Neelo

Born into a Catholic family, she converted to Islam and adopted a Muslim name, Abida Riaz, after marrying Pakistani filmmaker Riaz Shahid in 1965.^[8]

Neelo was born in Bhera, British India.^[9] She did her primary schooling at Kinnaird High School, Lahore.^[10]

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 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.^[11]

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 minor changes 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 the film Zarqa. It had superb music by Wajahat Attre and was sung by Mehdi Hassan.^[11] Zarqa (1969) was produced and directed by Neelo's husband, Riaz Shahid, who also wrote its screenplay. Neelo helped her husband produce this film and it became the box office hit film of her career.^[1]

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.

Neelo and Riaz Shahid named their first child Zarqa in honor of the film. They also had two sons, Sarosh and Armaghan, the latter of whom became well-known as actor and director Shaan Shahid.^[10] Riaz Shahid died from blood cancer in October 1972.^[11][1]

Neelo died from blood cancer on 30 January 2021 in Lahore.^[4][12]

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.^[17] The Government of Pakistan named a street and intersection after her in Lahore on August 16, 2021.^[18]