Pakistani Cinema

Bayad-i-Moin Akhtar: A tribute to a legend

Posted: 23 Apr 2012 11:47 AM PDT

So much has happened in Pakistan since 2011, but there is one person who we still haven't managed to forget even after a year's passing — the great artist Moin Akhtar.

But the real devastation of this loss has been felt by his peers and his family; these were the people who loved him and worked with him for over three decades. To pay a tribute to his comic genius and his acting brilliance, many known names from the world of showbiz and entertainment turned up on Saturday for 'Bayad-i-Moin Akhtar', an event put together by the Karachi Film and TV Journalists Welfare Association in collaboration with Fun Rama Arts and Entertainment at City Auditorium in Karachi.

Breaking into the industry

Theatre director Furqan Haider recalled, "Akhtar started his career with theatre. He gave Karachi theatre its first commercially viable drama. One of his first dramas was presented at Lahore's Kinnaird College for Women. But soon after, he moved into hosting television shows as he realised that new trends were quickly setting in."

Just a comedian?

Regarding his artistry, veteran film actor Mustafa Qureshi said, "Calling him a comedian only would be a great travesty. He wasn't just a comedian but a true performer, an artist."

Friendships formed

Singer Saleem Javed recalled fondly, "I still remember that my first performance was in one of his shows. There is no doubt that he was a great artist, but having interacted with him, I know that he was an even better human being."

Generosity

Actor Shehzad Raza recalled that 25 years ago, Akhtar handed him an envelope with a sum of Rs11,000, a considerably large sum in those days, as a gift on the day of his marriage. What Akhtar might not have known when he was alive was that the money was a godsend for Raza as it tremendously helped him during his newly-married life.

A better place

Qureshi added, "I still can't believe he's left us. Without him, the world seems like a dark place, but we can be sure that Akhtar has now gone to a much better place."

International appeal

On his popularity with Pakistani expatriates abroad, his close friend Gohar Anjum said, "Take any part of the world, if there is even a single person who understands Urdu there, he will surely know, love and appreciate Moin."

A nation indebted

Producer Qasim Jalali said that Akhtar devoted his entire life to the field of arts. And that is a gift that can never be repaid and Pakistani audiences will forever remain indebted to him for his efforts.

Preserving his memory

Towards the end, Akhtar's son Mansoor Akhtar came on to the podium and said, "One year has gone by and we feel this loss every day. Although gestures like naming an auditorium, park or road in his name are appreciated, in order to really preserve his memory, it would be best to build a mosque in his name. Even better would be to pray for him. That's what he would have really wanted and asked for from his fans."

Published in The Express Tribune, April 24th, 2012.

After 14 years, Lollywood superstar Shabnam returns to Pakistan

Posted: 23 Apr 2012 11:44 AM PDT

After over a decade, famous silver screen actor Shabnam returned to Pakistan from Bangladesh on Monday night. She was warmly welcomed by hordes of excited fans and media personnel.

Shabnam, accompanied by her husband, renowned music composer Robin Ghosh, expressed her joy at coming back to the country that brought her fame. The couple, originally belonging to parts in former East Pakistan, had shifted to Bangladesh at the end of the 20th century.

"I'll try to meet everyone," the actor told the media on being asked whether she will meet her former colleagues in the country. She further expressed sorrow over the closure of Pakistani film studios.

When asked if she would consider working for Pakistani films again, Shabnam didn't sound too sure.

On the insistence of some media personnel, Shabnam sang a line from one of the songs filmed on her.

According to a report by Dawn, Shabnam is returning to the country to be a part of a show organised by Pakistan Television to honour the couple for their contribution to Pakistani films.

Published in Tribune 23rd April 2012

Shabnam, Robin Ghosh returning for a TV show

LAHORE: "I love the Pakistanis from whom I have won so much admiration as an actor," says famous film star Shabnam as the countdown to her much anticipated return to the city where she once lived and prospered begins.

Shabnam and her well-known husband, music composer Robin Ghosh, will arrive in Lahore on April 27 to take part in a show organised by the Pakistan Television.

"I am planning to meet people from the film industry," Shabnam, once the undisputed queen of Pakistani films, told Dawn by telephone from Dhaka.

"It's been 10 years since I last went to Lahore and Karachi on a personal visit."

The PTV is planning the event to honour the huge contribution Shabnam and Robin Ghosh made to the Pakistani film industry over long decades beginning in the 1960s.

Shabnam's was the longest reign for actor in Pakistan playing the traditional 'heroine' while Ghosh was famous for his melodious compositions drawing heavily, and for a soothing effect, on the rich Bengali music tradition. Hailing from the parts which later became Bangladesh, the couple settled down in Dhaka some years ago.

PTV producer Sajjad Ahmed tells Dawn that preparations are under way to make it a memorable event and a befitting curtain-raiser to a series of similar shows. "Programme director Shahid Iqbal Pasha and chief coordinator Khawaja Najam-ul-Hasan are putting in their best efforts to make this occasion an outstanding one."

There is a catch, however. Sajjad Ahmed confirms the evening is scheduled to be held in Dewan-e-Khas at Lahore Fort, which is a World Heritage site governed by special protection laws.

A Punjab Archeology Department official Afzal Khan says the space would be provided to PTV for the programme to be recorded on April 28 after the 'necessary' documentation.

He justified the permission for recording of this show saying it would not be a commercial programme and no audience would be allowed during its shooting. — Shoaib Ahmed

Published in Dawn News on 10th April 2012

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Monday, April 23, 2012