Darpan

Darpan was a top film hero from 1959-66. He was introduced in an Urdu film Amanat in 1950 and after only one more Punjabi film Billo (1951), he left Pakistan and tried his luck in Mumbai, where he appeared in few Indian films, like Heer, Barati and Adl-e-Jahangir. But he was more interested in non-professional activities there and became one of many victim of famous Indian actress Nigar Sultana (who played famous Dil Aram role in the classic Indian film Mughal-e-Azam). Before Darpan, she was married to director S.M. Yousuf and actor Zahoor Raja.

Darpan was back in Lahore after few years, where film industry was booming and he acted in his first film Baap ka Gunnah (1957). He got breakthrough from famous film Noor-e-Islam same year. Saleem Raza's evergreen film Naat..

• Shah-e-Madina. Yasrib Kay Wali, Saray Nabi Teray Dar Kay Siwali..

was filmed on him in this film. His first super hit film was his own produced film Sathi in 1959. Saheli in 1960 was his all time best film with lead role by his real wife actress Nayyar Sultana and his most famous heroine Shamim Ara. Raat kay Rahi (1960), Gulfam, Insan Badalta Hay (1961), Qaidi, Anchal (1962), Baji, Shikwa, Ik Tera Sahara (1963) and Naela (1965) were some of his big films. His last big film as hero was Payel ki jhankar in 1966. He was side hero in film Saiqa (1968), villain in Ik Gunah aur Sahi (1975) and supporting actor in few other films. He was seen in 67 films, 57 Urdu, 8 Punjabi and 2 Pashto films. His last film was as Pashto film Laram in 1986.

Darpan produced some movies like Gulfam in 1961 and directed film Azamt in 1973. The all time best film song by Mehdi Hassan was picturized on him in this film..

• Zindagi Mein To Sabhi Pyar Kiya Kartay Hayn..

Darpan's real name was Syed Ishrat Abbas and he was born in 1928. Santosh (Syed Musa Raza) was his elder brother and director S. Suleman and Mansoor (a flopped actor from the mid 1970s) were his step-brothers. He was married to Nayyar Sultana and he died on November 8, 1980 at Lahore.