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 YearTitleRole 1971 Darra Khyber Pashto1972 Mithra Shal Millan Sindhi Ilaqa Ghair Pashto Qasu Punjabi1973 Sehray Kay Phool Urdu Juwargar Pashto Anmol Urdu Albeli Urdu Tera Gham Rahay Salamat Urdu Nadiya Kay Paar Urdu1974 Samaj Urdu Dunya Gol Hay Urdu Main Bani Dulhan Urdu Nadra Punjabi Subah Ka Tara Urdu Manji Kithay Dahvan Punjabi Parda Na Uthao Urdu Noukar Wohti Da Punjabi Shikar Urdu Ghairat Jo Saval Sindhi / Punjabi Laila Majnu Urdu Bhool Urdu1975 Saajan Rang Rangeela Urdu Haku Punjabi Baadal Aain Barsat Sindhi Rutt Ja Rishta Sindhi Mera Naa Patay Khan Punjabi Haar Geya Insan Urdu Aadi Mujrim Punjabi Jogi Punjabi Sindbad Urdu Baz-o-Shehbaz Pashto Zartaja Pashto Eisar Urdu Chhad Buray Di Yaari Punjabi Baghi Pashto Dharti Lal Kanwar Sindhi Palki Urdu Shaheed Punjabi Kochvan Pashto Dharti Dil Varan Ji Sindhi Ganvar Urdu Haivan Urdu Doghla Punjabi Sajjan Kamla Punjabi1976 Insan Aur Farishta Urdu Sanjhi Ghairat Yaran Di Punjabi Rastay Ka Pathar Urdu Koshish Urdu Anjaam Punjabi Maan Javani Da Punjabi Jor Barabar Da Punjabi Warrant Punjabi Surraya Bhopali Urdu Shera Tay Babbra Punjabi Ghairat Punjabi Nasheman Urdu Jatt Kurian Tun Darda Punjabi Mohabbat Aur Dosti Urdu Gama B.A. Punjabi Dharkan Urdu Javan Tay Medan Punjabi Da Inteqam Lumbay Pashto1977 2 Chor Punjabi 3 Badshah Punjabi Suha Jora Punjabi Aj Diyan Kurrian Punjabi Goonj Urdu1978 Millan Urdu Aag Aur Zindagi Urdu Barat Urdu Sharmili Urdu Sheeshay Ka Ghar Urdu Pagal Tay Pyar Punjabi Chaman Khan Punjabi Inqilab Urdu Akbar Amar Anthony Punjabi Ibrat Punjabi Ankhon Ankhon Mein Urdu Qayamat Urdu1979 Qasm Khoon Di Punjabi Paisa Bolta Hay Urdu Griftar Punjabi Main Nalaiq Aan Punjabi Pakeeza Urdu Neya Andaz Urdu Remand Punjabi Butt Bahadur Punjabi Wehshi Gujjar Punjabi Aap Say Kya Parda Urdu Qatil Tay Farishta Punjabi1980 Aakhri Nishan Punjabi Khandan Urdu Jeeru Badnam Punjabi Smuggler Urdu Barkat Majethia Punjabi Spen Stargay Pashto1981 Aakhri Nakha Pashto Ik Puttar Ik Veer Punjabi Laggan Urdu Dara Sikandar Punjabi Chan Suraj Punjabi Maula Jatt Tay Noori Natt Punjabi Tor Deyo Zanjeeran Punjabi Ghazab Pashto Notan Da Badshah Punjabi1982 Jeera Sher Punjabi Haidar Sultan Punjabi Aaj Aur Abhi Urdu Ik Doli Punjabi Da Uchey Khan Pashto Shera Punjabi Thori Si Bewafai Urdu1983 Deevangi Urdu Maang Meri Bhar Do Urdu Touba Pashto Nasoor Pashto 1986 Poti Ain Pag Pashto 1987 Ishtehari Mujrim Pashto 1989 Zarah Dushmani Pashto 1999 Chupkay Chupkay Urdu
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