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Allaudin

Allaudin in Baaghi (1956)

Allaudin, one of the most versatile character-actors of Pakistani Film industry, began his career in undivided India. He belonged to the Kashmiri community of Rawalpindi, and his full name was Allaudin Butt. Handsomely built and blessed with a fine voice, Allaudin had reached Bombay with the sole wish of becoming a top-grade singer. But, luck had marked him out for acting rather than singing. He was noticed by famous Director, A.R. Kardar, and was cast in his film Sanjog, in a minor role. Slightly later, he got a better role in Kardar Production’s another vehicle, Namaste, which was a hit. Then, in Laila Majnoon, he was the tribal head of the gypsies and the narrator of the romantic legend. But, he was actually noticed by the cine-goers when he played a prominent role in Vadya Movietone’s film, Mela which was to propel him into a distinguished career. He played the old character of Nargis’ father in the film, which tested him to the full at such a young age. During an emotional scene, when Allaudin was to embrace Nargis with all the parental love tears, streaming down his cheeks, Nargis asked Allaudin to re-do the scene with the intense affection of father. That scene, when you see it the screen proves that Allaudin was naturally gifted.

After Partition, Allaudin came to Pakistan, and his first film here was Nazeers’ Pherey, where he played the villain. It was silver-jubilee hit. Later, he did Shehri Babu, as a villain too. After that, he portrayed the villain in films like Mehbooba, Mehfil, Anokhi, Wa’da, Patey Khan, Peengan, Baghi, Mirza, Saheban etc. Later, in Anwar Kamal Pasha’s Inteqam, he projected the role of an old, warn out madari. Similary, in M.A Rasheed’s Aas Paas, he was the pauper, Raja, with his princely friend, Aslam Pervez. In Hameeda, his performance as a greedy and crafty opium-eater was much appreciated. Saifuddin Saif’s Kartar Singh was another milestone in his career, where the villain turned into a hero in the climatic scene. How many roles and films can one name? Faizoo in Salma, Barrister Mehmood Ali, the arch villain, in Raaz, the crutches-carrying anti-hero in Neend. All roles put the stamp of class on the credibility of this brilliant artiste.

Known lovingly as Papaji in the industry, Allaudin had the best stint when he teamed up with the committed group of people including Riaz Shahid, Khalil Qaiser, Talish and Habib Jalib. With them he performed at his optimum, when master pieces like Shaheed, Yeh Aman, Zarqa, Susral, Farangi Nizam Lohar, Dulla Bhatti and others were made. Later in life, he was greatly staggered and was never the same man again, when his young son died in accident. Nevertheless, his roles in Bandish, Umrao Jan Ada, Ajnabi and others were liked by the audiences. He got Nigar Awards for four years consecutively, for character roles in Aas Paas (1957), Aadmi (1958), Raaz (1959), and Salma (1960). He got a Special Nigar for a most memorable role in Badnam, in 1966. He also got Nigar Awards for Dil Diya Dard Liya (1968) and later, for Bandish in 1980. His younger brother, Riaz Ahmed Raju, was a well-known director of the industry, who made films like Tere Shehr Mein, Mitti Diyan Moortan, Jumma Jang Naal and Jaedad.

Allaudin died on 13th May, 1983.

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