Khursheed Shahid facts for kids

Begum Khursheed Shahid (born January 1, 1926 – died June 27, 2021) was a famous actress and singer from Pakistan. She was also the mother of the well-known actor Salman Shahid.

Early Life

Khursheed Shahid was born in 1926 in Delhi, which was part of British India at the time. Her father worked for the government, and her mother was a well-educated housewife.

When she was seven years old, Khursheed and her siblings loved watching a religious play called Ram Leela. She and her sisters even acted in the play, taking on different roles on stage.

Khursheed's father believed that education was very important for girls. He supported her career choices. She completed her schooling in Delhi.

Career Highlights

Khursheed Shahid started acting and singing when she was just nine years old. A leader named Aruna Asaf Ali visited her school. Khursheed's classmates told Ms. Ali about her singing and acting skills.

Ms. Ali chose Khursheed for a musical show. After the show, Ms. Ali took her to All India Radio. There, she met the famous music composer Feroz Nizami. He heard her sing and encouraged her.

Feroz Nizami gave her a poem to sing. He composed music for it the next day. Khursheed began singing regularly at All India Radio in Delhi. She also read poems written by Mukhtar Siddiqui on the radio.

Later, she met music director Roshan Lal Nagrath. He was the grandfather of the popular Indian actor Hrithik Roshan. Roshan Lal Nagrath saw Khursheed's talent for singing. He started giving her lessons and helped her practice.

Moving to Pakistan

After the Partition of India in 1947, Khursheed and her family moved to Lahore, Pakistan. She went to Radio Pakistan for an audition. She began performing in musical programs there.

The station director, Mehmood Nizami, liked her classical singing. He introduced her to Bhai Lal. Khursheed learned classical singing from Bhai Lal Mohammad. She was also inspired by Roshan Ara Begum. Many people said Khursheed sounded like Roshan Ara on the radio.

Khursheed met Roshan Ara Begum at the Lahore Arts Council. They became good friends. Roshan Ara Begum even taught Khursheed how to play the Tanpura, a musical instrument.

Theatre and Television

Before PTV (Pakistan Television) started in 1964, Khursheed was a well-known theatre actress. She performed in many great plays. Famous writers like Faiz Ahmad Faiz, Manto, and Sadequain wrote these plays.

When PTV launched in 1964, an executive named Aslam Azhar offered her a role. Khursheed agreed, but only if she was the highest-paid actress. He accepted her condition.

Her first play for PTV was a comedy called Ras Malai. After that, she regularly appeared in PTV dramas. Some of her popular TV shows include Wadi-e-Purkhar, Kaanch Ka Pul, Fehmida Ki Kahani, Ustani Rahat Ki Zabani, Kiran Kahani, and Dhund.

Film Work and Awards

Khursheed also acted in films. She appeared in Khurshid Anwar's film Chingari. She also starred in the Punjabi movie Bhola Sajan. Many people, including Khursheed herself, thought her acting in Bhola Sajan was excellent.

In 1995, Khursheed Shahid received a special award. The Government of Pakistan honored her with the Pride of Performance. This award recognized her amazing contributions to singing, film, and television.

She continued to work in popular TV dramas. Some of these include Parchaiyan, Zair, Zabar, Pesh, and Uncle Urfi. These shows were all written by the famous writer Haseena Moin.

In late 2003, Khursheed Shahid retired from acting. She moved to Lahore to live with her son, Salman Shahid.

Personal Life

Khursheed married producer Salim Shahid when she was young. Their marriage did not last long, but they did not get a divorce. Salim moved to London to work for BBC and stayed there until he passed away. Khursheed had one son, Salman Shahid, who is also a famous actor.

Illness and Death

Khursheed Shahid was admitted to a hospital after having a heart attack. She passed away on June 27, 2021, at the age of 98, due to a heart attack while in the hospital. Her funeral prayers were held at a mosque in Defense Phase 2, Block T, and she was buried in a cemetery in Phase 7.

TV Shows and Movies

Television series

• Ras Malai
• Uncle Urfi
• Zair, Zabar, Pesh
• Parchaiyan
• Masoom
• Teesra Kinara
• Samundar
• Sayeen Aur Psychiatrist
• Saahil
• Man Chalay Ka Sauda
• Inn Sey Miliye
• Chabi Aur Chabiyan
• Dhoop Dewar
• Kaanch Ka Pul
• Fehmida Ki Kahani, Ustani Rahat Ki Zubani
• Andhera Ujala
• Sannata
• Sona Chandi
• Chabi Aur Chabiyan
• Ana
• Dhund
• Kiran Kahani
• Fishaar
• Wadi-e-Purkhar
• Boota from Toba Tek Singh

Film

• Dhoop Aur Saye
• Chingari
• Bhola Sajan
• Khamosh Pani
• Ghalib

Awards and Recognition

• Pride of Performance (1995) by the President of Pakistan