# Rani Begum

Rani (Punjabi, Urdu: رانی; 8 December 1946 – 27 May 1993) was a Pakistani film and television actress. She gained success in the late 1960s when she made a hit pair with famous actor and producer Waheed Murad. She was also known as The Dancing Queen, Queen of Lollywood and Lux Girl for her portrayal of romantic and dancing roles in films. She remained one of the most successful actresses of the subcontinent and was also popular for her dance performances in films.

## Early life

Rani was born on 8 December 1946 as Nasira in Mozang, Lahore to Malik Muhammed Shafi and Iqbal Begum in an Arain family. Her father was a driver for Mukhtar Begum, a singer and the wife of Agha Hashar Kashmiri, a well-known Urdu dramatist. Mukhtar Begum took over and raised Rani herself. After being raised by Mukhtar Begum, Rani moved in with her mother with whom she reconciled.

## Acting career

Rani acted in both Urdu and Punjabi movies in Pakistani cinema. In 1962 Anwar Kamal Pasha, a veteran film director of the 1950s and 1960s, gave Rani her first role in the film Mehboob (1962 film). For several years after Mehoob, Rani appeared in supporting roles in films like Mouj Maila, Ek Tera Sahara and Safaid Khoon. Until 1965 she starred in other films, but when they flopped one after another she was dubbed a jinxed actress.
However, after the success of Hazar Dastan and Devar Bhabi, Rani became a leading actress. Some of her more notable films are Chann Makhna, Sajjan Pyara, Jind Jan, Duniya Matlab Di, Anjuman, Tehzeeb, Umrao Jaan Ada, Naag Muni, Seeta Maryam Margaret, Aik Gunnah Aur Sahi and Surraya Bhopali. She also acted in two TV serials Khuwahish and Fareb in the early 1990s.

## Personal life

After her initial success in the late 1960s, she married renowned director Hassan Tariq, with whom she had a daughter, Rabia. Due to conflicts, Hassan Tariq divorced Rani in the late 1970s. She then married producer Mian Javed Qamar, who divorced her when it was discovered that Rani had cancer. During her treatment in London, she met famous cricketer Sarfaraz Nawaz. Soon they developed a good relationship with each other and got married. Rani helped Sarfraz in his election campaign in the late 1980s. But their relationship also did not last long and they parted. After getting divorced for the third time, Rani was struck by the grief of loneliness. Cancer also struck back and this time with much more intensity as Rani did not have much desire to live but to see her daughter get married.

## Illness and death

Rani died of Cancer on 27 May 1993 at the age of 46 in Karachi, just a few days after her daughter Rabia's marriage. Shortly after Rani's death, her mother who was seriously ill and never knew of her daughter's death, also died. Rani's only sister also died three months later. Rani and her mother were buried side by side in Lahore in Muslim Town Cemetery.

## Filmography
### Television series

| Year | Title | Role | Network |
| 1986 | Show Time | Herself | PTV |
| 1993 | Khuwahish | Nafeesa Begum | PTV |
| 1993 | Fareb | Shabahat | PTV |

