Fighting for his life, film legend Habib waits for govt to fulfil promise

Film legend still unpaid for state-sponsored 1992 film ‘Baghi

LAHORE:

Habibur Rehman was one of the biggest stars of Pakistani cinema back in the day. Commonly called film star Habib, he was the heartthrob of his time; an actor who was on the forefront of the class of suave, urbanised youth who had begun taking up film as a profession. However, that Habib is no more. The Habib of today breathes through a ventilator and is struggling between life and death at the intensive care unit of Lahore’s Ittefaq Hospital. His physical health indeed may be beyond anyone’s control but for his financial condition, he blames the government.

Almost 24 years ago, the ministry of women development had requested the star make a film on the practice of karo-kari (honour killing) prevalent in the rural areas of the country. He willingly obliged and poured his life’s earnings into the project, casting mega stars of the time such as Sultan Rahi, Ghulam Mohiuddin and Hina Shaheen. Bakhshi Wazir had put together music for the film that was named Baghi. The film managed to do reasonably well. The government had promised to reimburse the expenses possibly thinking that promises are meant to be broken. The subsequent years broke not only Habib’s back but also his war chest.



Talking to The Express Tribune, his wife said, “Two weeks ago, he had purchased a packet of envelopes to write letters to government officials again.” The woman, who chooses to call herself Mrs Habib only, said the actor had in the past knocked doors of all politicos but to no avail. “He had spent all his earnings on the film. Things never remained the same for us after Baghi.” How much the film contributed towards the cause against karo-kari is a separate debate, what can be said with certainty is that it did push Habib into a downward spiral. She said despite Habib’s terrible condition, the government doesn’t seem to care one bit. The outstanding amount stands at Rs11 million. “Maybe if they return the money he might breathe a sigh of relief,” she added.

Almost five years ago, Habib had undergone brain surgery but he was never able to fully recover. A recent brain haemorrhage forced him to return to the hospital and his current CT scan report does not hint at any improvement. Doctors say another surgery is on the cards but his condition is not allowing that to happen, as of now.

The actor started his career in 1956 with Lakht-e-Jigar and worked in around 600 films, including Aadmi, Suriya, Dil kay Tukray, Taxi Driver, Rangu Jutt, Malanga, Dil da Jani and many others. He also ventured into film-making and produced popular films such as Pardes and Haar Gaya Insan. He holds the distinction as being one of the few highly educated individuals in the film industry of his time; he has a graduate degree in English literature. Only two days before sustaining a brain haemorrhage, the 76-year-old was on the set, working in a TV serial called Lambi Judai. Although the Punjab government has extended support to his family, Baghi is one thing that still tugs at his heartstrings.

Mohiuddin said Habib is a versatile actor who put in a lot of effort into Baghi. “I was a part of the film and it was a major hit. It is among the best films that we have made on social evils. I was not aware of the fact that the government never paid him for it,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 21^st, 2016.

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