Sultan Rahi

Sultan Rahi
Native name سلطان محمد
Born Sultan Muhammad
1938
Uttar Pradesh, British India
Died 9 January 1996 (aged 57)
Gujranwala, Pakistan
Occupation Actor
Years active 1959–1996

Sultan Muhammad (Urdu: سلطان محمد; born 1938), popularly known as Sultan Rahi, in a Muslim family of Saharanpur, was a notable Pakistani film actor who was prominent in Pakistan in Punjabi films during the 1970s and 1980s. He was mostly popular among people in Punjab, Pakistan and among Sikh and Punjabi community of India. He appeared in more than 700 Punjabi and Urdu-language movies, and is named in the Guinness Book of Records as the most prolific actor.[1]
Some of his major films include Maula Jatt, Sher Khan, Chan Veryam, Kaley Chore, and The Godfather. On January 9, 1996 at the time of death, he was 58 years old.

Contents

Professional career

Sultan Rahi was an extra in the 1959 film Baghi. Although he struggled for a few years in the early 1960s, playing only a few supporting roles. The turning point came in 1972, when three of his films celebrated diamond jubilees. In 1975 he became an action icon for the lovers of Punjabi films. The year 1979, changed his whole life as his film Maula Jatt became the most successful Pakistani film to date. It broke all records and did wonders for the Pakistani film industry. Rahi worked most often with directors Masood Rana and Younas Malik. He appeared in over 750 Punjabi and Urdu-language films.

Assassination

Rahi dominated the film industry for decades until his murder on 9 January 1996; he was shot dead on the main highway in Pakistan known as GT Road. Asif Ali Zardari, current President of Pakistan is considered to be responsible for the murder of the legendary actor but no official investigations were carried out. Zardari was in the government therefore he stopped all the investigations. He has some property case with Sultan Rahi in which Rahi refused to accept his demands then Zardari ordered for his murder.[2][3]

Box office records

Rahi is so far the only actor in Pakistan who appeared in diamond jubilee films as both hero and villain. He is the only leading actor whose films (Maula Jatt and Sher Khan) celebrated diamond jubilees in Karachi in their second runs. Many actors tried to adopt his style including shaan and Momar rana ,the two frontline heroes of Pakistan film industry in 1990`s.

Selected filmography

Year Film Role Notes
1971 Dil aur Dunia
1972 Khan Chacha
Sultan
Bashira
1973 Banarsi Thag
Zarq Khan
mughals kashmiri
1974 Dillagi
Ultimatum
Rastay ka Pather
Sidha Rasta
1975 Dada
Wehshi Jatt
Shareef Badmash
1976 Toofan
Jagga Gujjar
1977 Lahori Badsha
Qanoon
Jeera sain
1978 Ranga Daku
1979 Jatt Soorma
Maula Jatt
Goga Sher
Wehshi Gujjar
1980 Behram Daku
Boycot
Hitler (also: Hitlar)
1981 Anokha Daaj
Sher Maidan Da
Miley Ga Zulm Da Badla
Jeedar
Jatt in London
Veryaam
Athra Puttar
Sher Khan
Sala Sahib
Chan Veryam
1982 Do Bigha Zameen
Muftber
Rustam
1983 Raka
Lawaris
Dara Baloch
Rustam Khan
Murad Khan
Shan
Baghi Sher
1984 Kalia
Sholay
Qatil Hasina
Jabar Khan
1985 Qismat
Ajab Khan
Jagga
1986 Qaidi
Queemat
1987 Sangal
Allah Rakha
Dulari
Badal
Nache Nagan
1988 Mola Bakhsh
Mafroor
Hasina 420
Roti
1989 Hakumat
Super Girl
Kalka
Balawal
Sultana
Dakait
Rangiley Jasoos
Mujram
Khuda Bux
1990 Siren
Sher Dil
1991 Sher Dil
Kaley Chore
Chiraghbali
Badmash Thug
Qatil Qaidi
1992 Majhoo
1994 Bala Pere Da
1996 Sakhi Badsha

References

External links