Imran Series

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The Imran Series is a best-selling series of Urdu spy novels written from 1956 by Ibn-e-Safi. Each book in the series used to be a complete novel, however, some stories spanned over two or more books.

Currently, many authors are writing their own stories in the series, most notably Mazhar Kaleem.

Contents

[edit] Overview

Following from the earlier Jasoosi Dunya, this series features Ali Imran, a playful, deceiving personality. A bright young Oxford graduate with M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in chemistry, his comical and apparently incompetent persona hides his identity as head of a secret service.

Imran Series explains the workings of a country's Secret Service that operates from the capital of the country (supposed by many to be Pakistan although Ibn-e-Safi took care to never explicitly state this — villains often refer to the country as "one from South-East Asia"). The Secret Service is administered by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Sir Sultan, who offers Imran the position as its head after getting help by him (Raat ka Shahzadah).

[edit] Characters in Imran Series

  • Ali Imran/X-2: The main protagonist of the series. A bright and young Oxford graduate holding both M.Sc. and D.Sc. degrees in chemistry, he is apparently a moron, with his foolish and hilarious gestures and conversations. Ibn-e-Safi later emphasized in many books that his foolishness is sometimes completely without any fabrication, and despite his stunningly handsome features, he appears naturally as a complete idiot. However, due to a twisted childhood, Imran has developed a dual personality and his comical and foolish exterior only serves to hide his more cunning and ruthless (and very secret) personality as the chief of the Secret Service, X-2. As X-2, he is a sign of fear for his subordinates, while as Ali Imran, he is almost always made fun of by them. Other personalities that Imran assumes from time to time are the Prince of Dhump and Rana Tahavvar Ali Sandooqui.
  • Sir Sultan: Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs and a good friend of Imran's father, Mr. Karam Rahman. He is the administrator of the Secret Service, and one of the few characters who can identify Imran as X-2. Imran reports directly to him, though at times he is irritated by Imran's complex behaviour. Nonetheless, he highly appreciates Imran for his talents, at one time even wishing that Imran had been his son (Talash-e-Gumshudhah).
  • Mr. Karam Rahman: Imran's father, and the director general of Intelligence Bureau. A stern personality and a strict dictator, he is somewhat responsible for Imran's paradoxical personality. Initially wanting Imran to become a professor at a local university, he was very upset when Imran was appointed as a special officer in his own department. Later, he cancelled Imran's license by dismissing his roguery strategies that he employed for catching a smuggler (Bhayanak Aadmi). Highly annoyed by Imran and his actions, he then ordered him to leave the house.
  • Tahir/Black Zero: The only member of the Secret Service who knows that Imran is X-2. His main job is to play the role of X-2 to the rest of the Secret Service members in absence of Imran. Secret service members, however, do not recognise him as a fellow member, but as the administrator of the Rana Palace. Tahir has also sometimes appeared as a masked X-2 in order to aid other Secret Service members.
  • Roshee: An Anglo-Burmese girl who was saved by Imran in one of his cases before he became X-2 (Bhayanak Aadmi). She was also one of the reasons that Mr. Rahman orderd Imran to leave the house, stating that he can't allow her to live with them. Intelligent and confident, she has helped Imran in various cases. Imran trusts her very much, and she has also known from the start that he is X-2.
  • Juliana Fitzwater: The only female member of the Secret Service. An attractive lady of Swiss origins, she is given orders directly by X-2 and asked to pass them on to other Secret Service members. She is obsessed with knowing the true identity of X-2, and has several times suspected that he can be no other person than Imran. Imran, however, has always successfully managed to protect his secret identity. She also has a deep crush on Imran, which causes her to mess with her duties sometimes.
  • Safdar Saeed: One of the most prominent members of the Secret Service, and a very trusted subordinate of X-2. He is also very close to Imran and understands his personality more than any other member of the Secret Service (except, perhaps, Tahir). Being an active member, he has accompanied Imran on many missions, and Imran always shares full details of cases with him.
  • Joseph Mugonda: Personal black servant and bodyguard of Imran, Joseph is tall, well-built and an ex-prize fighter. After Imran defeated him during a case (Chalees Aik, Bawan), he preferred to become his servant and since then, he has been extremely loyal to Imran, sometimes referring to Imran as his "father". He is a heavy drinker and highly superstitious, but nonetheless a very useful companion. His knowledge of jungles has proved to be very useful for Imran on various occasions. He also serves as Prince of Dhump's bodyguard whenever Imran assumes the role.
  • Captain Fayyaz: Superintendent of Intelligence Bureau. He reports to Mr. Rahman, and is a friend of Imran. However, he is also jealous of Imran and has many times attempted to unseccessfully arrest him. Despite his jealousy, he has seeked Imran's help on numerous occasions, and it was due to Imran's aid that he rose to the position of superintendent.

