Images

Moin Akhtar's peers pay tribute to his talent

Moin Akhtar's peers pay tribute to his talent

Today is the iconic comedian's ninth death anniversary
Updated 22 Apr, 2020

Today marks the ninth death anniversary of the multifaceted actor and comedian Moin Akhtar, whose roles still resonate deeply with people.

Born on December 24, 1950, Moin Akhtar entered the entertainment industry in 1966 when his parody performance as popular actor Muhammad Ali shot him into the limelight.

After this there was no stopping Akhtar. His long-standing double act with writer Anwar Maqsood made him an icon, and when Bushra Ansari joined them the resulting comedy was matchless.

Moin Akhtar acts in a play.— Courtesy photo
Moin Akhtar acts in a play.— Courtesy photo

Talking to Images, actor Arshad Mehmood said of Moin Akhtar: “I knew him since a long time and this would be enough to say that he was indeed a huge artist but he was not just a great artist, he was a far greater human being.”

Acclaimed actor Samina Peerzada also shared her memories with the late comedian: “I have worked with Moin in both theatre and TV and I had an amazing time with him. He was truly an icon, a legend. There was nobody like him and there will be no one like him. I truly miss him,” she said.

"He was an extremely funny and he would always have a prank up his sleeve. Ullu bohat banatay thay, and he would pull it in such a serious way that anyone would fall for it," she added.

In an earlier interview with Dawn.com, Anwar Maqsood remembered him as the ‘best star in a night sky’:

“I have never seen such a professional yet such a careless person in my life,” he said.

Reminiscing about him, the writer known for his powerful satire had said that no actor could have done what Moin did for him.

“There are many good actors in India and Pakistan. But I couldn’t find an actor like Moin, neither in Pakistan nor in India.”

Veteran actor Qazi Wajid also echoed similar thoughts in the same interview. For him, Moin Akhtar was an extremely humble man who never addressed him by taking his name. As for his skills, Qazi Wajid said: “He was a master performer.”

His adaptability was undoubtedly his greatest strength: from speaking fluent Urdu to English, Bengali, Hindi, Pashto, Sindhi or Punjabi, Moin Akhtar could become anyone he willed: he was a perfect behroopiya, an impersonator.

His acts were not only lauded in Pakistan but he was admired in India as well by the likes of Dilip Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan.

Moin Akhtar with Dilip Kumar.— Photo courtesy: pak101
Moin Akhtar with Dilip Kumar.— Photo courtesy: pak101

He is famous for his impeccable performance in shows like Rozi, Half-Plate, and Family 93. His theatre performance with Omer Sharif in Bakra Qiston Par and Buddha Ghar Pe Hai is also remembered as one of the best stage-shows, as the genre has seen a decline in recent years.

Moin Akhtar with actor Zeba Shehnaz—Courtesy photo
Moin Akhtar with actor Zeba Shehnaz—Courtesy photo

He was last seen making others chuckle in the popular show Loose-Talk which saw faux interviews of Moin Akhtar by Anwar Maqsood as he pulled on innumerable roles ranging from a labourer, politician, transvestite and even a dictator. It was Loose-Talk which made sure that the newer generation knew the art of being Moin Akhtar.

Along with many accolades, he was conferred the Pride of Performance in 2012.

Following a cardiac arrest, Moin Akhtar passed away on April 22 2011 in his hometown, Karachi.


This article was originally published in 2015

Comments

Fareedm Dec 24, 2018 02:32pm
What a legend - he will always be missed.
Recommend
Human first Dec 24, 2018 04:02pm
Rare gem..
Recommend
Shahji Dec 24, 2018 04:36pm
He was on the top of the "Art of Comedy". But Moin Akhtar was still very civilized and well mannered .Never a vulgar or dirty joke. Never asked to spread the circle ,always stayed well with in the circle. I can watch all his performances sitting with my children. That is "Unique , absolutely Unique".
Recommend
Talha Dec 24, 2018 04:52pm
Amazing talent, wonderful person, consistency in diversity Moeen Akhtar ..... an amazing Pakistani artist extraordinaire
Recommend
sk Dec 24, 2018 08:33pm
A rare gifted artist. Popular and admired in India also.
Recommend
Kyoorius Dec 25, 2018 12:06am
One of the great talents this sub continent has ever produced. Big Fan of his.
Recommend
dawn Dec 25, 2018 12:45am
Such personalities only appear once in a long while. Unrivalled was Moin.
Recommend
AZAM AKBAR Dec 25, 2018 04:12am
Moin Akhtar was a well talented artiste of Asia. He is unforgettable.
Recommend
Mukarram Shah Dec 25, 2018 10:31pm
Truely a legend with unmatched acting skills
Recommend
Syed A. Mateen Apr 22, 2020 06:34pm
Moin Akhtar was one of the greatest comedian and actor of his time. Even after 9 years of his death, majority of people have not forgotten him and would like to watch his plays again and again. It is unfortunate that we only remember such great comedians and actors of all times only on their death anniversaries and not on any other day. To pay tributes to such great comedians and actors the electronic media, more particularly, PTV, from time to time should put Moin Akhtar's plays on air so that people should watch these plays as a family in order to forget their worries in such a bad time when coronavirus have invaded the whole world and people are passing their time during the lock down period, the duration of which and its extensions thereof are not known to any one. People like Moin Akhtar are born once in life time who bring smile on the faces of many people but when they leave the world they are forgotten with the passage of time. May his soul rest in peace. Ameen.
Recommend
YSR Apr 22, 2020 06:37pm
Legend, always be missed. "Sir Moin Akhter"
Recommend
Bhaijan Apr 22, 2020 07:36pm
He was a staunch pure Pakistani, with high esteem of loyalty. And his jokes were always decent and upto Mark.
Recommend
Asfand Apr 22, 2020 07:50pm
No one to equal Moin Akhtar. The world will never see another like him.
Recommend
wasim Apr 22, 2020 08:10pm
Dignified comedy personified.
Recommend
Hamid Ali khakan Apr 22, 2020 08:44pm
And todays actors cant even speak proper urdu let alone speak any other language. Moin was a class act.
Recommend
balakrishna menon Apr 22, 2020 09:24pm
Just discovered him a few months back on youtube (loose Talk). What an incredible performer!
Recommend
Zak Apr 23, 2020 05:17am
He truly was, a great actor and a patriot.
Recommend
AZAM AKBAR Apr 26, 2020 06:59am
Moin Akhtar (deceased) and others of fine arts who left us are unforgettable.
Recommend
AZAM AKBAR Apr 26, 2020 07:01am
@Syed A. Mateen Mr. Syed A. Mateen, Yes, good suggestion by you.
Recommend