‘Ghunghat’ to be screened at Lok Virsa today

Islamabad
Screenwriter-Director-Composer: Khursheed Anwar
Producer: Sultan Jilani-Khursheed Anwar
Camera: Nabi Ahmad
Cast: Santosh Kumar, Nayyar Sultana, Talish, Neelo, Laila
‘Ghunghat’ (1962) will be screened at Lok Virsa film club 'Mandwa' today (Saturday) at 4:30 p.m. There are several outstanding factors, which distinguish ‘Ghunghat’ from many other Pakistani films from that era. 1962 was a year which saw some of the most memorable films produced here.
Qhalil Qaiser-Riaz Shahid's ‘Shaheed’, Hameed Akhtar's ‘Sukh Ka sapna’, Fazal Karim Fazli's ‘Chiragh Jalta Raha’, GA Gul and Munshi Dil's partly colour film ‘Azra’ (processed at Rank Laboratories in London), Qadeer Ghori's musical, ‘Mosiqar’, first Urdu film from Dhaka ‘Chanda’ and Riaz Shahid's art film, ‘Susral’. Each one of these titles carried some significance, be it the art element, the film for education factor, the new faces which turned into superstars in the coming years, the patriotism and sacrifices in Palestine and much more but all that for later.
And now ‘Ghunghat’. This was our second film sent to the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences as our nomination for Best Foreign Film. Earlier, ‘Jago Huwa Savera’ was submitted for Academy Award. Both the films did not get the nomination. However, the fact remains that these two films were privileged and distinguished nominations. ‘Ghunghat’ did win four Nigar Awards for Best Actor (Santosh Kumar), Music (Khursheed Anwar), Photography (Nabi Ahmad) and Editing (Ali).
The second factor which brings distinction to ‘Ghunghat’ is its musical score by Khursheed Anwar with lyrics by Tanvir Naqvi. Melodies by Noorjehan and Mehdi Hassan are now precious part of our film music history: ‘Mujh ko awaaz dey to kahaan hai’, ‘Tumhey yaad ho key na yaad ho’, ‘Merey piya ko dhdoond key lao sakhi’ and ‘Janam janam ki pyas’.
Yet another exceptional merit of ‘Ghunghat’ is Nabi Ahmad's brilliant camerawork. He brings magic with mist and fog in the breathtaking woods of Murree hills. These special effects are very much integral part of the film and its mysterious outdoor locations. The suspenseful lost- and- found plot of ‘Ghunghat’ should not be revealed here, Santosh Kumar and Nayyar Sultana play the leads with complex characterisation. They are well supported by Talish, Neelo and Laila.
The author can be reached at aijazzgul@gmail.com