Further information: List of characters in Imran Series

[edit] Reception

The series has been acclaimed for its characterisation and high literary quality. It began with Khaufnak Imarat (The Fearful Building), and ended with Aakhri Aadmi (The Last Man), unfinished at the time of Ibn-e-Safi's death.

[edit] List of books

Following is the list of original books in Imran Series, which were written by Ibn-e-Safi.

  1. Khaufnak Imarat (The Fearful Building)
  2. Chatanon Mein Fire (Gunfire in Rocks)
  3. Pur-asraar Cheekhein (Mysterious Screams)
  4. Bhayanak Aadmi (The Frightful Man)
  5. Jahannum ki Raqqasah (Dancer from Hell)
  6. Neelay Parinday (The Blue Birds)
  7. Saanpon ke Shikari (Snake Hunters)
  8. Raat ka Shahzadah (The Night Prince)
  9. Dhuaein ki Tehreer (Smoke's Composition)
  10. Larrkiyon ka Jazeerah (Women Island)
  11. Patthar ka Khuun (Stone's Blood)
  12. Lashon ka Bazaar (Corpses All Over)
  13. Qabr aur Khanjar (The Grave and The Dagger)
  14. Aahni Darwazah (The Iron Door)
  15. Kalay Charagh (Black Lamps)
  16. Khuun ke Piyasay (Blood-thirsty)
  17. Al Fansay (Al Fansay)
  18. Darindon ki Basti (Town of the Beasts)
  19. Gum-shudah Shahzadi (The Lost Princess)
  20. Hamaqat ka Jaal (Trap of Foolishness)
  21. Shafaq ke Pujaari (Worshippers of Twilight)
  22. Qaasid Ki Talash (Courier Search)
  23. Ra'i Ka Parbat (Mountain of Mole-hill)
  24. Pagal Kuttay (Mad Dogs)
  25. Piyasa Samandar (Thirsty Ocean)
  26. Kaali Tasveer (Black Photograph)
  27. Sawaliyah Nishan (Question Mark)
  28. Khatarnak Lashein (Dangerous Corpses)
  29. Gaind Ki Tabah-kaari (Destruction by the Ball)
  30. Chaar Lakeerein (Four Stripes)
  31. Chalees Aik Bawan (Forty and One, Fifty-two)
  32. Aatishdaan Ka But (Statue at the Fireplace)
  33. Jarron Ki Talash (Search for the Roots)
  34. Imran Ka Ighwa (Imran's Abduction)
  35. Jazeeron Ki Ruuh (Spirit of the Islands)
  36. Cheekhti Ruuhein (Screaming Spirits)
  37. Khatarnak Juari (Dangerous Gambler)
  38. Zulmat Ka Devata (Lord of the Darkness)
  39. Heeron Ka Faraib (Fraud of the Pearls)
  40. Dil-chasp Hadisah (Pleasant Accident)
  41. Bay-aawaz Sayyarah (Soundless Satellite)
  42. Dairh Matwaalay (One and a half Drunks)
  43. Billi Cheekhti Hai (The Cat Cries)
  44. Lo-Bo Li-La (Lo-Bo Li-La)
  45. Seh-ranga Shula (Tri-coloured Flame)
  46. Aatishi Badal (Fiery Cloud)
  47. Geet Aur Khuun (Song and Blood)
  48. Doosri Aankh (The Other Eye)
  49. Aankh Shula Bani (Eye becomes Flame)
  50. Sugar Bank (Sugar Bank)
  51. Taabuut Mein Cheekh (Scream in the Coffin)
  52. Fazai Hangamah (Aerial Assault)
  53. Tasveer ki Urran (Flight of the Painting)
  54. Giyarah November (11th November)
  55. Manaron Waliyan (Fashionable Women)
  56. Sabz Lahu (Green Blood)
  57. Behri Yateem Khana (Naval Orphanage)
  58. Pagalon ki Anjuman (Association of Lunatics)
  59. Halaku & Co. (Halaku & Co.)
