Movie still of Murad from film Samandar

Samandar (1968)

Samandar was released at a time when tensions between East and West Pakistan were escalating. Shabnam – one of the leading actresses from East Pakistan, appeared for the first time as the lead heroine in a West Pakistani film alongside actors Murad and Hanif. The story revolved around two best friends living in a fishing community who drift apart due to political ambition, mistrust and external interference. The film is seen as an allegory of the complex relations between East and West Pakistan. The movie aimed to revive love, peace and unity between the two separate parts of the country. The title song ‘Tera Mera Sathi Hai Samandar’ sung by Ahmed Rushdie, highlighted the sea as a symbol of unity between the two wings of the nation. The film was produced by Murad and received a lot of appreciation.