View source for Neelo

{{Short description|Pakistani actress (1940–2021)}}
{{Use Pakistani English|date=July 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Neelo<br /> {{Nastaliq |نیلو}}
| image              = 
| caption            = 
| birth_name         = Cynthia Alexander Fernandes
| birth_date         = {{Birth date|df=yes|1940|06|30}}<ref name=cineplot/>
| birth_place        = [[Bhera]],  [[Punjab Province (British India)|Punjab]], [[British India]]
| death_date         = {{death date and age|2021|01|30|1940|06|30|df=y}}
| death_place        = [[Lahore]], [[Punjab, Pakistan]]
| othername          = ''The Queen of Romance''<ref name=YoulinMagazine/> <br> ''The Princess of Romance''<ref name=DailyTimes/> <br> Abida Riaz 
| occupation         = [[Film]] [[actor|actress]]
| years active       = 1955 &ndash; 2005
| spouse             = {{marriage |[[Riaz Shahid]]|1965|1972 |end=d.}}<ref name="Images 2021">{{cite web | title=Legendary film star Neelo passes away | website=Images | date=2021-01-30 | url=https://images.dawn.com/news/1186477 | access-date=2021-11-01}}</ref>
| children           = [[Shaan Shahid]] (son)
| awards             = [[Sitara-i-Imtiaz]] (2022)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2349407/rohail-hyatt-receives-hilal-e-imtiaz-thanks-partners-in-vital-signs-coke-studio-journey|title=Rohail Hyatt receives Hilal-e-Imtiaz, thanks partners in Vital Signs, Coke Studio journey|website=The Express Tribune|date=March 25, 2022}}</ref>
}}

'''Neelo Begum''' (born '''Cynthia Alexander Fernandes'''; ''[[née]]'' '''Abida Riaz'''; 30 June 1940 &ndash; 30 January 2021) was a [[Pakistani]] veteran film actress. She made her film debut in 1956 with a Hollywood film [[Bhowani Junction (film)|''Bhowani Junction'']]. She was known as ''The Queen of Romance'' and ''The Princess of Romance'' for her portrayal of romantic roles.<ref name=YoulinMagazine>{{cite web|url=https://www.youlinmagazine.com/article/neelo-the-defiant-screen-starlet/MTkyOQ==|title=Neelo: The Defiant Screen Starlet|website=Youlin Magazine|date=February 2, 2021}}</ref><ref name=DailyTimes>{{cite web|url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/517331/shaan-shares-adorable-pictures-with-mother-neelo|title=Shaan shares adorable pictures with mother Neelo|website=Daily Times|date=December 12, 2021}}</ref> She worked in more than 134 [[Cinema of Pakistan|Pakistani film]]s including [[Urdu]] and [[Punjabi language]] films.<ref name=cineplot/><ref name="ThePrint 2021">{{cite web | title=Famous Pakistani actor Neelo dies, 'happiest moment’ says Bilawal Bhutto on sister’s marriage | website=ThePrint | date=2021-02-01 | url=https://theprint.in/go-to-pakistan/famous-pakistani-actor-neelo-dies-happiest-moment-says-bilawal-bhutto-on-sisters-marriage/596328/ | access-date=2021-11-01}}</ref>

She was the recipient of numerous awards, including [[Nigar Awards]], she earned recognition after appearing in a song "Aaye Mausam Rangilay Suhanay" from the film ''[[Saat Lakh]]'' and after playing lead role in [[Zarqa (film)|''Zarqa'']].<ref name="The Nation 2021">{{cite web | title=Veteran film star Neelo passes away | website=The Nation | date=2021-01-31 | url=https://nation.com.pk/31-Jan-2021/veteran-film-star-neelo-passes-away | access-date=2021-11-01}}</ref>

==Early life ==
Born into a [[Catholic Church|Catholic family]], she adopted a Muslim name, Abida Riaz after marrying a Pakistani filmmaker, [[Riaz Shahid]] in 1965.<ref name="Daily Times 2019">{{cite web | title=Neelo - the iconic filmstar of yesteryears | website=Daily Times | date=2019-05-29 | url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/403175/neelo-the-iconic-filmstar-of-yesteryears/ | access-date=2021-11-01}}</ref> 

