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In Memorial: Muhammad Javaid Fazil

For a director in Lollywood, the biggest aim is to sustain and survive — churning out a quality film comes second due to the decline of the industry. However, for Javed Fazil compromising on quality was the last thing on his mind and he went on directing hits despite the failure of films by his contemporaries. The veteran director passed away on December 29, 2010, in Karachi. Mohammad Javed Fazil was born in 1940, and joined the film industry during the ‘60s, soon after completing his studies. He assisted numerous directors including Qadeer Ghori and S Suleman during his career as an assistant/associate director but turned to direction with Goonj in 1977. The film did well considering it was his first foray as a mainstream director and marked the beginning of what turned out to be one of the most successful careers in Pakistan’s entertainment history. Javed Fazil was one of the few directors who achieved cult status both at home and abroad. Be it his family drama Bazar-i-Husn or his action flick Faisla, or the typical filmi production Dehleez, he remains the most copied director of the last 20 years from this side of the border. Many Indian directors thrived on his work as they made Paap Ki Duniya out of Faisla, Bazar-i-Husn became Pati Patni Aur Tawaif, whereas Dehleez was copied as Oonche Log. Even his comedy caper, Ustadoon Kay Ustad, became an inspiration for Bollywood comedies such as Andaaz Apna Apna and Jan-e-man. He was the only director ever to convince Waheed Murad to wear glasses and portray an older man. He also directed film star Nadeem in more than half of his films, most of which did well including Saima, Aahat, Lazawaal, Dehleez, Naraz, Faisla, Kundan, Bazar-i-Husn and Bulandi. His last film, Main Ek Din Laut Kay Aaonga, which he directed after a gap of a decade, also featured Nadeem. The veteran thespian remembers him as one of the most-talented directors he ever worked with. “Javed Fazil was not just a director but a personal friend as well. His work was everything to him. We don’t have such dedicated people these days, and his demise has further weakened the ailing film industry. It was an honour to work alongside him in so many films. The list of his films speaks for itself which includes hits such as Saima, Aahat, Dehleez, Lazawaal, Faisla, Bulandi, etc,’ says Nadeem. Javed Fazil’s films are known for their music as well. He collaborated with musicians including Nisar Bazmi, Sohail Rana, Amjad Bobby, M Ashraf and Robin Ghosh during his career with the result that songs such as Baja Bajnay Wala Hai (Saima), Chaman Chaman Kali Kali (Aahat), Aaj Tu Ghair Sahi (Dehleez), Aap Apni Misaal (Lazawaal), Zindagi Geet Hai (Faisla), Aakhri Saans Tak (Bulandi) and Dil Kay Taar Bajay (Main Ek Din Laut Kay Aaonga) went on to rule the airwaves. If one compiles the list of the most famous songs of the past three decades, most of them would be from films directed by Javed Fazil. Following the decline of the film industry during the ‘90s, Javed Fazil moved to television. Actor Behroze Sabzwari recalls him as the only film director who could prove his mettle on TV, “He went on to become the most successful TV director due to his superior technical knowledge and understanding of the field. In fact, he was one of the few directors to have a command over set design, camera techniques and acting. He even directed me in one song sequence of Aakhri Mujra, a film by Madam Shamim Ara. Since she is a mentor to all of us, including Javed Sahib, he called the shots when asked by her.” During the last decade-and-a-half, Javed Fazil directed many TV plays, including the magnum opus, Janay Anjanay, Chandni Raatein and Mehndi. He returned to direct his last film, Main Ek Din Laut Kay Aaonga that had songs by Indian singers Asha Bhonsle and Alka Yagnik and music by Jawad Ahmed along with acting talents from Pakistan. “It was Javed Sahib’s dream to make a film in India, something he achieved with Main Ek Din Laut Kay Aaonga,” remembers Javed Sheikh. “We mostly shot in the Indian city of Hyderabad and during the shooting he constantly reminded me: ‘Dekha, main na kehta tha ke India main film banaoon ga’!” Humayun Saeed terms him a director with a will to do anything, “We used to tease him about his growing age yet he always said: ‘Main jaoonga to kaam karte jaoonga’. He was scheduled to call the shots of Aurat Ka Ghar Konsa the morning he died. Most importantly, he will be remembered as a friend who always gave his best.” Adds Behroze Sabzwari, “Javed Fazil Sahib was a great friend who was always in high spirits. Losing him is a great blow to the showbiz industry of Pakistan. May his soul rest in peace” He left behind wife Ishrat Javaid and 3 sons Adnan J Fazil who live in US and work with him in Drama Khayaal in London, Zeeshan J Fazil who live in Norway, Noman J Fazil who live in Australia, Daughter Nida Usman live in Pakistan and US.