Written by: Mahnoor Fatima
Posted on: January 11, 2021 | 
| 中文
Muhammad Ali and Zeba in Mohabbat Ho To Aisi Ho
One aspect that made the Golden Age of Lollywood particularly enticing, was the undeniable chemistry of its superstars. It is not hard to believe that some of these on-screen couples remained together, even when the cameras stopped rolling. And perhaps one of the more electrifying couples on-screen were Muhammad Ali and Zeba. Though both actors were successful and talented in their own right, together they were an unstoppable force in cinema. They were married for over 40 years and were known affectionately by the public as “AliZaib”.
Muhammad Ali, known as the “Shahenshah-e-Jazbaat” (The Emperor of Emotions), was born in Rampur, India in 1931. He was known for his incredible acting range and his ability to make every role seem connvincing. Ali began his career as a broadcaster in Radio Pakistan in 1956, until he was recruited by director Fazal Kareem Fazli to star in his debut film, “Chiragh Jalta Raha (The Fire Burns On)” (1962).
In a career that spanned decades, Ali starred in over 250 films, 94 of which featured him as the lead. Though he first played the hero in “Shararat (Mischief)” (1963), he went on to star in other roles in films like “Kaneez” (1965), “Aag ka Darya (River of Fire)” (1966) and “Insaan aur Admi (Man and Human)” (1970). He received several accolades from the Pakistani film industry, with 10 Nigar awards and an Award of Excellence (Tamgha-i-Imtiaz), the Government of Pakistan’s second-highest civilian honor. Due to his long-lasting career and commitment to his roles, he is known as one of the greatest actors in the history of Pakistani cinema.
Muhammad Ali and Zeba in Nishat Cinema
Zeba was born in Ambala, British India in 1945, and migrated to Pakistan at the age of three. She went on to be one of the most successful actresses in the 1960’s and 1970s, and was the female romantic lead in perhaps Pakistan’s most commercially successful film “Armaan” (1966). During her 30-year career, she was equally lauded for her versatility and ability to immerse herself into her role in a variety of films, including one Punjabi and one Indian film. Besides the films she appeared in alongside her husband, some of her more popular films include “Eid Mubarak” (1964) and “Mohabbat (1972).
She won several Nigar Awards during her career, and The Crescent of Excellence in 2016 (Hilal-i-Imtiaz) for her contribution to the arts. Although she is retired and has shied away from the limelight in recent years, she is still respected by the film industry as one of the most talented actors of her generation.
Muhammad Ali and Zeba on Set
The two stars met on the set of “Chiragh Jalta Raha”, in which Zeba played the fresh faced darling, and Ali the villain. Despite being inaugurated by Miss Fatima Jinnah; the film went on to receive lukewarm success with the public. However, one memorable aspect of the film was that of the chemistry between Ali and Zeba during their scenes together. It was said that even off-screen, Ali’s charismatic and honest personality delighted Zeba from their first day on set, and he would often help her rehearse lines before a scene. However, despite acting together for several other films afterward, they would not marry until a few years later.
In 1966, Muhammad Ali and Zeba wed while shooting the film “Tum Mile Pyar Milla (I Found Love When I Found You)”. Following the marriage, Zeba’s successful partnership with the equally compelling “Chocolate Hero” Waheed Murad came to an end, as Ali preferred his wife to act alongside him as the romantic lead. While some critics lamented this move because they felt Zeba’s chemistry with Murad was more natural and convincing, this shift did not make a great difference to the audience, as both actors remained in demand for films.
Zeba and Waheed Murad
Ali-Zaib starred opposite each other in over 14 films, including Zeba’s last film, “Mohabbat Ho to Aeisi (A Love Like This)” in 1989. They remained married for the remainder of Ali’s life, till he died of a heart attack in 2006. Upon his death, Zeba lamented, “I’m not complete without Ali. He was a good husband, a great father and a good friend.”
Muhammad Ali and Zeba’s collaboration did not just stay limited to the silver screen, but also translated into philanthropic work. The Ali-Zaib Foundation was established in 1995 to help treat Thalassemia patients, with hospitals all over Pakistan. Ali-Zaib also remained closely tied to the government in cultural matters, as Muhammad Ali was selected as the special assistant to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s in 1999, and introduced policies to improve the working conditions of the Pakistani film industry.
Muhammad Ali and Zeba in the Later Years of Life
Ali-Zaib had one of the longest and most commercially successful partnerships in the history of Pakistani cinema. What perhaps makes Ali-Zaib so compelling is not only that both actors had incredible rapport with one another, but that both actors were individually talented and devoted to their craft. Their separate contributions as well as their collaborations have greatly impacted the quality and development of the Pakistani film industry.
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