Neelo was born in [[Bhera]], British India.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1605933|title=IN MEMORIAM: NEELO'S UNCHAINED SPIRIT|website=Dawn Newspaper|date=February 27, 2022}}</ref> She did her primary schooling at Kinnaird High School, Lahore.<ref name="pakistantoday"/>

==Controversies==
In 1965, at the peak of her popularity, she was summoned by [[Nawab Malik Amir Mohammad Khan]], then [[Governor]] of [[West Pakistan]], to dance on stage for the [[Mohammad Reza Pahlavi|Shah of Iran]] during his official visit to Pakistan; but she refused to do it for her own reasons. Harassed and threatened, Neelo faced dire consequences for refusing to obey official orders. She was allegedly gang molested and attempted suicide on the way to the Governor's House and was taken to a hospital instead, where the doctors saved her life.<ref name=Dawn/>

News of the incident generated widespread public backlash against the Nawab. The renowned leftist poet [[Habib Jalib]], on hearing of the incident, expressed his anguish in his poem over her attempted suicide: "Tu kay nawaqif-e-aadab-e-ghulami hae abhi...raqs zanjeer pehan ker bhi kya jata hae" (meaning: "unaware art thou yet of the rites of enslavement...dance can be performed even while enchained".) Later this poem was used in the film ''Zarqa'' (1969) with slight changes in the words and ended up becoming a super-hit film song in Pakistan. The film song became much more relevant, effective, and popular because it was picturised on Neelo herself and was based on similar real-life events in Neelo's life. She also won the Best Actress [[Nigar Award]] for film ''Zarqa'' (1969). It had superb music by Wajahat Attre and was sung by [[Mehdi Hassan]].<ref name=Dawn/> Film ''Zarqa'' (1969) was produced and directed by Riaz Shahid who also wrote its screenplay. Neelo helped her husband, [[Riaz Shahid]], produce this film and it became the box office hit film of her career.<ref name=cineplot>{{cite web|url=http://cineplot.com/neelo/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111011065209/http://cineplot.com/neelo/|title=Profile of actress Neelo |website=Cineplot.com website|date=27 September 2009|archive-date=11 October 2011|url-status=dead|access-date=23 April 2022}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Born Cynthia Alexander Fernandes, Neelo was the only Pakistani actress to feature in a major Hollywood film, "Bhowani Junction," starring Ava Gardner and Stewart Granger, which also marked her film debut. She later entered the Pakistani film industry as an extra, worked her way up to second lead roles, and eventually became a leading lady due to her exceptional talent.

"Zarqa" became Pakistan's first diamond jubilee film and marked the pinnacle of Neelo's career, being hailed as a milestone in Pakistani cinema.

The couple named their first child Zarqa in honor of the film followed by two sons Sarosh and Armaghan as known as Shaan . Riaz Shahid died from blood cancer in October 1972.<ref name="Dawn">[https://www.dawn.com/news/1141556 Socialist cinema: Habib Jalib and Riaz Shahid in Neelo's film Zarqa (1969) on Dawn (newspaper)] Published 5 November 2014, Retrieved 18 July 2018</ref><ref name="cineplot" /> She is the mother of film actor [[Shaan Shahid]].<ref name="pakistantoday">{{Cite web|date=2021-01-30|title=Veteran actress Neelo Begum dies of cancer|url=https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2021/01/31/veteran-actress-neelo-begum-dies-of-cancer/|access-date=2021-01-31|website=Pakistan Today|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Illness and death==
She died from [[Tumors of the hematopoietic and lymphoid tissues|blood cancer]] on 30 January 2021 in Lahore.<ref name="Images 2021"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://arynews.tv/pakistani-actress-neelo-begum-passes-away|title=Vetreran Pakistani actress Neelo Begum passes away|website=ARY News|date=January 30, 2021}}</ref>

