Inayat Hussain Bhatti (Hussain Aslam Bhatti) – Biography
Early Life & Education
- Born: January 12, 1928, in Gujrat, Punjab (now Pakistan)
- Moved to Lahore in December 1948 intending to study law at Zamindar College, but soon shifted to performance arts through stage productions and radio programs
- Began training under Master Niaz Hussain Shami at Radio Pakistan Lahore, marking the start of his musical journey
Rise to Stardom
- Gained early fame singing for composer Ghulam Ahmed Chishti, recording the Punjabi hit “Aakhiyan Laanveen Naan” for the film Pheray (1949)
- Cast in the lead role of the Punjabi folktale film Heer (1955), further solidifying his celebrity status
Artistic Versatility
- A true polymath: excelled as a playback singer, actor, producer, director, scriptwriter, columnist, religious scholar, and social worker
- Recorded around 2,500 songs for nearly 500 films across Urdu, Punjabi, Sindhi, Bengali, and Saraiki languages
- Founded Bhatti Pictures, producing and starring in films like Chann Makhna, Sajan Pyara, Jind Jan, Ishq Diwana, which addressed social issues and became box‑office hits in the 1960s–1970s
Cultural Impact
- His theatre troupe popularized Sufi poetry, performing works by Waris Shah, Bulleh Shah, and Mian Muhammad Bakhsh across Punjab’s rural heartlands in the 1960s–1970s
Public Service & Media
- Wrote the Urdu newspaper column “Challenge”, critiquing social issues without fear
- Hosted TV programs like Bhatti Da Dayrah and Ujala on PTV, focusing on Sufi saints and Islamic spirituality
- Built and donated a tuberculosis ward at Gulab Devi Hospital, Lahore, in honor of his mother, and continued supporting it throughout his life
Awards & Recognition
- Received the Nigar Lifetime Achievement Award, numerous honors from the Pakistan Peoples Party, Pakistan Army, and various cultural organizations
- Unique status as the only non‑medical person awarded Medical College Color by Pakistan Medical Association (1974) for his philanthropy
Later Years & Legacy
- Suffered a debilitating paralysis attack in 1997, which confined him to bed and impaired his speech for his final years (
- Passed away on May 31, 1999, at age 71 in Gujrat, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy in music, cinema, and culture
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Inayat Hussain Bhatti |
| Born | January 12, 1928, Gujrat, Punjab |
| Died | May 31, 1999 |
| Professions | Singer, actor, producer, director, writer, social activist |
| Film Contributions | ~500 films, 2,500+ songs, produced 30 films |
| Awards | Nigar Lifetime Achievement, Medical College Color, PPP & Army honors |
| Cultural Influence | Promoted Punjabi literature and Sufi heritage through cinema & theatre |
Inayat Hussain Bhatti’s remarkable work transcended entertainment—he championed Punjabi culture, uplifted social causes, and bridged artistic expression with spiritual depth. His multifaceted contributions continue to resonate in Pakistan’s musical and cinematic history.