“Jharna and I met for the first time on the sets of Rajdhanir Bukey (1958), Ehtesham's debut film. It wasn't love at first sight though. We came closer to each other gradually, as we worked together and created ripples in the film world," says Robin Ghosh, the eminent music composer of numerous blockbusters.
Robin and his beautiful wife Jharna were reminiscing on the good old days, the golden years of filmdom and memorable personalities that they had been acquainted with. Robin's wife has a larger than life image of her own. Jharna aka Shabnam was one of the leading ladies both in Bangla and Urdu films for years. Her vivaciousness, radiant beauty and superior acting skills have earned her a legendary status.
For Rajdhanir Bukey, Ehtesham signed Robin Ghosh as the music composer. Rahman played the hero and Talat Mehmood was chosen for the playback. Thus Robin received his first big break.
Director Ehtesham changed Jharna's name to Shabnam and offered her a major supporting role in his first Urdu film Chanda (1962). Chanda, a big hit at the box office, was Shabnam's first Urdu film as well.
The distributors were not so enthusiastic at first, as they thought that an unknown cast would not attract cine-goers. So Ehtesham opened an office in Lahore and released the film on his own. Soon Chanda became the talk of the town and attained a super hit status. The charm of Bangla folk-based tunes such as Aankhiyan teri raaha niharey, O pardesia and Saaiyyan bedardi mora na jaaney rendered by Mehdi Hasan, Anjuman Ara Begum and Ferdousi Rahman captivated the audience in both East and West Pakistan.
After the grand success of Chanda, Ehtesham's brother, Mustafiz cast Shabnam in the lead role in his film Talaash (1963). The film starred Rahman in the role of the protagonist. The music was composed by none other than Robin Ghosh. Thus a superhit trio was formed that included Shabnam, Rahman and Robin. Meanwhile the intimacy between Shabnam and Robin led to their marriage in 1965. After their marriage, they moved to Karachi.
Shabnam recalls, "It was in the year 1964, while working on the sets of Preet Na Janey Reet in Sylhet, we were all chatting and relaxing when Rahman came up dressed in his new outfit. We literally had to coax him to join us. Rahman was, however, in a different mood. He wanted to go to the shooting spot and show off his new getup. That evening we heard the terrible news that his jeep had been hit by a speeding truck. We rushed to the hospital where it seemed like the whole city had poured in. Sylhet Hospital was not well equipped then. Rahman lay unconscious and he needed blood immediately. It was actor Khalil's blood that matched his and later Rahman was shifted to Dhaka. After six months he was sent to London for further treatment.
"He was a born survivor," Shabnam went on. "At the apex of his popularity, Rahman lost a limb but he never even contemplated retiring from films. You see, films were his life. During shooting, he would often have difficulties, yet he never complained. We watched in awe when he managed to walk uphill in Rangamati with great effort," adds Shabnam. Rahman was very outspoken and sincere towards co-artistes, besides being the centre of attention at parties, she recalls.
By the late '60s, Shabnam's professionalism and acting skills were unmatched in Pakistan. More films were released in the then West Pakistan than here. It was sometime during the mid '70s, when Rahman moved to Lahore. One fine morning he called Shabnam and said, "I'm here to make a film." "What's your budget?" asked Robin. "About 7,000 rupees," he replied. "That's not enough for a day's shoot, let alone an entire film," was Robin's reaction.
However, Rahman was determined to make the movie. Now it was Shabnam's turn to see to it that the 'golden boy of Bengal' did not return empty handed.
She and her husband chalked up a plan. Shabnam worked at Ever New Studios in Lahore, which was certainly the best in those days. She approached Agha Gul, the owner of the studio, and asked for a favour. Agha treated Shabnam like his daughter and agreed to forego the studio rent and other expenses till the final print was done. Professional musicians decided to work free of cost till the film was released. Runa Laila did the playbacks for free. The film titled Chahat (Longing), featured Rahman and Shabnam in the lead roles and was a huge success.
During her movie-career that spanned over 35 years, Shabnam worked with all renowned Pakistani actors. Films featuring the Shabnam-Nadeem pair are extremely popular in Pakistan to this date. However, the movies Darshan, Chalo Maan Gaye, Chahat, Do Saathi, Dosti, and Milan, where Rahman was paired with her, received accolades from both the critics and masses.
Shabnam and Robin moved to Dhaka for good in 1999. They now reside in Baridhara. Rahman lived nearby. Shabnam says, "Due to a stroke, he was bedridden and I made it a point to visit him often."
"In 1966, on Bhai Phota (a festival celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters), I was at his place and I said that having a brother would be really nice. Stretching his hand, Rahman said, 'I'm your brother, why don't you tie the rakhi around my wrist?' Since that day, he used to call me 'Piu apa'," remembers a nostalgic Shabnam.
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