==Filmography==
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
*1956  ''[[Bhowani Junction (film)|Bhowani Junction]]''<ref name=cineplot/>
*1956: ''[[Sabira (film)|Sabira]]''<ref name=cineplot/>
*1957: ''[[Anjaam (1957 film)|Anjaam]]''<ref>{{cite book |last=Gazdar |first=Mushtaq |author-link=Mushtaq Gazdar |year=1997 |title=Pakistan Cinema, 1947-1997 |publisher=Oxford University Press |page=246 |isbn=0-19-577817-0}}</ref>
*1957: ''[[Bholey Khan]]''
*1957: ''[[Pasban]]''{{citation needed|date=April 2023}}
*1957: ''[[Sehti]]''
*1957: ''[[Saat Lakh]]''<ref name=cineplot/>
*1957: ''[[Yakke Wali]]''
*1957: ''[[Aankh Ka Nashah]]''
*1958: ''[[Akhri Nishan]]''<ref name=cineplot/>
*1958: ''[[Changez Khan]]''
*1958: ''[[Darbar (1958 film)|Darbar]]
*1958: ''[[Jaan-E-Bahaar (1958 film)|Jaan-e-Bahaar]]''
*1958: ''[[Jatti]]''
*1958: ''[[Kachian Kaliyan]]''
*1958: ''[[Mumtaz (film)|Mumtaz]]''
*1958: ''[[Nayi Larki]]''<ref>{{cite book |last=Gazdar |first=Mushtaq |author-link=Mushtaq Gazdar |year=1997 |title=Pakistan Cinema, 1947-1997 |publisher=Oxford University Press |page=247 |isbn=0-19-577817-0}}</ref>
*1958: ''[[Neya Daur]]''
*1958: ''[[Sheikh Chilli (1958 film)|Sheikh Chilli]]''
*1958: ''[[Zehr-e-Ishq]]''<ref name=cineplot/>
*1959: ''[[Koel (film)|Koel]]''
*1959: ''[[Lalkaar (1959 film)|Lalkaar]]''
*1959: ''[[Lukkan Mitti]]''
*1959: ''[[Neend]]''<ref name=cineplot/>
*1959: ''[[Shama (1959 film)|Shama]]''
*1959: ''[[Shera (1959 film)|Shera]]''
*1959: ''[[Sola Aanay]]''
*1959: ''[[Suchhey Moti]]''
*1959: ''[[Nagin (1959 film)|Nagin]]''
*1959: ''[[Saathi (1959 film)|Saathi]]''<ref name=cineplot/>
*1959: ''[[Yaar Beli]]''
*1960: ''[[Alladin Ka Beta (1960 film)|Alladin Ka Beta]]''
*1960: ''[[Ayaz (film)|Ayaz]]''
*1960: ''[[Insaaf (1960 film)|Insaaf]]''
*1960: ''[[Khyber Mail (film)|Khyber Mail]]''
*1960: ''[[Manzil (Pakistani film)|Manzil]]''
*1960: ''[[Neelofar (1960 film)|Neelofar]]''
*1960: ''[[Shehzadi]]''
*1960: ''[[Street 77]]''
*1961: ''[[Bara Bajje]]''<ref>{{cite book |last=Gazdar |first=Mushtaq |author-link=Mushtaq Gazdar |year=1997 |title=Pakistan Cinema, 1947-1997 |publisher=Oxford University Press |page=250 |isbn=0-19-577817-0}}</ref>
*1961: ''[[Do Raste]]''<ref name="Gazdar1997p249">{{cite book |last=Gazdar |first=Mushtaq |author-link=Mushtaq Gazdar |year=1997 |title=Pakistan Cinema, 1947-1997 |publisher=Oxford University Press |page=249 |isbn=0-19-577817-0}}</ref>
*1961: ''[[Subah Kahin Sham Kahin]]''<ref name="Gazdar1997p249" />
*1962: ''[[Azra (film)|Azra]]''
*1962: ''[[Banjaran (1962 film)|Banjaran]]''
*1962: ''[[Barsaat mein]]''
*1962: ''[[Darwaza (1962 film)|Darwaza]]''
*1962: ''[[Dosheeza]]''
*1962: ''[[Ghunghat (1962 film)|Ghunghat]]''
*1962: ''[[Husn-o-Ishq]]''
*1962: ''[[Unche Mahal]]''
*1963: ''[[Barat (1963 film)|Barat]]''
*1963: ''[[Daaman (film)|Daaman]]''
