LAHORE: Habib-ur-Rehman, better known by screen name Habib, breathed his last in Lahore on Thursday. He was 85.
Habib, was a Pakistani film actor, director, producer and television actor. He was one of the busiest heroes of the industry and has established himself as one of most successful actors of Pakistani cinema. He has appeared both in Punjabi and Urdu language movies
Habib, a popular actor of Urdu and Punjabi language movies of 50s, was admitted to a local hospital in Lahore after suffering brain hemorrhage two weeks ago. He was shifted to intensive care unit of the hospital but could not survive.
Habib was born in an agriculturist Arain family of Patiala state of India in 1931. His family migrated to Pakistan in 1947. Habib married fellow film actress Naghma. He later separated and got divorced from her. Habib is the father of two sons and four daughters from his first wife, and another daughter later from his second wife. He was a highly educated person and was considered quite stylish in the film industry. Habib had a masters degree in Urdu, English and Persian.
He showcased his talent in more than 600 Punjabi and Urdu language films and is counted among the illustrious romantic heroes. He made his debut in film Lakhat-e-Jigar (1956). Then some of his films flopped till Aadmi (1958). He received an important role in the film Aadmi (1958) , breaking through obscurity and first became well-known as a film actor, and soon took other roles in Urdu hit films such as Ayyaz (1960), Zehr-e-Ishq (1958), Surayya (1961), Saperan (1961), Aulad (1962), Mehtab, Maa Ke Aansoo, Khandan, Aashiyana (1964), Fashion, Dil Ke Tukrey, Basheera (1972), Eid Mubarak (1965), Dil Aur Duniya, Haar Geya Insaan and Waqt. Mouj Mela (1963) was a super-hit musical Golden Jubilee film. He took the role of a side- hero in Pakistan's first Platinum Jubilee film, Jeedar (1965), but he could not repeat this success until 1967. Dil Da Jani (1967),Yaar Maar, Babul Da Wehra (1968), Chann Makhna (1968), Do Mutiyaran (1968), Chann Veer (1969), Mukhra Chann Warga, Genterman (1969), Waryam, Att Khuda Da Vair (1970), Chann Puttar (1970), Taxi Driver (1970), Rangu Jatt (1970), Duniya Paise Di (1971), Sajjan Be-Parwah, Ik Doli Do Kahar, Basheera (1972), "Do Pattar Annaran Dey (1972), Zaildar (1972) , Khushiya and "Malanga" are his famous Punjabi films. Habib also has directed and produced two Sindhi films "Baaghi" and "Allah Bachayo".
He was not successful as a film producer. Pardes and Haar Gaya Insaan were average box office films. Some other films he had produced had flopped at the box-office.