Zahur Raja

Zahur Raja was an actor, producer, director and singer in Indian and Pakistan Cinema. He was known for his roles in films Mirza Sahiban, Pooja (1940), Sikandar (1941), Badil (1942), Sewa (1942), Mazaaq (1943), O Panchhi (1944), Panchhi (1944), Bhai (1944), Ghazal (1945), Anmol Ghadi (1946).

Early life He was born into an Abbasi family on 7 July 1918 in Lora, Abbottabad, during the British Raj.

As a member of the college's Dramatic Society, his performances caught the attention of the principal, who later recommended Zahur for the film industry in his final report.

Career He went to Abdur Rashid Kardar with a letter which he sent during his college days. Director Kardar then hired him in Kardar Productions later he cast Zahur in lead role in Punjabi film Mirza Sahiban with popular actress Zubeida and Sahiba it was a hit movie at the box office.

Then he got many offers by many companies and then joined Minerva Movietone. He worked in lead roles in film Sikandar the film was directed by Sohrab Modi and written by Sudarshan starring with Meena Shorey, K. N. Singh, Vanamala and Prithviraj Kapoor the film was a massive hit at box office. Then he learned directing and started his own production company with the help of Mr R. S. Lakhani who was his financing partner.

In 1942 he directed his productions film Badil in which he also acted and later he directed film Khayyam which was about a Persian poet. Later Zahur then married a Children's radio host at BBC in England in 1956 and had four children.

Filmography Film Year Film Language 1939 Mirza Sahiban Punjabi 1939 Pyam-e-Haq Hindi 1940 Pooja Hindi 1941 Sikandar Hindi 1942 Sewa Hindi 1942 Badil Hindi 1943 Mazaaq Hindi 1944 O Panchhi Hindi 1944 Panchhi Hindi 1944 Bhai Hindi 1945 Ghazal Hindi 1946 Dhadkan Hindi 1946 Anmol Ghadi Hindi 1950 Jahad Urdu 1951 Jadoo Hindi 1959 Gumrah Urdu 1960 Khyber Mail Urdu 1961 Ghazi Bin Abbas Urdu 1961 Gulfarosh Urdu 1964 Deevana Urdu 1966 Baghi Sardar Urdu 1966 Koh-e-Noor Urdu 1968 Asmat Urdu