Zia Sarhadi

Zia Sarhadi was a film director, writer and poet in Pakistani, Indian and prepartition films.

Film Rahguzar (1960) and Shehar Aur Saye (1974) were his films as director. He wrote stories of more than one dozens films, Lakhon Mein Ek (1967) was his most successful film. He also penned songs in few films.

In India, Zia Sarhadi made two movies, Hamlog (1951) and Footpath (1953).

Before partition, Zia Sarhadi wrote the screenplay, dialogue and songs of director Mehboob Khan's film Deccan Queen (1936). He also wrote script of film Aurat (1940) which was made as Mother India in 1957 - both from director Mehboob Khan.

Zia Sarhadi was director of half dozens films and the first was Postman (1938). His film Nadan (1943) with Madam Noor Jehan was a super hit film.

Zia Sarhadi was leftist ideologist and made social movies. His son Khayyam Sarhadi was a popular TV and radio actor, and granddaughter Zhalay Sarhadi is also an actress. He was born in Peshawar in 1914 and died in 1997 in London.