Neelo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Neelo
|
|
|---|---|
| Born |
Cynthia Alexander Fernandes
30 June 1940 Bhera, Punjab, British India
|
| Died | 30 January 2021 (aged 80) |
| Other names | The Queen of Romance The Princess of Romance Abida Riaz |
| Occupation | Film actress |
| Years active | 1955 – 2005 |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | Shaan Shahid (son) |
| Awards | Sitara-i-Imtiaz (2022) |
Neelo Begum (born Cynthia Alexander Fernandes; née Abida Riaz; 30 June 1940 – 30 January 2021) was a Pakistani veteran film actress. She made her film debut in 1956 with Hollywood film Bhowani Junction. She was known as The Queen of Romance and The Princess of Romance for her portrayal of romantic roles. She worked in more than one hundred and thirty-four Pakistani films including Urdu and Punjabi language films.
She was the recipient of numerous awards, including Nigar Awards, she earned recognition after appearing in a song "Aaye Mausam Rangilay Suhanay" from the film Saat Lakh and after playing lead role in Zarqa.
Contents
Early life
Born into a Catholic family, she adopted a Muslim name, Abida Riaz after marrying a Pakistani filmmaker, Riaz Shahid in 1965. She is the mother of film actor Shaan Shahid.
Neelo was born on 30 June 1940 in Bhera, British India. She did her primary schooling from Kinnaird High School, Lahore.
Personal life
Neelo was born into a Catholic family. She adopted the name Abida Riaz after accepting Islam at the time of her marriage to film screenwriter and film director Riaz Shahid. Riaz Shahid suddenly died in 1972.
Illness and death
She died from blood cancer on 30 January 2021 in Lahore.
Filmography
- 1956 Bhowani Junction
- 1956: Sabira
- 1957: Anjaam
- 1957: Bholey Khan
- 1957: Pasban
- 1957: Sehti
- 1957: Saat Lakh
- 1957: Yakke Wali
- 1957: Aankh Ka Nashah
- 1958: Akhri Nishan
- 1958: Changez Khan
- 1958: Darbar
- 1958: Jan-e-Bahar
- 1958: Jatti
- 1958: Kachian Kaliyan
- 1958: Mumtaz
- 1958: Nayi Larki
- 1958: Neya Daur
- 1958: Sheikh Chilli
- 1958: Zehr-e-Ishq
- 1959: Koel
- 1959: Lalkaar
- 1959: Lukkan Mitti
- 1959: Neend
- 1959: Shama
- 1959: Shera
- 1959: Sola Aanay
- 1959: Suchhey Moti
- 1959: Saathi
- 1959: Yaar Beli
- 1960: Alladin Ka Beta
- 1960: Ayaz
- 1960: Insaaf
- 1960: Khyber Mail
- 1960: Manzil
- 1960: Neelofar
- 1960: Shehzadi
- 1960: Street 77
- 1961: Bara Bajje
- 1961: Do Raste
- 1961: Subha Kahin Sham Kahin
- 1962: Azra
- 1962: Banjaran
- 1962: Barsaat mein
- 1962: Darwaza
- 1962: Dosheeza
- 1962: Ghunghat
- 1962: Husn-o-Ishq
- 1962: Unche Mahal
- 1963: Barat
- 1963: Daaman
- 1963: Ishq par zor nahin
- 1963: Kala Aadmi
- 1963: Mouj Mela
- 1963: Qatal ke baad
- 1963: Shikwa
- 1963: Aman
- 1964: Beti
- 1964: Daachi
- 1964: Gehra Daagh
- 1964: Jugni
- 1964: Khyber Pass
- 1964: Mera Mahi
- 1964: Nehle peh Dehla
- 1964: Sher di Bachi
- 1965: Fareb
- 1965: Jeedar
- 1965: Raqqasa
- 1966: Abba Jee
- 1966: Ann Parh
- 1966: Badnaam
- 1966: Chughalkhor
- 1966: Laado
- 1966: Mr. Allah Ditta
- 1966: Naghma.e-Sehra
- 1966: Nizam Lohar
- 1966: Payal Ki Jhankar
- 1967: Chattan
- 1967: Dil Da Jani
- 1967: Neeli Baar
- 1967: Ravi Paar
- 1967: Sham Savera
- 1967: Yaar Maar
- 1968: Jag Beeti
- 1968: Lala Rukh
- 1968: Paristan
- 1968: Wohti
- 1969: Aukha Jatt
- 1969: Zarqa
- 1971: Karishma
- 1974: Khatarnak
- 1975: Athra
- 1975: Balwant Kaur
- 1975: Dhan Jigra Maa Da
- 1975: Heera Phumman
- 1975: Izzat
- 1975: Jailor te Qaidi
- 1975: Mera Naa Patey Khan
- 1975: Rajjo
- 1975: Sir Da Badla
- 1975: Sultana Daku
- 1975: Watan Iman
- 1976: Ayyash
- 1976: Gangu Puttar Maa Da
- 1976: Jatt Kurrian Taun Darda
- 1976: Khaufnaak
- 1976: Kil Kil Mera Naa
- 1976: Pindiwal
- 1976: Wardat
- 1977: Ajj Dian Kurrian
- 1977: Akhri Goli
- 1977: Danka
- 1977: Jurm main keeta si
- 1977: Malikzada
- 1977: Mere Badshah
- 1977: Sadqay Teri Mout Tun
- 1977: Tera vi jawab nahin
- 1978: Chamman Khan
- 1978: Gharib da baal
- 1978: Ghunda
- 1978: Haidar Daler
- 1978: Inqalab
- 1978: Mazi, haal aur mustaqbil
- 1978: Nazrana
- 1978: Sharif Shehri
- 1978: Tax
- 1979: General Bakht Khan
- 1979: Mout meri zindagi
- 1979: Order
- 1980: Chhotay Nawab
- 1980: Heera Puttar
- 1982: Khatra 440
- 1989: Barood ki Chhaon
- 1990: Bulandi
- 1990: Jur'at
- 2013: Waar
Tribute and honour
Actress and model Iqra Aziz held a tribute in her memory on International Women's Day and described her a very fine actress, successful individual, an amazing wife, and a wonderful mother. The Government of Pakistan named a street and intersection after her in Lahore on August 16th, 2021.
Awards and recognition
| Year | Award | Category | Result | Title | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | Nigar Award | Best Supporting Actress | Won | Koel | |
| 1963 | Nigar Award | Best Supporting Actress | Won | Aman | |
| 1969 | Nigar Award | Best Actress | Won | Zarqa | |
| 1999 | Nigar Award | Special Millennium Award | Won | Herself | |
| 2022 | Sitara-i-Imtiaz | Award by the President of Pakistan | Won | Herself |
