Asha Posley

Some of her notable films, include Sassi (1954), Noukar (1955), Dulla Bhatti (1956), Noor-e-Islam (1957), Ishq-e-Laila (1957), Mukhra (1958), Aaina (1966), Insaniyat (1967) and Main Zinda Hun (1968).

• Name — Asha Posley • Birth Name — Sabira Begum • Born — 31 May 1927 • Birthplace — Patiala, Punjab, British India • Died — 26 March 1998 • Place of death — Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan • Other Names — First Heroine of Pakistani film industry • Occupation — * Actress • Singer • writer • Playback Singer • Years Active — 1931 - 1998 • Parents — Inayat Ali Nath (father) • Relatives — * Rani Kiran (sister) • Kausar Parveen (sister) • Najma Begum (sister) • Shamsher Ali (brother) • Awards — Nigar Award (1982)

Asha Posley was born as Sabira Begum in Patiala, Punjab, British India in 1927. Asha Posley was the daughter of music composer Inayat Ali Nath, who worked with His Master's Voice in Delhi, and the sister of renowned film playback singer Kausar Parveen and her other sisters were Rani Kiran and Najma Begum. She started singing at the age of four and used to sing in children's radio programmes at All India Radio in Delhi. Asha's younger brother Shamsher Ali was a musician. She started performing in theatre plays and dramas in Urdu and Punjabi. During that time her theatres dramas became very popular and she was trained in singing by her father Inayat Ali Nath. She was skilled in singing ghazal, geet, tappe, thumri and dadra. In 1940 she moved from Delhi to Lahore along with her family. She accompanied her father to the studios to watch the shooting of director B. R Sethi's 1942 film Gawandhi and he offered her a role in the film which she accepted.

She made her debut as a supporting actress in Lahore-made Punjabi film Gawandi (1942), then the lead role in Hindi film Champa (1945), filmed in British India. She was given her professional name Asha Posley by the renowned music director Ghulam Haider. After the independence of Pakistan in 1947, she migrated with her family to the newly created Pakistan. She was the heroine of the first-ever released film in Pakistan in Urdu language, Teri Yaad (1948). She played the female lead opposite Nasir Khan, famous Indian actor Dilip Kumar's brother, who played the male lead in the film. After playing the female lead role in films during 1940s, 1950s and 1960s then she was cast mainly in supporting roles especially opposite comedian actors Nazar and Asif Jah in most of her films. She acted in 143 films during her film career spanning over 4 decades. In 1982 she was honored with Nigar Award For 30 Years of Excellence which was given to her by Ilyas Rashidi for her contributions towards the film industry. Later she transitioned to television and worked in numerous drama serials by appearing in various character roles in television dramas. In 1995 she appeared in drama Red Card which was written by Rimsha it aired on both PTV and STN.

Posley's younger sister Kausar Parveen was playback singer in 1950s and 1960s. Her other younger sister Najma was the actress of Urdu and Punjabi television dramas. Asha's younger brother Shamsher Ali was a musician.

Asha Posley died on 26 March 1998 at Lahore, Pakistan at age 70.

• Year — Title — Role — Network • 1976 — Asha Tamasha — Asha — PTV • 1983 — Silver Jubilee — Herself — PTV • 1995 — Red Card — Nani — PTV