LAHORE: Veteran Pakistani film actress Neelo died in hospital on Saturday. She was 81.

Neelo was admitted to a private hospital three weeks ago due to some ailments.

She was born as Cynthia Alexander Fernandes in Bhera city of Sargodha district on June 3, 1940.

Neelo is the only Pakistani actress to have worked in a popular Hollywood film, ‘Bhowani Junction’ -- starring Ava Gardner and Stewart Granger, which also marked her film debut.

She then started working in local films a junior artiste and gradually rose from playing second-lead roles to a leading lady. However, it was her character in the film‘Zarqa’that proved to be her breakthrough. She essayed the title role of a Palestinian freedom fighter that made ‘Zarqa’ the first diamond jubilee film of Pakistan and is regarded as one of the best films in the country.

Neelo married producer Riaz Shahid after converting to Islam and changed her name to Abida Riaz. She was a mother to three children – Zarqa, film star Shaan and Aijaz, who also worked in a few movies.

Neelo worked in 134 Urdu and Punjabi films and won several Nigar Awards for her acting as well as two for the Best Producer and Best Film.

On her death, her actor son Shaan Shahid tweeted: “It is with the saddest of heart I share the departure of my mother as she has gone to her creator.”

Published in Dawn, January 31st, 2021