Khalil-Ur-Rehman Qamar

Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar is a Pakistani screenwriter, director, Urdu poet, lyricist and occasional actor and producer known for writing such dramas as Boota from Toba Tek Singh, Pyarey Afzal (2013), Sadqay Tumhare (2014), the top-rated Meray Paas Tum Ho (2019–2020), as well as the 2019 film Kaaf Kangana.

Early and personal life

Education Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar was born in 1962 in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. He studied in a government high school in Shad Bagh, Lahore. He used to write in school too and did further studies in B.Com followed by an MBA.

Professional career Khalil worked at the National Bank of Pakistan but sought retirement as he wanted to pursue a writing career.

Family He was engaged to his cousin Rukhsana Amin during his teenage but couldn't marry her due to family issues and conflicts. He wrote the drama serial Sadqay Tumhare based on his own love story during his teenage days. In 1985, Khalil married his first wife Rubi Naz. They have a son and a daughter. Khalil ur Rehman married his second wife Rozina Qureshi, while being married to Rubi. Rozina is an actress and was previously married to actor Faysal Qureshi. Khalil ur Rehman has a stepdaughter, Hanish Qureshi, from Rozina's marriage to Faysal and has two children of his own with Rozina.

Career Khalil started his TV drama career with Dastak Aur Darwaza (1995), that he wrote and acted in, and later produced a film Qarz (1997) which he also wrote. He also wrote the dialogues of Ghar Kab Aao Gay (2000), Tere Piyar Mein, Mukhra Chan Varga, Nikki Jai Haan but made his breakthrough with Boota from Toba Tek Singh (1999). Later, he used this style in his dramas Landa Bazar (2002) and Love, Life Aur Lahore. Khalil has written various drama serials but he is best known for his super-hit dramas Pyarey Afzal (2013), Sadqay Tumhare (2014), and Meray Paas Tum Ho (2019).

Controversies

Feminism and sexism On 3 March 2020, Qamar appeared on a Pakistani talk show on Neo News to discuss the Aurat March. When Qamar was speaking, Marvi Sirmed interrupted Qamar by shouting "Mera Jism Meri Marzi" (meaning "My Body, My Choice"), a feminist slogan. He made obscene remarks about Marvi’s body and also indulged in abusive name-calling towards her. Qamar was accused of sexism and heavily criticized by politicians and prominent figures, while Geo TV suspended his contract.

Abduction case On 15 July 2024, Qamar was abducted when he went to meet a woman supposedly pretending to be his fan who had allegedly invited him out, very early in the morning around 4:40am. His belongings were taken and a ransom was demanded. During this ordeal, the suspects filmed compromising and explicit videos of Qamar. When he refused to pay further extortion money, these videos were leaked online. The leaked footage shows Qamar with the woman who lured him as well as scenes of the video setup by the woman's accomplices. Majority Pakistanis called the abduction "poetic justice", saying that he was not abducted by men, but by women.

Qamar later filed a complaint with FIA's Cyber Crime Wing. The playwright alleged that the accused deceived him and made videos, later blackmailing him for money. The suspects were arrested and the case is currently proceeding at the Lahore High Court.

Filmography Television serials

Television shows

Films