LAHORE: Renowned film director and lifetime chairman of the Pakistan Film Directors Association Aslam Dar passed away in Lahore on Wednesday. He was 78.

Late Dar’s son Usman Dar told Dawn his father suddenly had high blood pressure on Wednesday and was rushed to Behria Town Hospital where doctors put him on ventilator, but he could not survive.

Aslam Dar was a great opponent of Indian films screening in the country and he would hold meetings and file cases against the trend. He was of the view that Pakistan film industry should be revived and produce films in good number.

As director of both Urdu and Punjabi films, he would always come up with new subjects. He was a historian of Pakistani film industry in his own right. He would almost daily visit association’s office at Evernew Studio where he spent time with other directors.

Aslam Dar was born in 1936 at Ferozwala. His father, S M Dar, was also a film director and a film journalist. He started his career as a film cameraman in 1950s. However, his keen observation and dedication to his work made him a frontline director. He assisted known cameramen of the time like Jafar Shah and Raza Mir. He worked as cameraman in more than 30 films, including Dulla Bhatti, Raqasa and Choohmantar.

As a cameraman, Dar got an opportunity to closely observe directors such as SM Yousaf, Munshi Dil, Aslam Irani and Anwar Kamal Pasha. His first film as a director was Dara. Based on famous fictional character Tarzan, the film did a good business at the box office. His next film was Akhri Chatan that too was successful.

In 1972, Dar came up with his debut Punjabi movie Basheera. For the lead role he chose Sultan Rahi, then a B class actor. Basheera proved an instant success at the box office and so was Sultan Rahi in the lead role. Dar won Nigar Award for the movie as best director.

Dil Lagi, starring Nadeem and Shabnam, was also a mega hit by Aslam Dar. Shabnam and Lehri won Nigar Award for best actress and best comedian for this film. Dar’s other hits include Waada, Sayyan Anari, Baray Mian Deewanay, Pehli Nazar and Anokha Daj.

Film Writer Pervaiz Kalim remembering Aslam Dar said he was the only director in the film industry who always tried new subjects for his films. Kaleem said Dar was quite upset with Indian film screenings in the country. He said Dar shared with him his plan to stage a demonstration alone in front of the Lahore Press Club to protest the screening of Indian films.

A very senior cinematographer and contemporary of Aslam Dar, Ali Jan said Dar Sahib had the honour of being the first secretary of first Cameramen Association of Pakistan back in 64. “He was a great director but also a wonderful human being,” Jan added.

His funeral will be held at Behria Grand Mosque after Zohar prayers on Thursday (today).

Published in Dawn, December 25th, 2014