| Director: | Laiq Akhtar |
| Producer: | Shamim Ara |
| Cinematography: | Kamran Mirza |
| Music: | Nisar Bazmi |
| Studio: | Shamim Ara Productions |
| Country: | Pakistan |
| Language: | Urdu |
| Saiqa | |
| Screenplay: | Masroor Anwar |
| Story: | Razia Butt |
Saiqa is a 1968 Pakistani Urdu romantic film directed by Laiq Akhtar and produced by Shamim Ara in her debut production under Shamim Ara Productions. The film was based on Razia Butt's novel by the same name. The lead cast included Shamim Ara, Mohammad Ali, Darpan, Lehri, and Zamurrad.[1]
Saiqa is considered as one of the best performances of Ara,[2] winning her a Nigar Award for Best Actress also. Collectively, the film received 9 Nigar Awards in different categories including "Best Film".[1]
The protagonist of the film is Saiqa, a twenty-year-old orphan girl who lives in a palace with her grandmother, aunts, and uncle. The palace, however, is a horrible place for her because she is treated badly due to her parents' deeds. Her distant aunt Anjum Ara, who visits occasionally, and her uncle Fakhr, who does not overtly express his affection for her because of his wife, are the only people who truly adore her.
Saiqa secretly loves her most annoying cousin Rehan, but he likes his other cousin. The superstitious adults with hate-filled hearts have misled Rehan and other kids in the palace into thinking that Saiqa's presence is a curse. Finally, Saiqa succeeds in convincing Rehan about her true love for him.
The music of the film was composed by Nisar Bazmi[4] and the songs were written by Masroor Anwar:[5]
The film was based on Razia Butt's best-seller Saiqa.[1] The filming took place in Swat.[6]
Saiqa was released on 13 September 1968.[5]
Saiqa received 9 Nigar Awards in the following categories:[3] [7] [8] [9]
| Category | Awardee | |
|---|---|---|
| Best film of 1968 | Shamim Ara | |
| Best actress | Shamim Ara | |
| Best script writer | Razia Butt | |
| Best screenplay | Masroor Anwar | |
| Best actor | Mohammad Ali | |
| Best comedian | Lehri | |
| Best lyricist | Masroor Anwar | |
| Best male playback singer | Mehdi Hassan | |
| Best musician | Nisar Bazmi |