*1963: ''[[Ishq par zor nahin]]''
*1963: ''[[Kala Aadmi]]''
*1963: ''[[Mouj Mela]]''
*1963: ''[[Qatal ke baad]]''
*1963: ''[[Shikwa (film)|Shikwa]]''
*1964: ''[[Beti (1964 film)|Beti]]''
*1964: ''[[Daachi]]''
*1964: ''[[Gehra Daagh]]''
*1964: ''[[Jugni (1964 film)|Jugni]]''
*1964: ''[[Khyber Pass (film)|Khyber Pass]]''
*1964: ''[[Mera Mahi]]''
*1964: ''[[Nehle peh Dehla]]''
*1964: ''[[Sher di Bachi]]''
*1965: ''[[Fareb (1965 film)|Fareb]]''
*1965: ''[[Jeedar (1965 film)|Jeedar]]''
*1965: ''[[Raqqasa]]''
*1966: ''[[Abba Jee]]''
*1966: ''[[Ann Parh]]''
*1966: ''[[Badnaam]]''
*1966: ''[[Chughalkhor]]''
*1966: ''[[Laado (1966 film)|Laado]]''
*1966: ''[[Mr. Allah Ditta]]''
*1966: ''[[Naghma.e-Sehra]]''
*1966: ''[[Nizam Lohar#In popular culture##Films|Nizam Lohar]]''
*1966: ''[[Payal Ki Jhankar]]''
*1967: ''[[Chattan (film)|Chattan]]''
*1967: ''[[Dil Da Jani]]''
*1967: ''[[Neeli Baar]]''
*1967: ''[[Ravi Paar]]''
*1967: ''[[Sham Savera (1967 film)|Sham Savera]]''
*1967: ''[[Yaar Maar]]''
*1968: ''[[Jag Beeti]]''
*1968: ''[[Lala Rukh (1968 film)|Lala Rukh]]''
*1968: ''[[Paristan (1968 film)|Paristan]]''
*1968: ''[[Wohti]]''
*1969: ''[[Aukha Jatt]]''
*1969: ''[[Zarqa (film)|Zarqa]]''<ref name=cineplot/>
*1971: ''[[Karishma (1971 film)|Karishma]]''
*1974: ''[[Khatarnak (1974 film)|Khatarnak]]''
*1974: ''[[Bahisht]]'' (producer only)
*1975: ''[[Athra]]''
*1975: ''[[Balwant Kaur (film)|Balwant Kaur]]''
*1975: ''[[Dhan Jigra Maa Da]]''
*1975: ''[[Heera Phumman]]''
*1975: ''[[Izzat (1975 film)|Izzat]]''
*1975: ''[[Jailor te Qaidi]]''
*1975: ''[[Mera Naa Patey Khan]]''
*1975: ''[[Rajjo (1975 film)|Rajjo]]''
*1975: ''[[Sir Da Badla]]''
*1975: ''[[Sultana Daku (1975 film)|Sultana Daku]]''
*1975: ''[[Watan Iman]]''
*1976: ''[[Ayyash (film)|Ayyash]]''
*1976: ''[[Gangu Puttar Maa Da]]''
*1976: ''[[Jatt Kurrian Taun Darda]]''
*1976: ''[[Khaufnaak]]''
*1976: ''[[Kil Kil Mera Naa]]''
*1976: ''[[Pindiwal]]''
*1976: ''[[Wardat (1976 film)|Wardat]]''
*1977: ''[[Aj Diyan Kurrian]]''
*1977: ''[[Akhri Goli]]''
*1977: ''[[Danka (film)|Danka]]''
*1977: ''[[Jurm main keeta si]]''
*1977: ''[[Malikzada (film)|Malikzada]]''
*1977: ''[[Mere Badshah]]''
*1977: ''[[Sadqay Teri Mout Tun]]''
*1977: ''[[Tera vi jawab nahin]]''
*1978: ''[[Chamman Khan]]''
*1978: ''[[Gharib da baal]]''
*1978: ''[[Ghunda]]''
*1978: ''[[Haidar Daler]]''
*1978: ''[[Inqalab]]''
*1978: ''[[Mazi, haal aur mustaqbil]]''
*1978: ''[[Nazrana (1978 film)|Nazrana]]''
*1978: ''[[Sharif Shehri]]''
*1978: ''[[Tax (film)|Tax]]''
*1979: ''[[General Bakht Khan (film)|General Bakht Khan]]''
*1979: ''[[Mout meri zindagi]]''
*1979: ''[[Order (1979 film)|Order]]''
*1980: ''[[Chotay Nawab]]''
*1980: ''[[Heera Puttar]]''
*1982: ''[[Khatra 440]]''
*1989: ''[[Barood ki Chhaon]]''
*1990: ''[[Bulandi (1990 film)|Bulandi]]''
*1990: ''[[Jur'at]]''
*2013: ''[[Waar]]''
{{div col end}}

