Agha Hasan Askari (28 January 1945 – 30 October 2023) was a Pakistani film director, producer and screenwriter of the Lollywood industry.
Before joining Tariq Masood Qureshi, he started his career as an assistant director on the Punjabi titles Chan Makhana and Sajan Pyaara by Kaifi. His first film as a director was Khun Pasina starring Firdous, Sultan Rahi, Rukhsana and Agha Talish.[1][2]
Early life and education
Born in 1945 at Lahore,[3] with a M.A. degree in English Literature, Askari was fond of writing since his college days, during those times being the editor of Faran, the magazine of leftist National Students Federation (NSF), and throughout his life would remain a committed Marxist, which would influence the social message in his movies. This also reflected and was a result of his own struggles as a member of the lower middle class in Pakistan.[3]
Career
During his career, Askari directed around 60 Punjabi and Urdu films, besides producing 10 of them.[4][1] Among his memorable works in more than 60 projects are Wehshi Jat (1975 film), Khun Pasina, Khazana, Jannat Ki Taan, Aag, Be Qarar, Dooriyan and Tere Pyar Mein (2000 film) is included.[2] Notably, Askari is credited with first introducing the iconic Sultan Rahi as "Maula Jat", introducing his iconic Gandasa in the groundbreaking 1975 film Wehshi Jatt, years before the iconic Maula Jatt (1979 film). He directed over 50 films, devoted 55 years of his life to Pakistani film industry.[1]
Death
Askari died on 30 October 2023,[3] at the age of 78. He had been suffering from lung cancer for a long time and was undergoing treatment at Sheikh Zayed Hospital in Lahore. He is survived by a widow, a daughter and a son.[1] His funeral prayer was performed after noon prayer at his residence on Alamgir Street in Lahore, Pakistan.[2]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Language |
|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Khoon Paseena (his debut as a film director and this film reflected his political thoughts as well)[3][1][4] | Punjabi |
| 1972 | Sir Dhar Di Bazi | Punjabi |
| 1972 | Heera | Punjabi |
| 1973 | Ghairat Da Nishan | Punjabi |
| 1975 | Wehshi Jatt[1][3][5][4] | Punjabi |
| 1976 | Toofan[3][5] | Punjabi |
| 1977 | Aakhri Medan | Punjabi |
| 1977 | Qanoon[3] | Punjabi |
| 1977 | Salakhein[3][4] | Urdu |
| 1979 | Jeenay Ki Saza[3] | Urdu |
| 1979 | Jatt Da Kharak | Punjabi |
| 1979 | Dada Pota | Punjabi |
| 1979 | Aag | Urdu |
| 1981 | Muftbar | Punjabi |
| 1982 | Kinara[3] | Urdu |
| 1983 | Ek Doojay Kay Liye[3] | Urdu |
| 1984 | Doorian[3][5] | Urdu |
| 1985 | 2 Hathkarian | Punjabi |
| 1985 | Ham Aur Tum[3] | Urdu/Punjabi |
| 1986 | Beqarar | Urdu |
| 1986 | Akbar Khan | Punjabi |
| 1986 | Talash[3] | Urdu |
| 1986 | Mela[1][3] | Punjabi |
| 1987 | Ik Si Daku | Punjabi |
| 1987 | Nijat | Urdu |
| 1987 | Sonay Ki Talash[3] | Urdu |
| 1988 | Mafroor | Punjabi |
| 1988 | Qatil | Punjabi |
| 1988 | Sherbaz Khan | Punjabi |
| 1990 | Puttar Jaggay Da | Punjabi |
| 1990 | Sher Dil[1] | Punjabi |
| 1991 | Gandasa[1] | Punjabi |
| 1991 | Riaz Gujjar | Punjabi |
| 1992 | Abdullah The Great | Punjabi/Urdu |
| 1992 | Pattan | Punjabi |
| 1992 | Achha Shookar Vala | Punjabi |
| 1993 | Iradah | Punjabi/Urdu |
| 1993 | BeTaj Badshah | Punjabi/Urdu |
| 1993 | Aan | Punjabi/Urdu |
| 1995 | Khazana | Urdu |
| 1995 | Jeenay Do | Punjabi/Urdu |
| 1996 | Saboot | Pashto |
| 1996 | 2 Jeedar | Punjabi |
| 1997 | Dil Kisi Ka Dost Nahin | Urdu |
| 1999 | Jannat Ki Talash[5] | Urdu |
| 1999 | Jazba | Urdu |
| 1999 | Chaudhrani[1][3] | Punjabi |
| 2000 | Kahan Hay Qanoon | Urdu |
| 2000 | Tere Pyar Mein[1][3][5] | Urdu |
| 2001 | Badmash Puttar | Punjabi |
| 2001 | Ik Jagga Hor | Punjabi |
| 2002 | Chalo Ishq Larain | Urdu |
| 2002 | Veryam | Punjabi |
| 2004 | Sassi Punno | Punjabi |
| 2005 | Bau Badmash | Punjabi |
| 2008 | Basanti | Punjabi |
| 2013 | Dil Praey Des Mein | Urdu |
| 2014 | Dastan | Pashto |
Awards
- Won 5 Nigar Awards for 'Best Director' for Wehshi Jat (1975), Toofan (1976 film), Doorian (1984 film), Jannat Ki Talash (1999 film) and Tere Pyar Mein (2000 film).[5]
- National Film Awards (Pakistan) (two-times)[2][3]
- Pride of Performance Award by the President of Pakistan in 2024.[1][4][6]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Veteran filmmaker Hassan Askari passes away in Lahore". The Express Tribune newspaper. 31 October 2023. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Veteran filmmaker Agha Hasan Askari passes away". ARY NEWS (Pakistani TV News channel). 31 October 2023. Archived from the original on 1 November 2023. Retrieved 24 March 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Suhayb, Muhammad (19 November 2023). "IN MEMORIAM: THE LAST OF THE LEGENDS (Agha Hasan Askari)". Dawn newspaper. Archived from the original on 17 January 2025. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
- ^ a b c d e "Director Hassan Askari passes away in Lahore". Images magazine (Dawn Group of Newspapers). 31 October 2023. Archived from the original on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 24 March 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f "Pakistan's 'Oscars': The Nigar Awards". The Hotspot Film Reviews website. 24 November 2017. Archived from the original on 13 June 2020. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
- ^ "List of award winners for 2024" (PDF). Government of Pakistan, Cabinet Division website. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 May 2024. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
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