  60. Paharron ke Peechay (Behind the Mountains)
  61. Buzdil Suurma (Coward Hero)
  62. Dast-e-Qaza (Hand of Death)
  63. Ashtray House (Ashtray House)
  64. Uqabon ke Hamlay (Attacks of the Eagles)
  65. Phir Wohi Aawaz (That Voice Again)
  66. Khuun-raiz Tasadum (Bloody Conflict)
  67. Tasveer ki Maut (Death of the Painting)
  68. King Chaang (King Chaang)
  69. Dhuaein ka Hisaar (Smoke Barrier)
  70. Samandar ka Shigaf (Crack in the Ocean)
  71. Zalzalay ka Safar (Earthquake's Journey)
  72. Black and White (Black and White)
  73. Na-deedah Hamdard (Unseen Sympathizer)
  74. Adhora Aadmi (The Partial Man)
  75. Operation Double Cross (Operation Double Cross)
  76. Khair Andaish (Well-wisher)
  77. Point Number Barah (Point No. 12)
  78. Ad-Lava (Ad-Lava)
  79. Bamboo Castle (Bamboo Castle)
  80. Maasum Darindah (Innocent Beast)
  81. Begum X-2 (Mrs. X-2)
  82. Shahbaz ka Basaira (Shahbaz's Abode)
  83. Raishon ki Yalghaar (Attack of Threads)
  84. Khatarnak Dhalaan (Dangerous Slope)
  85. Jungle mein Mungle (Feast in the Forest)
  86. Teen Sanaki (Three Lunatics)
  87. Aadha Teetar (Half Partridge)
  88. Aadha Bater (Half Quail)
  89. Allama Dehshatnaak (Sir Dreadful)
  90. Farishtay ka Dushman (Angel's Foe)
  91. Be-chara Shahzor (Poor Shahzor)
  92. Kali Kehkashan (Dark Galaxy)
  93. Seh-rangi Maut (Tri-colored Death)
  94. Mutaharrik Dhariyan (Animated Stripes)
  95. Jonk aur Naagan (Leech and Serpent)
  96. Laash Gati Rahi (The Corpse kept Singing)
  97. Khushbu ka Hamlah (Attack of the Perfume)
  98. Baba Sag Parast
  99. Mehektay Muhafiz (Fragrant Guards)
  100. Halakat Khez (Deadly)
  101. Zebra-Man (Zebra-Man)
  102. Jungle ki Shehriyat (Citizenship of the Jungle)
  103. Mona Lisa ki Nawasi (Mona Lisa's Granddaughter)
  104. Khuuni Fankar (Bloody Artist)
  105. Maut ki Aahat (Sound of Death)
  106. Doosra Rukh (The Other Side)
  107. Chatanon ka Raaz (Secret of the Rocks)
  108. Thanda Suraj (The Cold Sun)
  109. Talash-e-Gumshudah (Search for the Lost)
  110. Aag ka Daira (Circle of Fire)
  111. Larazti Lakeerein (Trembling Stripes)
  112. Pathar ka Aadmi (Stone Man)
  113. Doosra Pathar (Second Stone)
  114. Khatarnak Ungliyan (Dangerous Fingers)
  115. Raat ka Bhikari (The Night Beggar)
  116. Aakhri Aadmi (The Last Man)
  117. Doctor Dua-go (Doctor Well-wisher)
  118. Jonk Ki Wapsi (The Leech Returns)
  119. Zehrili Tasveer (Poisonous Painting)
  120. Bebakon Ki Talash (Search of The Braves)

It should be noted that both Doctor Dua-go and Jonk Ki Wapsi were published as a series of episodes in The Daily Hurriyat, and later published in the form of books by Asrar Publications (the regular publishers of Imran Series). Zehrili Tasveer and Bebakon Ki Talash were then written in the continuity of Jonk ki Wapsi and were published by Asrar Publications. For this reason, these books are numbered at the end, otherwise they should not be considered "out of continuity".

