Sultan Rahi

Life and career

Rahi was born in Uttar Pradesh to an Arain tribe during the British Raj. After the independence of Pakistan in 1947 he moved to Gujranwala, Punjab, Pakistan.

Rahi performed in the stage drama Nadir Shah Durrani in 1955.

He begin his film career in 1959 as a guest actor in the film Baghi. Maula Jatt was released on 11 February 1979 which became his most successful Pakistani film. His other works include Behram Daku (1980), Sher Khan (1981), Sala Sahib and Ghulami (1985).

Rahi appeared in key roles in over 535 films, and was the highest paid Pakistani actor.

On 9 January 1996 he was shot and killed on the main highway in Pakistan known as Grand Trunk Road, near Samanabad Chungi close to Gujranwala. Rahi was on the way from Islamabad to his hometown Lahore with a friend Ahsan — a film director, when late at night his car’s tyre deflated near Samanabad Chungi. They were compelled to stop to change the wheel of the car. Taking advantage of the darkness and deserted surroundings, some bandits approached the vehicle and tried to rob them. When Rahi began resisting, they opened fire, killing him on the spot and injuring his friend.