Khalil Qaiser | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1930 |
| Died | September 21, 1966 (aged 35–36) |
| Resting place | Lahore |
| Nationality | British Indian (1930-1947) Pakistani (1947-1966) |
| Other names | Khalil Kaiser |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1955 – 1966 |
| Awards | Nigar Awards in 1959 and 1962 |
Khalil Qaiser (1930-1966) was a Pakistani film director, actor, producer, and screenwriter who worked in the 1950s and 1960s. [1] Known for his politically charged and socially conscious films, his promising career was cut short when he was murdered at his home in 1966 by unknown assailants. [2] Between 1961 and 1966, he directed seven films including Clerk (1960), Doshiza (1962), Shaheed (1962) and Farangi (1964). He also wrote story of Fashion (1965). [3]
Khalil Qaiser began his career in the mid-1955 as an assistant to director Anwar Kamal Pasha. [4] In 1955, Qaiser had a supporting role in Qatil a Urdu film, which was directed by his mentor, Anwar Kamal Pasha. By the late 1950s, he had emerged as an independent director, making a name for himself with films that were both critically acclaimed and commercially successful. [5] [6]
A defining feature of Qaiser's work was his frequent collaboration with writer and dialogue specialist Riaz Shahid. [7] Their partnership resulted in several "leftist" and "revolutionary" films that tackled political and social issues. [8] Many of Qaiser's movies were a direct critique of British rule in India. [9]
In 1966, Khalil Qaiser was murdered in his home at Lahore by unidentified assailants, cutting his career short. [10] [11]
| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
| # | Title | Year | Director | Producer | Screenwriter | Actor | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Qatil | 1955 |  | ||||
| 2 | Kismet | 1956 | | [12] | |||
| 3 | Nagin | 1959 | | [13] | |||
| 4 | Yaar Beli | 1959 | | ||||
| 5 | Clerk | 1960 | | | [3] [11] | ||
| 6 | Ajab Khan | 1961 | | [14] | |||
| 7 | Shaheed | 1962 | | | [3] [11] | ||
| 8 | Dosheeza | 1962 | | [3] [11] | |||
| 9 | Farangi | 1964 | | | [15] | ||
| 10 | Haveli | 1964 | | ||||
| 11 | Fashion | 1965 | | ||||
| 12 | Maa Baap | 1967 | |
| Year | Award | Category | Result | Title | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | Nigar Awards | Best Director | Won | Nagin | [16] |
| 1962 | Won | Shaheed |
After his death, his collaborator Riaz Shahid continued to carry forward their legacy of anti-imperialist filmmaking, directing the blockbuster film Zarqa (1969). [17] Although details about Qaiser's personal life are scarce, his professional impact on Pakistani cinema is well-documented, particularly for his contributions to socially and politically conscious filmmaking. [18]