Ishrat Chaudhary

Biography

Ishrat Chaudhary, also known as Ishrat Choudhary (Urdu: عشرت چوہدری) is a Pakistani actress and classical dancer. She was one of the most prominent stars of Lollywood during the golden era of the 1970s and 1980s. Famously nicknamed Cleopatra for her distinct, striking looks and recognized as the Dancing Queen of the industry, she built a highly prolific career spanning nearly three decades. She acted in Urdu, Punjabi, Sindhi and Pashto films and is known for her roles in films including, Phool Mere Gulshan Ka, Warrant, Jatt Kurian Tun Darda, Mohabbat Aur Dosti, Maang Meri Bhar Do, Laila Majnu, Suha Jora, Aj Diyan Kurrian, Millan, Pakeeza, Wehshi Gujjar and Maang Meri Bhar Do. Ishrat was widely recognized as Lollywood’s premier Sex Kitten of the 1970s.

== Early life and education == Ishrat was born on August 7, 1958 in Lahore, Pakistan and she was the only sister of two brothers.Her family has a musician background, she and her brothers received musical training from their parents from a young age. Ishrat completed her education from Alhamra Arts Council and she was trained in classical dancing and received a certificate as the best dancer. She was performing a classical Kathak dance in a musical program which was her first performance and there film director Mumtaz Ali Khan was looking for a new actress for his upcoming Pashto film Darra Khyber. He saw Ishrat performing and cast her in the film.

== Career == Ishrat made her debut as an actress in Pashto film Dara Khyber in 1971. Then she went to the studio to shoot the film scenes and there actor Mustafa Qureshi was making his Urdu film Taan Seen then he saw her and he cast her in his film, which was later renamed Chand Aur Sooraj, the film was delayed and was then released in 1973 as Nadiya Kay Paar, which was Ishrat's first Urdu film. Ishrat worked in many Urdu films in 1970s but later she also worked in Pashto and Sindhi films. In August 17, 1973, director Pervez Malik's blockbuster film Anmol was released and it was a diamond jubilee at the box office. In the film, Shabnam and Shahid and Ishrat Chaudhary were part of the cast. She portrayed the role of a dancer and the song Main Hoon Sapno Ki Rani was picturized on her. Then she appeared in films such as Tera Gham Rahay Salamat, Bano Rani, Dulhan Rani, Dunya Gol Hay, Main Bani Dulhan, Baat Dekhdi Teri Jawani Tak, Subah Ka Tara, Parda Na Uthao, Surraya Bhopali, Phool Mere Gulshan Ka, Laila Majnu and Bhool then she also appeared in Punjabi films including Sohna Veer, Aan, Dako Te Insan, Manjhi Kathe Dahawan, Nadra, Noukar Wohti Da, Jogi and Dus Numbri. She worked in total one hundred sixty four films, including fifty nine Urdu, eighty Punjabi, thirty two Pashto and three Sindhi. She worked in her last film which was Shamim Ara's Chupkay Chupkay, which was released in 1999 and then she retired.

== Personal life == She married her co-star Shahid. The couple had worked together on-screen and she met Shahid on the set of the film Goonji. She has a daughter with him but the marriage didn't last long as she filed for divorce citing irreconcilable differences but remained on good terms with him. She lives in Lahore and is friends with fellow actress Bahar Begum.

== Filmography ==

=== Film ===

== References ==

== External links == Ishrat Chaudhary at IMDb