai gulshan ka Khudahafiz’ was one of the musical highlights. The film revolved around nawabs, their luxurious lifestyle, desperation for male heir, betrayal and separation. Comic relief came from Munawar Zareef as additional box office ingredient .The happy end covers just about every trace of earlier tragic sequence. After all said and done, Waheed Murad and Rani do walk together into the sunset. ‘Baharo Phool Barsaoo’ in spite being stranded due to M. Sadiq's tragedy, did well at the box office, and gained critics approval notwithstanding other biggies ‘Bandagi’, ‘Bashira’, ‘Ehsaas’ and ‘Umrao Jan Ada’ from 1972.

—- aijazzgul@gmail.com