Shahnoor Studios
Encyclopedia
The Shahnoor Studios is the studio founded by Syed Shaukat Hussain Rizvi
and his first wife, Noor Jehan
. The studio is one of the oldest studios in Lahore
.
During the 1940s in Bombay, Rizvi initially owned a company called Shaukat Art Productions. In 1948, after the independence of Pakistan, Noor Jehan and Rizvi shifted to Lahore
, Pakistan
. On the vandalised remains of what had been the Shorey Studios, they rebuilt a new studio called Shahnoor Studios. It was built from scratch and was finally completed and opened in 1950. The first film to be made there was the Punjabi
venture, Chanwey (1951). Noor Jehan and Rizvi directed the film together, since Rizvi did not speak Punjabi. The film became a huge success and brought Noor Jehan fame and fortune in Pakistan.
The studio's early years brought great success as all of Rizvi's films were shot in this studio. However, with the divorce of Rizvi and Noor Jehan in 1955, Noor Jehan had to write off her share of Shahnoor Studios to S.H. Rizvi to get the custody of her daughter, Zile Huma
and she would not shoot films in this studio again. Syed Shaukat's career after the divorce wasn't as great, because in marrying Noor Jehan, he was a success because of her. He was only able to make three films after his divorce. The studio is currently managed by Rizvi's three sons, Shahenshah Rizvi, Ali Mujtaba Rizvi, and Asghar Hussain Rizvi.
Syed Shaukat Hussain Rizvi
Syed Shaukat Hussain Rizvi was a pioneer of the Pakistani film industry. He was a film director, producer, and editor, and a supporting actor.-Early Life and Career :...
and his first wife, Noor Jehan
Noor Jehan
Noorjehan or Noorjehan was the adopted stage name for Allah Wasai who was a legendary singer and actress in British India and Pakistan. Her career spanned seven decades...
. The studio is one of the oldest studios in Lahore
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
.
During the 1940s in Bombay, Rizvi initially owned a company called Shaukat Art Productions. In 1948, after the independence of Pakistan, Noor Jehan and Rizvi shifted to Lahore
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
, Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
. On the vandalised remains of what had been the Shorey Studios, they rebuilt a new studio called Shahnoor Studios. It was built from scratch and was finally completed and opened in 1950. The first film to be made there was the Punjabi
Punjabi language
Punjabi is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by inhabitants of the historical Punjab region . For Sikhs, the Punjabi language stands as the official language in which all ceremonies take place. In Pakistan, Punjabi is the most widely spoken language...
venture, Chanwey (1951). Noor Jehan and Rizvi directed the film together, since Rizvi did not speak Punjabi. The film became a huge success and brought Noor Jehan fame and fortune in Pakistan.
The studio's early years brought great success as all of Rizvi's films were shot in this studio. However, with the divorce of Rizvi and Noor Jehan in 1955, Noor Jehan had to write off her share of Shahnoor Studios to S.H. Rizvi to get the custody of her daughter, Zile Huma
Zile Huma
Zile Huma is the daughter of the late Melody Queen Madam Noor Jehan and the only of her four daughters to follow in her mother's footsteps. Today, she is a popular Pakistani pop singer.- History :...
and she would not shoot films in this studio again. Syed Shaukat's career after the divorce wasn't as great, because in marrying Noor Jehan, he was a success because of her. He was only able to make three films after his divorce. The studio is currently managed by Rizvi's three sons, Shahenshah Rizvi, Ali Mujtaba Rizvi, and Asghar Hussain Rizvi.