Masood Parvez

Masood Parvez (1918 – 10 March 2001), also known as Masud Pervaiz, was a prominent Pakistani film director celebrated for his contributions to Lollywood. Born in Amritsar, British India, he was a relative of the iconic Saadat Hasan Manto, his maternal uncle. Parvez earned his Master of Science in Physics from Government College, Lahore, before venturing into the world of cinema.

Initially drawn to a Ph.D. in Germany, he redirected his path at the behest of Saadat Hasan Manto, joining him in Bombay. There, he immersed himself in the film industry, contributing to various Indian films. Following the partition of the Indian subcontinent, Parvez migrated to Pakistan, settling in Lahore.

In 1950, Masood Parvez marked his directorial debut with "Beli," a film notable for introducing Sabiha Khanum and Santosh Kumar to the industry. Despite its initial box office setback caused by political turmoil after partition, the film laid the foundation for Parvez's cinematic journey. It also served as the debut film for renowned composer Rashid Attre in Pakistan.

Masood Parvez as a director made a masterpiece film like Heer Ranjha. Masood Pervez, a highly respected name, directed films like Intizar (1956), Quil (1959) and Mirza Jat (1967) as well as Heerranjha (1970).

1st Golden Jubilee Punjabi Movie Heroes

Before Partition, he acted as an actor in three films, including Mangti (1942), the first Golden Jubilee Punjabi film of the subcontinent, made in Lahore. This memorable film had the honor of running for 60 weeks in Lahore and starred Mumtaz Shanti, who was also the heroine of the subcontinent's first Diamond Jubilee Urdu/Hindi film Qasmat (1943).

Film record of Masood Parvez

After the creation of Pakistan, he was the director of 21 films, the filmmaker of 8 films, the writer of 2 films and a poet who wrote two songs in one film. His first film was Belly (1950) and his last film was Mirzajat (1982), which he did twice. He had made 13 Urdu and 8 Punjabi films.

He also had the honor of being selected to produce a historical film Khak wa Khoon (1979) based on a novel by the well-known writer Naseem Hijazi, at the government expense, by a government agency, NEFDIC. was done.

Masood Parvez's filmography included diverse Urdu and Punjabi films, with notable contributions such as "Heer Ranjha." His work showcased a blend of artistic vision and storytelling. His notable relative, Saadat Hasan Manto, a literary giant, influenced Parvez's artistic pursuits.

Masood Parvez passed away in Lahore on 10 March 2001, leaving behind a cinematic legacy that shaped the landscape of Pakistani cinema. His journey reflects a dedication to storytelling and a commitment to the cinematic arts in the face of significant historical transitions.