Neelo

Neelo
Born	Cynthia Alexander Fernandes (1941-06-30) June 30, 1941 Bhera, Sargodha
Other names	Abida Raiz
Occupation	actress, dancer
Spouse(s)	Riaz Shahid

Neelo (or Abida Riaz) is an actress from Lahore and mother of the film actor Shaan.

Early life

Neelo was born on 29 June 1945 in Bhera, Sargodha. At age 12 she appeared in Bhowani Junction (1956), a Hollywood film shot in and around Lahore. She got her break when she performed in the song "Aye mausam, rangilay suhanay" in the film Saat Lakh.

Controversies

In 1965, she was summoned by Amir Mohammad Khan, Governor of West Pakistan, to dance for the Shah of Iran during his official visit; but she refused to comply with the conditions. Harassed and threatened, Neelo faced dire consequences for refusing to obey orders. She attempted suicide on the way to the Governor's house and was taken to a hospital instead where doctors saved her life.

The renowned leftist poet Habib Jalib expressed his anguish : "Tu kay nawaqif-e-aadab-e-ghulami hae abhi..". Later this poem was used in film Zarqa with slight changes in the words.

Personal life

Neelo's real name was Cynthia Alexander Fernandes. She adopted a name Abida Riaz after embracing Islam at the time of marriage.

Filmography

• 1956: Sabira
• 1957: Anjaam
• 1957: Bholey Khan
• 1957: Pasban
• 1957: Sehti
• 1957: Saat Laakh
• 1957: Yakke Wali
• 1957: Aankh ka Nashah
• 1958: Akhri nishan
• 1958: Changez Khan
• 1958: Darbar
• 1958: Jan-e-Bahar
• 1958: Jatti
• 1958: Kachian Kaliyan
• 1958: Mumtaz
• 1958: Nayi Larki
• 1958: Neya Dour
• 1958: Sheikh Chilli
• 1958: Zehr-e-Ishq
• 1959: Koel
• 1959: Lalkaar
• 1959: Lukkan Mitti
• 1959: Neend
• 1959: Shama
• 1959: Shera
• 1959: Sola aanay
• 1959: Suchey Moti
• 1959: Saathi
• 1959: Yaar Beli
• 1960: Alladin ka Beti
• 1960: Ayaz
• 1960: Insaaf
• 1960: Khaibar Mail
• 1960: Manzil
• 1960: Neelofar
• 1960: Shehzadi
• 1960: Street 77
• 1961: Bara bajje
• 1961: Subha kahin sham kahin
• 1962: Azra
• 1962: Banjaran
• 1962: Barsaat mein
• 1962: Darwaza
• 1962: Dosheeza
• 1962: Ghoonghat
• 1962: Husn-o-Ishq
• 1962: Unche Mehal
• 1963: Barat
• 1963: Daaman
• 1963: Ishq par zor nahin
• 1963: Kala Aadmi
• 1963: Mouj Mela
• 1963: Qatal ke baad
• 1963: Shikwa
• 1964: Beti
• 1964: Daachi
• 1964: Gehra Daagh
• 1964: Jugni
• 1964: Khaibar Pass
• 1964: Mera Mahi
• 1964: Nehle peh Dehla
• 1964: Sher di Bachi
• 1965: Fareb
• 1965: Jeedar
• 1965: Raqasa
• 1966: Abba Jee
• 1966: Ann Parh
• 1966: Badnaam
• 1966: Chughalkhor
• 1966: Laado
• 1966: Mr. Allah Ditta
• 1966: Naghma.e-Sehra
• 1966: Nizam Lohar
• 1966: Pail ki Jhankar
• 1967: Chattan
• 1967: Dil da Jani
• 1967: Neeli Baar
• 1967: Ravi Paar
• 1967: Sham svera
• 1967: Yaar Maar
• 1968: Jag beeti
• 1968: Lala Rukh
• 1968: Paristan
• 1968: Wohti
• 1969: Okha Jatt
• 1969: Zarqa
• 1971: Karishma
• 1974: Khatarnaak
• 1975: Athra
• 1975: Balwant Kour
• 1975: Dhan jigra Maa da
• 1975: Heera Phumman
• 1975: Izzat
• 1975: Jailor te Qaidi
• 1975: Mera naa Patey Khan
• 1975: Rajjo
• 1975: Sir da badla
• 1975: Sultana Daku
• 1975: Watan Iman
• 1976: Ayyash
• 1976: Gangu Puttar Maa da
• 1976: Jatt Kurian toon darda
• 1976: Khoufnaak
• 1976: Kil kil mera naa
• 1976: Pindiwal
• 1976: Wardat
• 1977: Ajj dian Kurian
• 1977: Akhri Goli
• 1977: Danka
• 1977: Jurm main keeta si
• 1977: Malikzada
• 1977: Mere Badshah
• 1977: Sadqay Teri Mout Tun
• 1977: Tera vi jawab nein
• 1978: Chamman Khan
• 1978: Gharib da baal
• 1978: Ghunda
• 1978: Haidar Daler
• 1978: Inqalab
• 1978: Mazi, haal aur mustaqbil
• 1978: Nazrana
• 1978: Sharif Shehri
• 1978: Tax
• 1979: General Bakht Khan
• 1979: Mout meri zindgi
• 1979: Order
• 1980: Chhotay Nawab
• 1980: Heera Puttar
• 1982: Khatra 440
• 1989: Barood ki Chhaon
• 1990: Bulandi
• 1990: Jur'at
• 2013: Waar

External links

• Neelo on IMDB