### Film

| Year | Title |
| 1962 | Mehboob |
| 1963 | Ik Tera Sahara |
| 1963 | Mauj Mela |
| 1964 | Aurat Ka Pyar |
| 1964 | Chhoti Ammi |
| 1964 | Chhoti Behan |
| 1964 | Ik Dil Do Deewane |
| 1964 | Safaid Khoon |
| 1964 | Shatranj |
| 1965 | Aakhri Station |
| 1965 | Aurat |
| 1965 | Hazar Dastaan |
| 1965 | Nache Nagan Baje Been |
| 1965 | Sanam |
| 1965 | Saaz-o-Awaz |
| 1965 | Shabnam |
| 1965 | Yeh Jahan Wale |
| 1966 | Bhai Jaan |
| 1966 | Ghar ka Ujala |
| 1966 | Goonga |
| 1966 | Insaan |
| 1966 | Joker |
| 1966 | Woh Kaun Thi |
| 1967 | Bereham |
| 1967 | Devar Bhabhi |
| 1967 | Hokumat |
| 1967 | Kafir |
| 1967 | Nadira |
| 1967 | Shab-ba-Khair |
| 1967 | Sitamgar |
| 1967 | Yatim |
| 1968 | Adalat |
| 1968 | Behan Bhai |
| 1968 | Chan Choudvin Da |
| 1968 | Chan Makhnan |
| 1968 | Cheen Le Azadi |
| 1968 | Commander |
| 1968 | Dara |
| 1968 | Dil Mera Dharkan Teri |
| 1968 | Eik Hi Rasta |
| 1968 | Mera Ghar Meri Jannat |
| 1968 | Sajjan Pyara |
| 1968 | Zalim |
| 1969 | Dilbar Jani |
| 1969 | Dil-e-Baitab |
| 1969 | Diya Aur Toofan |
| 1969 | Ghabru Put Punjab De |
| 1969 | Jindjan |
| 1969 | Khoon Nahaq |
| 1969 | Kochwaan |
| 1969 | Maa Beta |
| 1969 | Mukhra Chan Warga |
| 1969 | Panchi te Pardesi |
| 1970 | Aakhri Chattan |
| 1970 | Anjuman |
| 1970 | Chan Sajna |
| 1970 | Dil Diyan Laggian |
| 1970 | Do Nain Sawali |
| 1970 | Duniya Matlab Di |
| 1970 | Mehram Dil Da |
| 1970 | Mr. 420 |
| 1970 | Rab di Shan |
| 1970 | Sajjan Beli |
| 1970 | Shama Aur Parwana |
| 1970 | Taxi Driver |
| 1971 | Babul |
| 1971 | Des Mera Jidaran Da |
| 1971 | Do Baghi |
| 1971 | Ishq Bina ki Jeena |
| 1971 | Jeyo Jatta |
| 1971 | Mr. 303 |
| 1971 | Rab Rakha |
| 1971 | Sakhi Lutera |
| 1971 | Siran Nal Sardarian |
| 1971 | Sucha Sauda |
| 1971 | Tehzeeb |
| 1971 | Uncha Naa Pyar Da |
| 1971 | Wehshi |
| 1972 | Azaadi |
| 1972 | Badley Gi Duniya Saathi |
| 1972 | Baharo Phool Barsao |
| 1972 | Bhai Bhai |
| 1972 | Dhol Jawanian Mane |
| 1972 | Dil Naal Sajjan De |
| 1972 | Ghairat Te Qanoon |
| 1972 | Khalish |
| 1972 | Meri Ghairat Teri Izzat |
| 1972 | Naag Muni |
| 1972 | Sodagar |
| 1972 | Umrao Jaan Ada |
| 1973 | Ek thi Larki |
| 1973 | Jeib Kutra |
| 1973 | Pyasa |
| 1974 | Deedar |
| 1974 | Laila Majnoo |
| 1974 | Zulm Kade Nein Phalda |
| 1975 | Dilruba |
| 1975 | Aik Gunnah Aur Sahi |
| 1975 | Pulekha |
| 1976 | Aulad |
| 1976 | Naag aur Nagin |
| 1976 | Surraya Bhopali |
| 1976 | Zaroorat |
| 1977 | Begum Jan |
| 1977 | Kaloo |
| 1978 | Nazrana |
| 1978 | Parakh |
| 1978 | Saheli |
| 1978 | Seeta Maryam Margaret |
| 1979 | Ab Ghar Jane Do |
| 1979 | Aurat Raj |
| 1979 | Behan Bhai |
| 1979 | Ibadat |
| 1979 | Josh |
| 1979 | Khushboo |
| 1979 | Mr. Ranjha |
| 1979 | Naqsh-e-Qadam |
| 1979 | Nawabzadi |
| 1979 | Nai Tehzeeb |
| 1979 | Tarana |
| 1980 | Badnaam |
| 1980 | Haye Yeh Shohar |
| 1980 | Aap Ki Khatir |
| 1980 | Lahoo De Rishte |
| 1980 | Sheikh Chilli |
| 1981 | Gun Man |
| 1981 | Watan |
| 1982 | Kinara |
| 1982 | Aas Paas |
| 1983 | Bigri Naslen |
| 1983 | Deewana Mastana |
| 1983 | Wadda Khan |
| 1983 | Kala Sumandar |
| 1983 | Sona Chandi |
| 1984 | Chor Chokidar |
| 1984 | Dada Ustad |
| 1984 | Devar Bhabhi |
| 1984 | Iman Te Farangi |
| 1984 | Ishq Pecha |
| 1984 | Jagga Te Reshma |
| 1984 | Judai |
| 1984 | Laraka |
| 1984 | Raja Rani |
| 1984 | Sajawal Daku |
| 1984 | Ucha Shamla Jatt Da |
| 1984 | Aag Ka Sumandar |
| 1984 | Aaj Ka Inssan |
| 1985 | Ann Parh |
| 1985 | Babur Khan |
| 1985 | Chandni |
| 1985 | Chann Baloch |
| 1985 | Do Hathkarian |
| 1985 | Ek Dulhan |
| 1985 | Ghulami |
| 1985 | Khoon Aur Pani |
| 1985 | Khuddar |
| 1985 | Muqaddar |
| 1985 | Sahib Bahadur |
| 1985 | Thugg Badshah |
| 1986 | Chall So Chall |
| 1986 | Qulli |
| 1986 | Shehnai |
| 1987 | Kala Toofan |
| 1987 | Zalzala |
| 1987 | Zidbazi |
| 1988 | Jatt Majhay Da |
| 1989 | Aap Ki Khatir |
| 1991 | Yohnavey |
| 1991 | Truck Driver |

## Awards and recognition

| Year | Award | Category | Result | Title |
| 1968 | Nigar Award | Special Award | Won | Mera Ghar Meri Jannat |
| 1971 | Nigar Award | Best Actress | Won | Babul |
| 1983 | Nigar Award | Best Actress | Won | Sona Chandi |