Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar

Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar (Punjabi: خلیل الرحمان قمر) is a Pakistani screenwriter, director, Urdu poet, lyricist and occasional actor and producer known for writing such dramas as Pyarey Afzal (2013),[1] Sadqay Tumhare (2014) and most recently the top-rated Meray Paas Tum Ho (2019–2020), as well as the 2019 ISPR-produced film Kaaf Kangana.

khallil-ur-Rehman Qamar
Born (1962-12-16) 16 December 1962 (age 61)
Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
Occupations
  • Screenwriter
  • Lyricist
  • Director
  • Producer
  • Poet
  • Actor
Years active1995–present
Notable workMeray Paas Tum Ho
Sadqay Tumhare
Boota from Toba Tek Singh
Landa Bazar
Pyarey Afzal

Early and personal life

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Education

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Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar was born in 1962 in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. He studied in a government high school in Shad Bagh, Lahore. He used to write in school too and did further studies in B.Com followed by an MBA.[citation needed]

He wrote the drama serial Sadqay Tumhare based on his own love story during his teenage days.[2]

Professional career

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Khalil worked at the National Bank of Pakistan but sought retirement as he wanted to pursue a writing career.[3]

Family

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In 1985, Khalil married his first wife Rubi Naz. They have a son and a daughter. [4][5] Khalil ur Rehman married his second wife Rozina Qureshi, while being married to Rubi. Rozina is an actress and was previously married to actor Faysal Qureshi.[6] Khalil ur Rehman has a stepdaughter, Hanish Qureshi, from Rozina's marriage to Faisal and has two children of his own with Rozina.[6]

His son Aabi Khan is an actor.[7]

Career

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Khalil started his TV drama career with Dastak Aur Darwaza (1995), that he wrote and acted in, and later produced a film Qarz (1997) which he also wrote. He also wrote the dialogues of Ghar Kab Aao Gay (2000), Tere Piyar Mein, Mukhra Chan Varga, Nikki Jai Haan but made his breakthrough with Boota from Toba Tek Singh (1999). Later, he used this style in his dramas Landa Bazar (2002) and Love, Life Aur Lahore. Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar has written various drama serials but he is best known for his all time super hit dramas such as Pyarey Afzal (2013), Sadqay Tumhare (2014), and Meray Paas Tum Ho (2019).

Controversies

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Feminism and sexism

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On 3 March 2020, Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar appeared on a Pakistani talk show on Neo News to discuss the Aurat March. When Qamar was speaking, Marvi Sirmed interrupted Qamar by shouting "Mera Jism Meri Marzi" (meaning "My Body My Choice"), a feminist slogan.[8][9] He made obscene remarks about Marvi’s body and also indulged in abusive name calling towards her. Qamar was accused of sexism and heavily criticized by politicians and prominent figures, while Geo TV suspended his contract.[9] Qamar said he was not stating anything, at the time of her speech, but she interrupted him.[10]

Abduction case

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On 15 July 2024, Qamar was abducted when he was allegedly invited out by a fan late at night around 4:40am. His belongings were taken and a ransom was demanded.[11] Some Pakistanis called the abduction "poetic justice", saying that he was not abducted by men, but by women.[12]

Filmography

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Television serials

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Year Title Screenwriter Lyricist Actor Director Producer
1995 Dastak Aur Darwaza    
1999 Boota from Toba Tek Singh    
2000 Tum Yehi Kehna    
2001 Chandpur Ka Chandoo      
2002 Landa Bazar    
2005 Dil Hai Ke Diya Hai          
2007 Dilli Ke Bankay      
2009 Jab Hatheli Par Chand Likhna  
2010 Muhabbat Har Muhabbat Jeet    
Uss Paar  
2011 Phir Kab Milo Gay  
Anokhi    
2012 Adhoori Film Ki Poori Kahani    
Beopaar  
Man Jali  
Tumhain Kuch Yaad Hai Janan    
Main Mar Gai Shaukat Ali  
2013 Bunty I Love You  
Love Life Aur Lahore    
Pyarey Afzal  
Mian Biwi Minus Love  
2014 Sadqay Tumhare  
2015 Mera Naam Yousuf Hai  
2016 Unsuni    
Zara Yaad Kar    
2017 Mohabbat Tumse Nafrat Hai    
Tau Dil Ka Kia Hua  
Laal Ishq  
2019 Meray Paas Tum Ho    
2023 Idiot  
2024 Gentleman    
Sunn Mere Dil  

Television shows

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Year Show Channel Role
2021 Public with Khalil-ur-Rahman Qamar Public News Host
2023 Gup Shab With Vasay Chaudhry Samaa TV Guest
Mazaaq Raat Dunya News

Films

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Year Film Screenwriter Lyricist Director Producer Language
1997 Qarz     Urdu
2005 Koi Tujh Sa Kahan  
2010 Channa Sachi Muchi Only dialogues Punjabi
2017 Punjab Nahi Jaungi   Urdu/Punjabi
2019 Kaaf Kangana         Urdu
2022 London Nahi Jaunga   Urdu/Punjabi
2025 Mirza Jatt   Urdu/Punjabi

References

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  1. ^ "What 'Pyarey Afzal' did right". Dawn (newspaper). 25 August 2014. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
  2. ^ Kinza Piracha (26 September 2020). "13 Popular Pakistani Dramas Based On True Events". brandsynario.
  3. ^ "All about Khalil ur Rehman Qamar". 27 June 2020.
  4. ^ Sachwani, Anusha (13 January 2020). "'Mere Paas Tum Ho' Writer Khalil-ur-Rehman Slammed for Second Marriage". Brandsynario. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  5. ^ Khalil-ur-Rehman | Mere Paas Tum Ho – Writer | Aik Din Geo Kay Sath, 5 January 2020, retrieved 14 March 2020
  6. ^ a b "Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar's step daughter comes out in support of him against trolls". geo.tv. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  7. ^ Kaukab Jahan (16 October 2019), "Kaaf Kangana Emerge Out of The Pain At Partition: Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar", Masala !. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
  8. ^ Gulzar, Falah (4 March 2020). "Pakistan: Director Khalil-ur-Rehman abuses journalist Marvi Sirmed on air for supporting #AuratMarch2020". Gulf News. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  9. ^ a b Agence France-Presse (7 March 2020). "Pakistan's 'biggest feminist' Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar under fire after sexist tirade". France 24. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  10. ^ Fida Hussnain. "Qamar Justifies His Act Of Misbehaving With Marvi Sarmad On TV". Dawn News.
  11. ^ Gabol, Imran (21 July 2024). "Dramatist Khalilur Rehman says abducted, looted by armed men in Lahore". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
  12. ^ Chakraborty, Debdutta (22 July 2024). "Director Khalil-ur-Rehman gets kidnapped by female robbers. Pakistanis call it 'poetic justice'". ThePrint. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
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