Classic film ‘Armaan’ to be screened at Lok Virsa on 29th

Director-Screenplay: Pervaiz Malik
Producer-Story: Waheed Murad
Music: Sohail Rana
Lyrics: Masroor Anwar
Cast: Waheed Murad, Zeba, Nirala, Rozina, Tarannum, Kamal Irani
Islamabad
The Lok Virsa Film Club 'Mandwa' is bringing a memorable film ‘Armaan’ (1966) for screening on August 29 at 6 p.m.
Diehard film enthusiasts have been asked to come with the dresses worn in the mid-sixties (tight trousers, pointed shoes and narrow neckties) or else pay a penalty.
This also happened on August 18 at the launch of ‘Heer Ranjha’ when we saw ‘lachaas’, ‘khusas’ and hand-fans.
‘Armaan’ became one of those films which carved out the careers of many actors and artists behind the camera. Waheed Murad and Zeba were a case in point who became celebrities with the platinum jubilee run of ‘Armaan’. To a lesser extent, Rozina, Nirala,Tarannum and Kamal Irani also became recognised names.
Sohail Rana turned into one of Pakistan's top composers. Ahmad Rushdi and Mala as playback singers too won in their respective categories. ‘Armaan’ was followed by this team with ‘Ehsaan’ and ‘Doraha’. In the later, Zeba was replaced by Shamim Ara.
‘Armaan’ also established Karachi as our second film centre after Lahore with Eastern Film Studios, Modern Studios, and later, International Studios. With the outstanding success of ‘Armaan’, Karachi was filled with activities, glamour and gloss of film-making. To use a cliché, it was a win-win salutation for everyone.
‘Armaan’ was supposed to be a contemporary subject from 1966. Rich boy, poor girl, romance, two other female characters for the sidekicks, comedy, child born out of wedlock thrown into the lap of heroine, betrayal, more sufferings and finally a dramatic climax with the smash hit song ‘Akaley na jaana’ rendered by Mala. More hit songs came with:’Coco Co Rena’ and ‘Jab pyar mey do dil miltey haeen’ and ‘Mei sochta hoo’. Locations of Murree came as a fringe benefit.
The author can be reached at aijazzgul@gmail.com