S M Yusuf
- Real Name: Shaikh Muhammad Yusuf
- Born: 1910 (Mumbai)
- Died: 17 August, 1994 (Lahore, Pakistan)
- Primary Cinema: Hindi
- Spouse: Nigar Sultana
Film producer and director Shaikh Muhammad Yusuf or S M Yusuf, as he was known professionally, was among the industry’s early filmmakers. He made approximately 14 films in British India; he went on to make 13 films in Pakistani cinema. His directorials include Bharat Ke Lal (1936), Daulat (1937), Rangeela Mazdoor (1938), Rangeela Jawan (1940), Aaina (1944), Devar (1946), Pati Seva (1947), Bahurani (1950), Gumashta (1951), Anand Bhavan (1953), Guru Ghantal (1956), Paak Daman (1957), Mehndi (1958), Saheli (1960), Aulad (1962), Ashiana (1964), Eid Mubarak (1965), and Sharik-e-Hayyat (1967). Films he produced include Gumashta, Anand Bhavan, and Guzara (1954), while he also penned the screenplay for films such as Kahan Hai Manzil Teri (1939) and Rangeela Mazdoor. He was a recipient of the Nigar Awards for Aashiana and Saheli.
Born in 1910 in Bombay, Shaikh Muhammad Yusuf began his career on stage with Shakespearean plays. He went on to essay supporting actor roles in the Merchant of Venice, and Romeo and Juliet. Moving to cinema in the mid 1930s, he directed films such as Bharat Ke Lal, Daulat and Rangeela Mazdoor. Bharat Ke Lal was an action film starring Bhagwan Dada, Chandrarao Kadam, Khatun, and Firoza Begum, while Daulat had a star cast that included Chandrarao, Harishchandra, and Usharani. Active in Hindi cinema, he directed several films and also produced a few. Moving to Pakistan in the 1950s after Partition, he continued to direct films in the Pakistani film industry. His 1960 film Saheli, starring Shamim Ara, Bahar Begum, and Darpan became a big hit. The film won seven awards, including five Presidential medals and four Nigar Awards. A super hit musical romance, it told the story of a handsome young man and two beautiful young ladies attracted to him. Shamim Ara and Nayyar Sultana became sought-after actresses after the film’s success. Most of the songs from the film also became very popular. Salim Raza and Nasim Begum, the film's singers, also became popular due to the hit songs.
To S M Yusuf also goes credit for introducing two major actors - Waheed Murad and Qavi Khan in the Pakistani film industry.
Yusuf was married to actress Nigar Sultana while he lived in India, with whom he had one child. Their marriage lasted for approximately five years.
S M Yusuf passed away in Lahore, Pakistan on 17 August, 1994. He was 84.
References
Image courtesy: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a0/S.M._Yusuf.jpg
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Filmography (17)
SortRole
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Aulad 1962
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Mehndi 1958
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Maalik 1958
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Pak Daman 1957
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Guru Ghantal 1956
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Anand Bhavan 1953
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Hyderabad Ki Nazneen 1952
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Bikhare Moti 1951
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Bahurani 1950
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Grahasti 1948
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Grihasthi 1948
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Devar 1946
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