S. Suleman

Syed Suleman (29 December 1938 – 14 April 2021), also known as S. Suleman or Sullu Bhai, was a Pakistani film director. He also appeared in Bollywood films with minor roles before migrating to Pakistan and after migration, he directed around forty-eight films in Pakistan film industry, including two Punjabi films between 1961 and 1998.^[1]

He made his acting debut with an Indian film Mela playing the younger role of Dilip Kumar. He made his directorial debut with Gulfam (1961) while his last film as a director is Very Good Dunya Very Bad Log (1998). Zeenat (1975) is the first film of Suleman which helped him to earn his first Nigar Awards — Best Director. He also directed Urdu TV serials after leaving Pakistan film industry.^[2]

He was born as Syed Suleman in Hyderabad State, British India (in modern-day Hyderabad, India). He migrated to Pakistan in the mid to late 1950s to join his two brothers, Santosh Kumar and Darpan, in Lahore.^[3] He married actress and dancer Zareen Panna in the 1960s, with whom he had five children, including two sons and one daughter. S. Suleman first worked as an assistant to the veteran film director Anwar Kamal Pasha. He is the recipient of ten Nigar Awards.^[4][1][2]

He first appeared in films in 1947, when he played Dilip Kumar's younger role in film Mela (1948). After moving to Pakistan following the partition of India, he ventured in Pakistan films in the mid-50s. He initially worked at the editing department, and later a Pakistani film director and producer Anwar Kamal Pasha made him assistant director for film Sarfarosh (1956) starring Suleman's elder brother Santosh Kumar and sister-in-law Sabiha Khanum. He later worked as an assistant director of Saat Lakh (1957) and Saathi (1959). Following the promotion of Saathi, he made his directorial debut with Gulfam. In 1963, he collaborated with Darpan for Baaji (1963) and Taangewala (1963). In 1966, he directed Tamasha that flopped at the box office. A year later, the film flopped he collaborated with a writer Agha Hasan Imtisal and a music director Nisar Bazmi for the production of Jaise Jante Nahin (1969), Bewafaa (1970), Sabaq (1972), and Shararat (1976). Bewafaa was the only film of Suleman starring Waheed Murad. Noted Pakistani film director Syed Noor first had assisted him in film direction before launching his own career independently.^[1][2]

After creating ten films in collaboration with Muhammad Ali and Zeba, he worked with new actors such as Nadeem Baig and Shabnam.^[2] He also introduced Ghulam Mohiuddin to films with Anarri, Babra Sharif with Intezar (1974), Waseem Abbas with Manzil (1981). Some singers also made their debut with Suleman's films such as Mujeeb Aalam with "Main Khushsi Se Kyun Na Gaaon" from Lori, Tahira Syed with "Yeh Mehfil Jo Aaj Saji Hai" from Muhabbat, and Zil-e-Huma with "Sulagh Raha Hai Tann Mera" from Very Good Dunya Very Bad Log^[1]

Following the introduction of Videocassette recorder (VCR) in Pakistan, he directed action-thriller films Manzil (1981) and Tere Bina Kya Jeena (1982) starring Muhammad Ali. After making 48 films, he left film industry and joined television where he directed serials such as Colony 52, Kiya Yehi Pyar Hai and Ana.^[2]

Year	Title	Director	Ref(s)
1961	Gulfam		[5][2][1]
1963	Baji
	Mehndi Walay Hath
	Tangay Wala
1965	Tamasha
1966	Tasvir
	Lori
1967	Aag
1968	Yaar Dost
1969	Piya Millan Ki Aas
	Jaisay Jantay Nahi
	Baharen Phir Bhi Ayen Gi
1970	Bewafa
	Mohabbat Rang Laye Gi
	Ek Phool Ek Pathar
1971	Teri Soorat Meri Ankhen
1972	Ilzam
	Mohabbat
	Sabaq
1973	Society
	Tera Gham Rahay Salamat
	Baharon Ki Manzil
1974	Intezar
	Miss Hippy
	Bhool
1975	Zeenat
	Gumrah
	Anari
	Sharat
	Zanjeer
1976	Mom Ki Guriya
	Aaj Aur Kal
	Tallaq
	Insaniyat
1977	Uff Yeh Bivian
	Mere Huzoor
	Pyar Ka Waada
1978	Aag Aur Zindagi
	Abhi To Main Jawan Hun
	Prince
1979	Nazr-e-Karm
1980	Haaey Yeh Shohar
1981	Manzil
	Dil Ek Khilona
1982	Teray Bina Kya Jeena
1987	7 Sahelian
	Love in London
1998	Very Good Dunya Very Bad Log

• Colony 52 (2004)
• Kiya Yehi Pyar Hai
• Ana (2004)
• Abdullah Karwani
• Taal Wala
• Kuch Dil Ne Kaha (2006)^[5]

He was suffering from diabetes and kidney disease for some time before his death.^[2] He was admitted to a private hospital in Lahore where he died on 14 April 2021.^[1]

He was the recipient of twelve awards, including ten Nigar Awards by Nigar magazine, one Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence) award and the Pride of Performance award by the government of Pakistan.^[6]

• S. Suleman at IMDb