Sabira Sultana
Pakistani actress (born 1945)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sabira Sultana (born 21 December 1945), also known as Statue of Marble, is a Pakistani actress and model.[2] Considered one of the leading actresses of the "golden era" of Pakistani cinema, Sabira was among the leading actresses of the 1960s and 1970s.[2] Active from the 1960s to 2002, she was known for her beauty and versatility, portraying a range of characters from romantic leads to supporting and character roles in Urdu, Punjabi, and Pashto films.[2]
Early life and education
She was born in Bombay, British India (present-day Mumbai), to a conservative Kashmiri family; her birth name was Rabia Begum.[2] After the partition of India her parents migrated to Lahore.[2] Influenced by her sophisticated personality, her friends encouraged her to enter the film industry. Sultana had a strong educational background. After her acting career, she became deeply involved in running her own girls' school in Lahore.[2]
Career
Debut and success (1960s)
Sultana began her career in the early 1960s with supporting roles.[2] She made her debut in a supporting role in Urdu film Insaf and her acting was praised by the critics which was released in 1960 the film was a box office hit it achieve silver jubilee success.[2] In 1964, she received her first leading roles in the romantic dramas Jamila and Shukria.[1] The following year, she earned critical acclaim for her powerful portrayal of a character from youth to old age in the family drama Kaneez, which established her as a respected actress.[1][3] She delivered other memorable performances in films like Aadil (1966) and the blockbuster Saiqa (1968), and was nicknamed the "Queen of Beauty" by fans.[2]
Critically acclaimed roles (1970s)
Her career continued successfully into the 1970s with roles in films like Chand Suraj (1970) and Chiragh Kahan Roshni Kahan (1971).[2] In 1975, she played her first and only villainous role in the film Bemisaal.[2] Sultana also acted in several Pashto-language films during this decade, beginning with the successful Ajab Khan Afridi in 1971.[2]
Hiatus and comeback
Following her appearance in Bemisaal, Sultana took a hiatus from the film industry.[2] In 1990, she moved to television and appeared in drama Bore Ke Lado later in 1991 then she worked in drama Main Aur Bhai Jaan both dramas were aired on PTV.[3] She returned in 1992, transitioning to character and elderly roles. During the 1990s, she also worked as a model for various brands including Gul Ahmed Lawn and other lawn manufacturers also in advertisements.[3] Her final film role was in Chalo Ishq Larain in 2002.[1][4]
Throughout her career, Sabira Sultana appeared in over 65 films across Urdu, Punjabi, and Pashto languages. Her ability to adapt to different roles and perform with a versatile range cemented her legacy in Lollywood.[2]
Personal life
Sultana is married and has one daughter.[2]
In 2022, Sultana appealed to the government for recognition of her services to Pashto cinema.[5] In November 2025, she received financial assistance from Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz due to her illness.[6]
Filmography
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Bore Ke Lado | Shaista | PTV |
| 1991 | Main Aur Bhai Jaan | Begum Sahiba |
Film
| Year | Title | language | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Insaf | Urdu | |
| 1960 | Dil Kis ko Doon | Urdu | |
| 1961 | Tum Na Mano | Urdu | |
| 1963 | Yahudi Ki Larki | Urdu | |
| 1964 | Shukria | Urdu | |
| Jamila | Urdu | ||
| Maa Ka Pyar | Urdu | ||
| Choti Behan | Urdu | ||
| 1965 | Bahu Begun | Urdu | |
| Nargis | Urdu | ||
| Eid Mubarak | Urdu | ||
| Umar Qaid | Urdu | ||
| Mujahid | Urdu | [7] | |
| Kaneez | Urdu | ||
| 1966 | Moajza | Urdu | |
| Mera Salaam | Urdu | ||
| Aadil | Urdu | ||
| Khalifa | Urdu | ||
| Insaan | Urdu | ||
| Naghma-e-Sehra | Urdu | ||
| 1967 | Elaan | Urdu | |
| Musafir | Urdu | ||
| Burma Road | Urdu | ||
| Shaam Savera | Urdu | ||
| 1968 | 14 Saal | Urdu | [8] |
| Shareek-e-Hayat | Urdu | [9] | |
| Sonay Ki Chirya | Urdu | [9] | |
| Saiqa | Urdu | ||
| Taj Mahal | Urdu | ||
| 1969 | Buzdil | Urdu | [10] |
| Dil De Ke Dekho | Urdu | ||
| 1970 | Takht Aur Taj | Urdu | |
| Ansoo Ban Gaye Moti | Urdu | ||
| Kahin Deep Jale Kahin Dil | Urdu | ||
| Naureen | Urdu | ||
| Chand Suraj | Urdu | ||
| 1971 | Gharnata | Urdu | |
| Charagh Kahan Roshni Kahan | Urdu | ||
| Ajab Khan Afridi | Pashto | [5] | |
| 1972 | Badlay Gi Dunya Sathi | Urdu | |
| Suhag | Urdu | ||
| Dil Ek Aina | Urdu | ||
| 1973 | Farz | Urdu | |
| Sarhad Ki Gaud Mein | Urdu | ||
| Naya Rasta | Urdu | ||
| Melma | Pashto | ||
| Zakhmi | Urdu | ||
| Rangeela Aur Munawwar Zarif | Urdu | ||
| 1974 | Jang Aw Aman | Pashto | |
| Intezar | Urdu | ||
| Wotan Mena | Urdu | ||
| Mastani Mehbooba | Urdu | ||
| 1975 | Bemisaal | Urdu | [11] |
| 1992 | Hero | Urdu / Punjabi | |
| 1996 | Kelona | Urdu | |
| 1997 | Mard Jeenay Nahi Dete | Urdu | |
| 1997 | Chand Girhan | Urdu | |
| 1999 | Qismat | Urdu | |
| 2000 | Bali Jatti | Punjabi | |
| Jagg Mahi | Punjabi | ||
| Sharang Da Bangroo | Pashto | ||
| Tere Pyar Mein | Urdu | ||
| 2001 | Janwar | Urdu | |
| 2002 | Chalo Ishq Larain | Urdu |