==Tribute and honour==
Actress and model [[Iqra Aziz]] held a tribute in her memory on International Women's Day and described her a very fine actress, successful individual, an amazing wife, and a wonderful mother.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/732531/iqra-aziz-pays-tribute-to-neelo-begum-on-womens-day|title=Iqra Aziz pays tribute to Neelo Begum on Women's Day|website=Daily Times|date=November 17, 2021}}</ref> The [[Government of Pakistan]] named a street and intersection after her in [[Lahore]] on August 16, 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1640853|title=Lahore streets, intersections to be named after famous personalities|website=Dawn News|date=September 21, 2021}}</ref>

==Awards and recognition==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Award !! Category !! Result !! Title !! Ref.
|-
| 1959 || ''[[Nigar Awards|Nigar Award]]'' || ''Best Supporting Actress'' || {{Won}} || ''[[Koel (film)|Koel]]'' ||<ref name=cineplot/><ref name=hot/>
|-
| 1963 || ''[[Nigar Awards|Nigar Award]]'' || ''Best Supporting Actress'' || {{Won}} || ''Aman'' ||<ref name=hot/>
|-
| 1969 || ''[[Nigar Awards|Nigar Award]]'' || ''Best Actress'' || {{Won}} || ''[[Zarqa (film)|Zarqa]]'' ||<ref name=hot/>
|-
| 1999 || ''[[Nigar Awards|Nigar Award]]'' || ''Special Millennium Award'' || {{Won}} || ''Herself'' ||<ref name=hot>{{cite web|url=https://www.desimoviesreviews.com/index.php/2017/11/24/pakistans-oscars-nigar-awards/ |date=24 November 2017|archive-date=13 June 2020|access-date=23 April 2022|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613171619/https://www.desimoviesreviews.com/index.php/2017/11/24/pakistans-oscars-nigar-awards/|title=Pakistan's "Oscars": The Nigar Awards|website=The Hot Spot Film Reviews website}}</ref>
|-
| 2022 || ''[[Sitara-i-Imtiaz]]'' || ''Award by the [[President of Pakistan]]'' || {{Won}} || ''Herself'' ||<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1640759|title=126 people to get civil awards for their distinguished work|website=Dawn Newspaper|date=January 2, 2022}}</ref>
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{IMDb name|0624194}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20191101152717/https://www.citwf.com/person316910.htm Filmography of actress Neelo on Complete Index To World Film website Archived]

{{Navboxes
|title = Awards for Neelo 
|list =
{{NigarAwardBestActress|1961-1980}}
{{NigarAwardBestSupportingActress}}
{{SpecialAwardfromNigarAwards}}
}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Neelo}}
[[Category:1940 births]]
[[Category:Actresses in Pashto cinema]]
[[Category:2021 deaths]]
[[Category:Pakistani film actresses]]
[[Category:Nigar Award winners]]
[[Category:People from Sargodha District]]
[[Category:20th-century Pakistani actresses]]
[[Category:Recipients of Sitara-i-Imtiaz]]
[[Category:21st-century Pakistani actresses]]
[[Category:Pakistani former Christians]]
[[Category:Converts to Sunni Islam from Catholicism]]
[[Category:Actresses in Urdu cinema]]
[[Category:Actresses in Punjabi cinema]]