Sawan
As a Villain :
Zafar Ahemd Butt was also one of those who started from the scratch, Zafar Ahemd Butt (also addressed as Jafra by his close ones) who subsequently became one of the leading villain and character actor (mostly in Punjabi films) of Pakistan film industry as Sawan.
His Early Life :
Zafar Ahmed Butt belonged to a Kashmiri family of District Sialkot. Due to his family financial situation he was unable to continue with his education so at very early age he joined British Indian Army during World War-ll and during his army career remained posted on different war zones including Middle East. Throughout the World War-ll he fully participated in the war wherever he was posted till its end in 1945. In next year he was discharged from army and returned to his hometown Sialkot.
In Sialkot, there were two Tanga Stands named Adda Shahbaz Khan and Adda Pasroorian located Southern and Northern part of the city, respectively. Zafar Ahmed Butt who was still Jafra was the resident of area closer to Adda Pasroorian, so mostly he used to move around while dealing with passengers at this stand.
Early Career :
Zaffar Ahmed Butt was not satisfied with his way of life at Sialkot so for better living he moved to Karachi in 1950 and got himself settled in Ranchor Line (now known as Gazorabad) which was located on right hand while going to Pona High Tower, a bit ahead of Hassan Ali Hoti Market. There was a hotel named Bismilla Hotel on the ground floor of this building, he used to live in a flat room with Abdul Rehman on the top of this hotel. After reaching Karachi he started his work as building mason worker subsequently he had worked as white wash and painter as well. In short he never felt any hesitation in doing any petty job for his earning. There was Milk and Lassi shop run by a shopkeeper from Sialkot situated at outer of a coil hardware building before the construction of Qaiser cinema, so Zafar Ahmed Butt during his leisure time used to come here very frequently as being Sialkoti and spent hours and hours there on the benches of said shop.
As a Actor :
Because of his personality and being in cinema line everyone started boosting him to join film line as an actor Zafar liked this idea and started working for its implications while visiting film studios and meeting film making related personalities. Finally Zafar Ahmed Butt was able to get himself inducted in the cast of film Karnama and right from the first film he was renamed as Sawan, in the same film popular ramp of that time Kalwati also was playing the main role but film took lot of time in its making and then its released. Meantime some journalist suggested Zafar Butt that as he was having a body appearance and accent that was more suitable for Punjabi films therefore go to Lahore film industry and check his luck there as in those days Lahore was main station for producing the Punjabi films. Zaffar Butt who was now Sawan liked this idea and soon after moved to Lahore and as luck would have it was able to get a minor role in Agha Hussaini’s film Sola Aaney.
On the release of film Sola Aaney, Sawan was very excited and indeed was able to pick by the film gores so he was offered a bit strong role in Suraj Mukh, on its release this film established him as an actor and then there was no looking back. He appeared in constantly in a sound villain and then character roles especially in Punjabi Films like Wali Ehed, Anparh, Gonga, Lachhi, Khazanchi, Zaildar, Meri Ghairat Teri Izat, Pind Daleran Da, Baba Dina, So Din Chor Da, Charda Souraj, Khan Chacha, Jigri Yar, Yar Dost, Nizam Lohar, Sahil, Punj Darya, Mera Veer, Mera Babul, Neeli Bar, Harfun Moula, Jani Dushman, Burma Road, Khon e Nahaq, Pagri Sanbhal Jatta, Anwara , Akbara, Sikandara, Challenge, Sajan Piyara, Gehra Daagh, Shero, Kubra Ashiq, Ishq Mera Naa, Wichhora, Morcha, Budha Sher, Zulam Kade Nai Phal da, Dharti De Lal, Jigar Da Tukra, Saza e Mout, Langotia, Bagro etc His most famous film is Pehalwan Ji In London . until the decline of Punjabi cinema till end nineties.
Famous Films :
- Pehalwan Ji In London
- Khan Chacha
- Zaildar
- Maan te Mama
- Charhda Suraj
- Punj Darya
- Anwara
- Nizam Lohar
Death :
During his last spell of life with his age he was almost without any permanent work which affected his health as well so finally he died on July 6, 1998.
Thanks for the information.
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