Zia Sarhadi

Zia Sarhadi received his early education and a college degree from Peshawar. While he was a student, he was interested in poetry and writing short stories. He then moved to Bombay in 1933 to pursue a film career. He first worked for the East India Film Company and some other companies for a while. Then he met the noted film director Mehboob Khan in Bombay. At Mehbbob's suggestion, he started writing screenplays and film stories for him. He was the father of TV and radio actor Khayyam Sarhadi and grandfather of actress Zhalay Sarhadi. As a film director, he was probably best known for his films Hum Log (1951), Baiju Bawra (1952) and Footpath (1953). He was involved in writing the script as a consultant for the film Mother India (1957), considered one of the greatest Indian films of all time, but is rarely credited for his contribution. Described as an "unaffiliated Marxist", his films were known for dealing with social issues of the period. His film Footpath, for instance, dealt with issues of moral guilt in the 1950s India.

• Year — Title — Director — Screenwriter — Notes — Ref. Reference(s) • 1936 — Bhole Bhale • Deccan Queen • Manmohan — Actor and lyricist also • 1937 — Jagirdar • Kokila — Lyricist • 1938 — Madhur Milan • Abhilasha • Hum Tum Aur Woh — Lyricist • Teen Sau Din Ke Baad — Lyricist • Gramophone Singer • 1939 — Seva Samaj • Ladies Only — Lyricist also • Jeevan Sathi • 1940 — Sajani — Lyricist also • Ali Baba • 1941 — Bahen • 1943 — Nadaan • 1945 — Yateem • 1947 — Elaan • 1948 — Anokha Pyar — Lyricist • Anokhi Ada • 1950 — Khel • 1951 — Hum Log • 1952 — Baiju Bawra • 1953 — Footpath • 1956 — Awaaz • 1960 — Rahguzar • 1964 — Beti — dialogues only • 1966 — Insaan • 1967 — Lakhon Mein Aik • 1977 — Naya Suraj