Veteran Pakistani filmmaker Syed Noor has revealed that he fell in love with actress Saima during the making of his blockbuster film Ghungat, a turning point both in his career and personal life.
In a candid interview, Syed Noor shared behind-the-scenes details of the 1996 hit, which originally had different casting plans. According to him, Ghungat was initially set to feature Neeli and Noman Ijaz in lead roles. However, after both backed out, the then-struggling actors Shaan and Saima were brought in. The decision, which faced resistance from producers and buyers, ultimately changed the trajectory of their careers.
“No one wanted to risk their investment on Shaan at that time. Even distributors asked for their money back when I insisted on casting him. But once the film released, both Shaan and Saima made a remarkable comeback,” Syed Noor recalled.
He further revealed that Neeli’s departure from the project opened the door for Saima, who not only won over audiences with her performance but also captured his heart. “It was during Ghungat that I fell in love with Saima,” he admitted, adding that the film marked the beginning of a personal bond that later culminated in marriage.
Syed Noor, who was first married to writer Rukhsana Noor, tied the knot with Saima in 1998 after the success of his film Choorian. However, he publicly acknowledged the marriage almost a decade later, in 2007.
Reflecting on those days, Syed Noor credited Ghungat for changing not only his professional journey but also his personal life, calling it one of the most defining projects of his career.
