Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar

Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar (Urdu: خلیل الرحمان قمر‎) is a Pakistani writer, director, Urdu poet, lyricist and occasional actor known for such dramas as Pyarey Afzal (2013), Sadqay Tumhare (2014) and most recently the top-rated Meray Paas Tum Ho (2019-2020), as well as the 2019 ISPR-produced film Kaaf Kangana.

Early life and career

Khalil ur Rehman Qamar was born in 1962 in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. He studied in a government high school in Shad Bagh, Lahore. He used to write in school too and did further studies in B.Com. MBA.

He started his TV drama career with Dastak Aur Darwaza and later produced a film Qarz (1997) which he also wrote. He also wrote the dialogues of Ghar Kab Aao Gay (2000), Tere Piyar MeinMukhra Chan VargaNikki Jai Haan but made his breakthrough with Boota from Toba Tek Singh (1999). Later, he used this style in his dramas Landa Bazar (2002) and Love, Life Aur Lahore.

Personal life

Khalil ur Rehman started his career in the National Bank of Pakistan but voluntarily retired as he wanted to pursue a writing career. Khalil married his first wife, Rubi Naz. Later Khalil ur Rehman married his second wife Rozina Qureshi, while being married to Rubi. Rozina is an actress & first wife of actor Faisal Qureshi. Khalil ur Rehman has a step daughter, Hanish Qureshi, from Rozina’s marriage to Faisal and has two children of his own with Rozina. His son Aabi Khan is an actor.

Controversies

In mass media and live television panel discussions relating to women’s rights issues, Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar supported conservative positions and ended up losing his cool and using gendered slurs.

On March 3, 2020, Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar appeared on a Pakistani talk show on Neo News to discuss the Aurat March. During the discussion, the Pakistani human rights activist Marvi Sirmed interrupted Qamar by saying “Mera Jism Meri Marzi” (meaning “My Body My Choice”), followed by Qamar calling her shameful and making derogatory remarks about Sirmed’s body. Agence France-Presse reported that Qamar said to Sirmed that “no one would even spit on your body” and that she was a “cheap woman” who should “shut up”. Qamar was heavily criticized by politicians and prominent figures, while Geo TV suspended his contract. Qamar said he was not stating anything, at the time of her speech, but she interrupted him.

Films

Year Film Writer Director Notes
1997 Qarz Yes No Also the producer
2005 Koi Tujh Sa Kahan Yes No
2010 Channa Sachi Muchi Dialogue No Also the lyricist for the film’s songs
2017 Punjab Nahi Jaungi Yes No
2019 Kaaf Kangana Yes Yes First feature film as director

Television

Year Title Actor Director Writer Notes
1995 Dastak aur Darwaza Yes Yes
1999 Boota from Toba Tek Singh Yes Yes Yes
2001 Chand Pur Ka Chandoo Yes Yes Yes
2002 Landa Bazar Yes Yes Yes
2005 Dil Hai Ke Diya Hai Yes Yes also the producer
2000 Tum Yehi Kehna also lyrics
2009 Dilli Ke Bankay Yes Yes Yes
2009 Jab Hatheli Par Chand Likhna
2010 Muhabbat Har Muhabbat Jeet also lyrics
2010 Uss Paar Dil Hai Ke Diya
2011 Phir Kab Milo Gay
2011 Anokhi also lyrics
2012 Adhoori Film Ki Poori Kahani also lyrics
2012 Beopaar
2012 Manjali
2012 Tumhain Kuch Yaad Hai Janan also lyrics
2012 Mein Mar Gai Shaukat Ali
2013 Bunty I Love You
2013 Love Life Aur Lahore also lyrics
2013 Pyarey Afzal Yes
2013 Mian Biwi minus Love
2014 Sadqay Tumhare Yes Based on his true love story with cousin
2015 Mera Naam Yousuf Hai Yes
2016 Unsuni Yes also lyrics
2016 Zara Yaad Kar Yes Also lyrics
2017 Mohabbat Tumse Nafrat Hai Yes also lyrics
2017 Tau Dil Ka Kia Hua Yes
2017 Laal Ishq Yes Sequel of Landa Bazaralso lyrics
2019 Meray Paas Tum Ho Yes also lyrics