Ali Imran and Safdar were also featured in a Jasoosi Dunya novel, Zameen Ke Badal (Clouds of Earth), in which a team of world's secret agents is sent to discover the mysterious Zeroland. This was the only novel in which Safi brought Colonel Faridi and Ali Imran together, but due to a highly heated response from fans, he never repeated the experiment. Fans of Faridi complained that he didn't receive from Imran the amount of respect he deserved, while those who liked Imran argued that Zeroland is primarily his case, and Faridi had no right to say that he would one day "tell the world where Zeroland is".

[edit] Plagiarism

During 1960-1963, while Ibn-e-Safi was suffering from schizophrenia, many amateur writers started posing themselves as Ibn-e-Safi and produced third class copies of his work, distorting the character of not only Ali Imran, but also of Colonel Faridi and Captain Hameed (of the Jasoosi Dunya). These acts of vandalism were reported by Ibn-e-Safi himself in the paish-rus (preface) of Dairh Matwaalay (which was the novel he returned with after his recovery). Some writers and publishers still continued to write on Safi's characters, much to the annoyance of many fans. Safi used to mention fans' complaints sometimes in the prefaces, and mocked the fake publishers and writers in his own witty style.

[edit] Additions by other writers

Some writers who acquired fame by writing their own versions of Imran Series (specially after the death of Ibn-e-Safi) include Mazhar Kaleem, Safdar Shaheen, Ibn-e-Rahat, Mushtaq Ahmed Qureshi, and Zaheer Ahmed (among others). Mazhar Kaleem is still writing novels and enjoys enough fan-following, and has introduced many new characters in the series. Fans of Ibn-e-Safi, however, dismiss Kaleem's books, arguing that Kaleem distorted the original 'feel' of the series, and that he deformed the key characteristics of many characters, including Ali Imran. Nevertheless, his novels have a significant readership.

[edit] Difference between Ibn-e-Safi's and Mazhar Kaleem's books

Some of the differences between Ibn-e-Safi's and Mazhar Kaleem's books are as follows:

  • Ibn-e-Safi's writing style can mostly be categorised under mystery fiction (with the excpetions of a few adventures). Mazhar Kaleem, however, does not rely on mystery but on action-oriented situational twists, with the overall plot of the story revealed in the first few chapters.
  • Ibn-e-Safi's Ali Imran, although highly intelligent, is not a super-human; Kaleem portrays him as a "man of all qualities" and "undestructable".
  • Although Ibn-e-Safi never explicitly stated the name of Imran's country, he used to mention the real names of other countries and cities. Kaleem uses aliases for all country and city names (except Israel).
  • Ibn-e-Safi brought Ali Imran and Col. Faridi together just once in his novels (and that too in the Jasoosi Dunya). Kaleem has done that many times, openly favoring Imran against Faridi. (Kaleem has not written any story with Faridi as the main protagonist.)
  • Many main characters created by Ibn-e-Safi are not present in Kaleem's books. Examples include Roshee, Zafar-ul-Mulk, Jameson, Sing Hee, T3B and others. (It is interesting to note that Ibn-e-Safi threatened to take legal action against those writers and publishers who would use the characters of Zafar-ul-Mulk and Jameson in their own publications.) Some of the main characters introduced by Kaleem are Captain Shakeel, Juana, Tiger,Shagal,Madaam Rikha, Sualeha,Fisal Jaan,Col.Hillgard and Inspecter Arif.

[edit] Present status

Currently, Asrar Publications are republishing the original books in a new style, combining the multi-part stories in single volumes. Ashraf Book Depot of Multan publishes the books written by Mazhar Kaleem.

[edit] See also

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