Baaji (1963 film)

Baaji is a 1963 Pakistani musical romance film directed by S. Suleman. The film features Nayyar Sultana in the title role with Darpan, Zeba, Agha Talish and Lehri in pivotal roles. The music of the film's soundtrack was composed by Saleem Iqbal. Baaji depicts the frustrations of a young widow due to her increasing age.

The film didn't perform well at box office but received appreciable reviews, primarily due to Sultana's performance. In 2018, the film was selected to screen at Lok Virsa Museum. It received 5 awards at 1963 Nigar Awards, including Best film.

Plot
Farzana a.k.a. 'Fari' commonly known as Baaji in her circle of friends is a young widow, lives with some of her servants in a bungalow. Baaji lives a lonely life and has no family members living with her. One day, her cousin Nasir comes to meet her and she discovers that he lives nearby with a friend for his work assignment. Nasir then meets Seemi, daughter of Baaji's servant. They both fall for each other and decide to marry. Nasir returns home to bring his mother to send his proposal of marriage. When Baaji learns of it, he thinks that her mother is coming for her marriage. But when she arrives, she requests her to take Naisr's proposal to Seemi's parents. Baaji is shocked to hear it but controls herself and decides to arrange their marriage. After their marriage is settled, Baaji's health deteriorates and she is admitted to the hospital. In the hospital, one of Baaji's servants Zeenat tells Nasir that he is responsible for Baaji's condition because his friendly and caring behaviour towards her weighs on her. He then decides to call off the marriage and refuses to marry Seemi but agrees later when Baaji insists upon it. In this way, Nasir and Seemi gets married but Baaji dies sitting on the bench in her house's garden.

Cast

 * Nayyar Sultana as Farzana “Fari”, Baaji
 * Darpan as Nasir
 * Zeba as Seemi
 * Salma Mumtaz as Seemi's mother
 * Bibbo as Naisr's mother
 * Lehri as Shahid
 * Naina as Zeenat
 * Agha Talish
 * Zareen Panna
 * Emmi Minwala
 * Nazar
 * Yasmin (cameo appearance)
 * Ejaz (cameo appearance)
 * Noor Jehan (cameo; appearance in song "Sajjan Lagi Tori")
 * Habib (cameo; appearance in song "Sajjan Lagi Tori")
 * Sabiha Khanum (cameo; appearance in song "Sajjan Lagi Tori")
 * Santosh Kumar (cameo; appearance in song "Sajjan Lagi Tori")
 * Waheed Murad (cameo; appearance in song "Sajjan Lagi Tori")
 * Sultan Rahi (cameo; appearance in song "Sajjan Lagi Tori")

Soundtrack
All lyrics of the songs were written by Ahmad Rahi while music was composed by Saleem Iqbal.

The film features a classical number Sajjan Lagi Tori Lagan Mun Maa by Noor Jehan and Farida Khanum, on which classical dance was performed by Zareen Panna and Emi Menuwala. Indian tabla player Usataad Allah Rakha provide the rhythmic support to the dance and song. The song also features a number of cameos including, Noor Jehan, Sabiha Khanum, Santosh Kumar, Ejaz, Yasmin, Waheed Murad, Habib, Nazar and Sultan Rahi.

Track listing

 * Dil Ke Afsanay, Nigahon Ki Zuban Tak Pohanche sung by Noor Jehan
 * Chanda Tori Chandani Mein sung by Naseem Begum
 * Sanwariya, Ne Haye Diya Bara Dukh Denu by Naseem Begum
 * Ab Yahan Koi Nahi, Koi Nahi Aaye Ga sung by Noor Jehan
 * Saaf Chhuptay Bhi Nahi, Samnay Aate Bhi Nahi by Saleem Raza
 * Sajjan Lagi Tori Lagan Mun Maa sung by Noor Jehan and Farida Khanum
 * Aa, Aa, Aa, Kon Kut Bhei Laaj Mohay Aye by Salamat Ali Khan and Nazakat Ali Khan

Critical reception
While praising the Sultana's performance, The Illustrated Weekly of Pakistan wrote, "Nayyar was, however, at her best in Baaji. Playing the role of a love - starved woman, whose exterior conceals her frustrations and unfulfilled desires, Nayyar lent grace and dignity to the character assigned to her."

In a review by Herald, the reviewer stated her performance as the strongest element of the film. The journal also praised the dialogues, and stated the film as the best of Suleman's career.

The Outlook reviewing the film miscellaneously stating, "Likewise, half of ‘𝘉𝘢𝘢𝘫𝘪’ is devoted to getting it to us that the ‘𝘉𝘢𝘢𝘫𝘪’ in question—Nayyar again—is pathetically inhumane."

Legacy
Baaji topped the critics' poll of "Top Ten Pakistani Films" conducted by British Film Institute in 2002. The film was also selected among the "Top ten films" of the Pakistani cinema by the critic Aijaz Gul, as published in "Asian Film Journeys: Selection from Cinemaya".

The film's title was chosen by the director S. Suleman to name his film Baaji.