"Ragni: The Trailblazing Superstar of Lahore's Golden Era in Cinema"

 

Ragni was the first superstar heroine of Lahore-based cinema, making a significant impact on both Punjabi and Hindi/Urdu films during the 1940s.

She made her debut in the film Dulla Bhatti (1940) and quickly became a prominent figure in the industry, starring in numerous Punjabi and Hindi/Urdu films throughout the decade. Ragni also ventured into Bombay's film industry, where she set a record by becoming the highest-paid heroine of her time, earning an impressive Rs 50,000 for her role as Mumtaz Mahal in the film Shah Jehan (1946).

One of her notable films was Neik Parveen (1946), which was produced in Lahore by a Bombay-based crew led by director S.M. Yousuf.

After the partition of India in 1947, Ragni continued her film career in Pakistan. She produced and acted in the film Beqarar in 1950, alongside her second husband, S. Gul. Her role in the film Noukar (1955) was a major success, and her portrayal of Dil Aram in Anarkali (1958) was highly praised.

Ragni transitioned into character roles later in her career, with memorable performances in films such as Bedari (1958), Naela (1965), Lado (1966), Taj Mahal (1968), Sheran di Jori (1969), Charhda Suraj (1970), among others.

Born as Shamshad Begum in Gujranwala in 1923, Ragni came from a diverse background with a Muslim mother and a Hindu landlord father. She passed away on February 27, 2007, in Lahore, leaving behind a legacy as one of the pioneering actresses of Pakistani cinema.