FilmIndia (Jan-Nov 1942)

FILMINDIA license and feeling very dejected he was idling near Bori Bunder when he met a boy (the son of an Army captain) with whom he used to play as a child in Jubbulpore. The boy, John, was delighted to meet his old playmate again and on hearing that Yakub had no work he tock him home with him. There John persuaded his father to give Yakub a job and so it happened that Yakub travelled all over the continent with the family when they went abroad. He enjoyed his stay in Europe bui does not want to return there. He returned to India in 1922 and chose Calcutta as the next city to seek his fortune in. Here he joined the American Express Co. where he was employed as a guide to tourists. Now Yakub knew only a few English words so this was hardly a suitable job for him but he says: "one of the other guides spoke English well so I used to follow him around, trying to look wise and occasionally saying "yes" and "no" so that 1 gave the impression that I knew an awful lot." We have no doubt that eventually Yakub would have become invaluable to the A.E. Co. as a guide but he did not have time to prove his worth because he was given the sack. Come closer and we'll whisper why: Yakub fell heavily for the Western charms of one of the lady tourists and his feelings were reciprocated but unfortunately for him his employers did not look with favour on the little romance and he was asked to go. YAKUB JOINS THE FILMS So Yakub went back to his native place, Jubbulpore for a period and, Designing women can roll their eyw till Ihey pop out on his return to Bombay, he landed a job with another theatrical company as a property master. It was his job to see the costumes and scenery in order, but the familiar excitement of the stage roused the actor in him and in 1924 he joined the Sharda Film Co. where he made 50 silent pictures. Next Yakub joined the Imperial Film Company which was then the biggest film company in existence. It was here that he started playing villainous roles. In 1930 he joined Sagar's where he continued his career of villainy. On the road again — the old tramps — Damuanna and Jog — in "State Guests", a Navyug picture. Yakub's first talkie was "Romantic Prince" in which he worked with the famous actress Zubeida. But don't imagine that he was the fellow who held her hand and gazed fondly into the heroine's eyes. No, Yakub was the big bad man again. He has occasionally played the hero but personally we like him better when he is tough. Yakub is a Mohammedan as far as his religion is concerned but he doesn't agree with people who are always emphasising the barriers February 1942 between Hindus and Mahomedans. He has in his film career played the parts of almost all the Hindu gods, proving that there is no communal feeling in art. Yakub has directed and acted in two pictures. They are "Lion of Sagar" and "Her Last Desire". He has worked in almost all the big pictures of all the big companies, and has never failed to give a superb performance. His work in "Swami" is simply marvellous. You know he is a villain and yet there is something human in him which you can't help liking. He is free-lancing now and earns between Rs. 2500/ and Rs. 3000/a month. He is so much in demand that some times he works in three pictures simultaneously. TURNS A NEW LEAF He puts his success down to the new good life he is leading. But that is a story by itself which you should know about. Four years ago Yakub was earning Rs. 700/ a month and believed in enjoying all the worldly pleasure. He used to smoke, drink, dissipate and do all the things you would expect a playbcy to do. Then one day he met a religious teacher from Lahore, in Bombay and his whole life was changed. The Guru's name is Pir Ghulam Sarwar and Yakub was so impressed by him that he became his ardent disciple. He gave A woman's place is in the home. 60