Tribute to Waheed Murad, 2 October 1938 - 23 November 1983.

Waheed Murad, was a Pakistani film actor, producer and script writer, famous for his charming expressions, attractive personality, tender voice and unusual talent for acting.

He is considered as one of the most famous and influential actors of South Asia. He is often referred to as “Chocolate Hero”.

Waheed Murad was born on October 2, 1938 and died in November 23, 1983.He was a Pakistani film actor, producer and script writer. The only child of well-off film distributor Mr. Nisar Murad. He got his early education from Karachi Grammar School or Marie Colaco School, Karachi, did graduation from S.M. Arts College Karachi, and then masters in English literature from University of Karachi. 

His romantic style of acting made him popular as well as controversial. One of his block buster films is Armaan, which was produced by himself, made a pivotal impact on the sub-continental film industry such that the Pakistani film industry was considered as the rising sun after Indian film industry. Armaan made him a superstar overnight and as equal to the Indian film titans such as Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor, Dev Anand, Ashok Kumar and Prithviraj Kapoor. Once, in an interview in 1967, he said that Dilip Kumar, too, is not an immortal actor. 

Waheed Murad started his film career in 1961 as producer of the film Insaan badalta hai. As an actor he was firstly appeared in a supporting role in 1962's Aulad directed by S.M. Yousuf; the film got the Nigar award for the best film for the year. Heera aur pathar in 1964 was his first movie as lead actor and his major breakthrough film. He got the Nigar award in the best actor category for the same film. 

Waheed was the first Rock n' Roll dancing star in South Asia. He was famously known as the 'Chocolate Hero' and 'Lady Killer'. His dressing style, the hair style, dialogues and songs used to be liked and followed by people. Waheed's hair cut was very popular among the young and was called the 'Waheed Murad cut'. In his hey days Waheed once went to Saddar area of Karachi in his white car. Realising it was Murad's car, a group of 30 college girls covered the vehicle with lipstick kisses.

He enlivened the silver screen with his extraordinary talent in acting and picturisation esp. in romantic songs. Some of the songs that still turn many nostalgic are Tumhain kaisay bata doon, Kuch log rooth kar bhi, Dil tumko dey diya, Koko korina, Jhoom aye dil wo dera jaan-e-bahar aye ga, Beetay huway khuch din aisay hain tanhai jinhain duhrati hey, Mujhe tum nazar say gira to rahay ho, Yun kho gaiy teray pyar mein hum, Socha tha piyar na karan gain, Khamosh hein nazaray and Aye abre karam aaj itna baras. 

Waheed Murad fell in love with Salma, a daughter of Karachi based industrialist and a Memon Ibrahim Maker, when both were in grade nine in Grammar School, Karachi. Their marriage took place on Thursday, September 17, 1964. The wedding ceremony was arranged at Nisar Murad's house in Tariq Road, Karachi. He addressed his wife as Bibi at home.They had two daughters (Aaliya and Sadia) and one son (Adil). Sadia died in infancy and both Waheed Murad and Salma were became inconsolable. However, their two children, Aalia and Adil brought happiness and comfort to their lives.

Waheed Murad’s acting style has the legacy of being taught in Indian and Pakistani film institutions. He is considered as one of the pioneering Rock n’ Roll stars of Pakistan. His fans term him as the cultural icon of the Pakistani Film Industry.