Her son, film star Shaan Shahid, announced her demise. "It is with the saddest of heart I share the departure of my mother as she has gone to her creator," he wrote on Twitter.Born Cynthia Alexander Fernandes, Neelo had the distinction of being the only Pakistani heroine to have worked in a major Hollywood movie, Bhowani Junction (starring Ava Gardner and Stewart Granger), which incidentally also marked her film debut.
She then joined Pakistani films as an 'extra', worked hard and graduated to doing second lead roles and ultimately rose to the position of leading lady by the sheer dint of her immense talent.
Riaz Shahid, the legendary writer known for meaningful concepts and patriotic films, married Neelo under circumstances no less intense than a Riaz Shahid film.In March 1965, the Shah of Iran was on an official visit to West Pakistan. The Nawab of Kalabagh, the then Governor, asked Neelo — who was then at the height of her popularity — to dance before the Shah.
Allegedly, armed persons were even sent to her home to abduct her, yet she resisted and attempted suicide on the way to the Governor’s House. She was taken to a hospital where doctors managed to save her life. The film fraternity got involved and shut down work at the film studios for a day while the media gave the incident extensive coverage.
Leftist poet Habib Jalib immortalised the incident in his poem:
Too ke nawaqif-i-aadab-i-shahenshahi thee
Raqs zanjeer pehen kar bhee kiya jata hai
Impressed by her bravery, Riaz proposed to Neelo and they got married in 1965 after she converted to Islam and changed her name to Abida Riaz. The husband-wife duo made a film Zarqa on the Palestinian issue in 1969, where Riaz used Habib Jalib’s poem, showing an ‘angraiz’ (foreigner) asking the leading lady (played by Neelo) to dance against her will.
Zarqa went on to become Pakistan's first diamond jubilee film and Neelo's role in it proved to be her crowning glory. The film is regarded as one of the finest achievements of Pakistan's cinema history.
Riaz and Abida even named their first born Zarqa. Riaz died of blood cancer in October 1972.Neelo struggled from minor and side roles to heroine roles by her consistency and exhibiting versatile acting skills. Her films till 1960 were 1957: Yakke Wali, 1957: Aankh Ka Nashah, 1958: Akhri Nishan, 1958: Changez Khan, 1958: Darbar, 1958: Jan-e-Bahar, 1958: Jatti, 1958: Kachian Kaliyan, 1958: Mumtaz, 1958: Nayi Larki, 1958: Neya Daur, 1958: Sheikh Chilli, 1958: Zehr-e-Ishq, 1959: Koel, 1959: Lalkaar, 1959: Lukkan Mitti. 1959: Neend, 1959: Shama, 1959: Shera, 1959: Sola Aanay, 1959: Suchhey Moti, 1959: Saathi, 1959: Yaar Beli, 1960: Alladin Ka Beta, 1960: Ayaz, 1960: Insaaf, 1960: Khyber Mail, 1960: Manzil, 1960: Neelofar, 1960: Shehzadi and 1960: Street 77. In all her roles she left a mark whether in minor or in lead roles.Neelo’s films from 1961 onwards were 1961: Bara Bajje, 1961: Subha Kahin Sham Kahin, 1962: Azra, 1962: Banjaran, 1962: Barsaat Main. 1962: Darwaza, 1962: Dosheeza, 1962: Husn-o-Ishq, 1962: Unche Mahal, 1963: Barat, 1963: Daaman, 1963: Ishq Par Zor Nahin, 1963: Kala Aadmi, 1963: Mouj Mela, 1963: Qatal Kei Baad, 1963: Shikwa, 1963: Aman, 1964: Beti, 1964: Daachi, 1964: Gehra Daagh, 1964: Jugni, 1964: Khyber Pass, 1964: Mera Mahi, 1964: Nehle Peh Dehla, 1964: Sher Di Bachi, 1965: Faraib, 1965: Jeedar, 1965: Raqqasa, 1966: Abba Jee, 1966: Ann Parh, 1966: Badnaam, 1966: Chughalkhor, 1966: Laado, 1966: Mr. Allah Ditta, 1966: Naghma-e-Sehra, 1966: Nizam Lohar, 1966: Payal Ki Jhankar, 1967: Chattan, 1967: Dil Da Jani, 1967: Neeli Baar, 1967: Ravi Paar, 1967: Sham Savera, 1967: Yaar Maar, 1968: Jag Beeti, 1968: Lala Rukh, 1968: Paristan, 1968: Wohti, 1969: Aukha Jatt, 1969: Zarqa, 1971: Karishma, 1974: Khatarnaak, 1975: Athra, 1975: Balwant Kaur, 1975: Dhan Jigra Maa Da, 1975: Heera Phumman, 1975: Izzat, 1975: Jailor Tei Qaidi, 1975: Mera Naa Patey Khan, 1975: Rajjo, 1975: Sir Da Badla, 1975: Sultana Daku, 1975: Watan Iman, 1976: Ayyash, 1976: Gangu Puttar Maa Da, 1976: Jatt Kurrian Taun Darda, 1976: Khaufnaak, 1976: Kil Kil Mera Naa, 1976: Pindiwal, 1976: Wardat, 1977: Ajj Dian Kurrian, 1977: Akhri Goli, 1977: Danka, 1977: Jurm Main Keeta Si, 1977: Malikzada, 1977: Mere Badshah, 1977: Sadqay Teri Mout Tun, 1977: Tera Vi Jawab Nahin, 1978: Chamman Khan, 1978: Gharib Da Baal, 1978: Ghunda, 1978: Haidar Daler, 1978: Inqalab, 1978: Mazi, Haal Aur Mustaqbil, 1978: Nazrana, 1978: Sharif Shehri, 1978: Tax, 1979: General Bakht Khan, 1979: Mout Meri Zindagi, 1979: Order, 1980: Chhotay Nawab, 1980: Heera Puttar, 1982: Khatra 440, 1989: Barood Ki Chhaon, 1990: Bulandi, 1990: Jur’at and 2013: Waar.
