Ghunghat (Urdu: گھونگھٹ, "Face-veil") is a 1962 Pakistani musical suspense thriller film directed by Khawaja Khurshid Anwar, who also wrote the screenplay and composed the music of the film.
The main concept was derived from Ghulam Mohammad's short story Dosheeza. The film features Nayyar Sultana and Santosh Kumar as leads with Neelo, Laila, Ghulam Mohammad and Bibbo in supporting roles.
The film was selected as the Pakistani entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 36th Academy Awards, but was not accepted as a nominee. This film won four awards at the 1962 Nigar Awards, including Best Actor for Kumar and Best Music.
The film was featured in British Film Institute's critics and users' polls of "Top ten Pakistani films of all times". In November 2015, it was screened at the Lok Virsa Museum to keep the historical records of the feature films.
Contents
Plot
Shahid is deceived by his newly married bride Naheed, who elopes on their wedding night which disturbs him badly. He turns alcoholic and is left all alone after this tragic incident. To move on, he decides to visit a hill station with his friend so that he could feel better. However, on reaching there, he is haunted by the spirit of Usha Rani, which he always thought was his fantasy or his dream as he remembered in the fairytale from his childhood.
Cast
Santosh Kumar as Shahid
Nayyar Sultana as Naheed / Usha Rani
Laila
Neelo
A. Shah Shikarpuri
Agha Talish
Ghulam Mohammad
Soundtrack
"Rahoon Pey Thari Main, Nazrein Jamaye" is cited as an example of Anwar's "haunting" musical style, distinct from horror music.
Awards
Ghunghat won a total of 4 following Nigar Awards:
Best Actor - Santosh Kumar
Best Music - Khwaja Khurshid Anwar
Best Cameraman - Nabi Ahmed
Best Editing - Ali