Ali Sufiyan Afaqi

Ali Sufiyan Afaqi (22 August 1933 27 January 2015; sometimes spelled Sufyan Afaqi) was a Pakistani film producer, director, writer, and journalist. He made his debut in Lollywood films with his first ever Urdu film Thandi Sarak in 1957, and later contributed to other films as a writer and director, however he earned recognition as a film producer. He wrote about twenty-eight books on travel documentary and biographies, including Filmi Alif Laila, a book on the history of Pakistani cinema.

Early life Ali Sufiyan Afaqi was born on 22 August 1933 as Ali Sufiyan in British India (in modern-day Sehore district of Bhopal, India). Following the Partition of India in 1947, he along with his family migrated to Pakistan and settled in Lahore. At the time of migration, he was fourteen. In 1951, he obtained a BA degree.

Career He first joined the Urdu cinema as a storywriter and later wrote dialogues for Aadmi and Ayyaz films. In 1965, he worked as a producer of Kaneez film. Prior to his association as a producer, he first worked in Thandi Sarak film as a storywriter. As a storywriter, producer and director, he produced Urdu language films such as Joker, Aaj Kal, Aasra Aik Hi Rasta and Shikwa among others.

Books

Autobiographical Works / Travelogues Safarnāmah e Āmarīkā (سفرنامۂ امریکہ; Travelogue of America) – A detailed Urdu travelogue chronicling his observations and experiences during travels in the United States. Zarā England Tak (ذرا انگلستان تک; Towards England) – A reflective travel narrative capturing cultural and social contrasts observed in the UK. Yūrop ka Koh-i-Qāf (یورپ کا کوہِ قاف; The Mountain of Qaf of Europe) – A metaphorical and travel-inspired account of his experiences in Europe.

Film-Related Works Filmi Alf Laylā (فلمی الف لیلیٰ; The Filmic One Thousand and One Nights) – A three-volume memoir and oral history of the Pakistani film industry. Neel Kināre (نیل کنارے; Banks of the Nile) – A memoir based on his travel to Egypt and reflections on cross-cultural film experiences. Tilismāt-e Farang (طلسماتِ فرنگ; Magic of Foreign Lands) – Observational essays and satirical notes on Western societies and their contrasts with South Asia.

Biographical and Cultural Sketches Chānd Chehre (چاند چہرے; Moon-Faced Stars) – Biographical sketches of legendary South Asian actresses like Meena Kumari and Rekha. Millat ka Pāsban: Muhammad Ali Jinnah (ملت کا پاسبان: محمد علی جناح; The Nation’s Guardian: Muhammad Ali Jinnah) – A respectful biographical account of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Khawābon ki Sarzamīn (خوابوں کی سرزمین; Land of Dreams) – Essays reflecting on the cultural and artistic fabric of Pakistan.