Moin Akhter

Moin Akhtar (Urdu: معین اختر‎, also spelled as, Moeen Akhtar; 24 December 1950 – 22 April 2011)^[1] was a Pakistani television, film and stage actor, as well as a humorist, comedian, impersonator, and a host. He was also a play writer, singer, film director and a producer.^[2]

Early life

Akhtar was born in Karachi to Urdu speaking parents migrated from Mumbai India,^[3] was highly dynamic and versatile performer, he made his debut for television on 6 September 1966, in a variety show held on PTV to celebrate the first defense day of Pakistan. Since then, he has performed several roles in TV plays/shows, later making a team with Anwar Maqsood and Bushra Ansari.^[4]

He was beloved for providing humor for people of all ages, and with an etiquette that remains unmatched. His attempts to avoid vulgarity in his humor rendered him a favorite amongst family audiences. Akhtar was fluent in several languages, including English, Bengali, Sindhi, Punjabi, Memon, Pashto, Gujarati and Urdu. He performed not only in Pakistan but played in several stage shows like Bakra Qiston Pe and Buddha Ghar Pe Hai with Umer Sharif in India too.^[5]

Career

Moin Akhtar rose to the national spotlight and gathered critical acclaim for his performance in the drama Rosy /Rozy (روزی), in which he played the role of a female TV artist. Rozy was an Urdu adaptation of Hollywood movie Tootsie starring Dustin Hoffman.^[6] Moreover, in a talk-show namely Loose Talk, which began in 2005 on ARY Digital, he appeared as a different character in each and every of over 400 episodes interviewed by Anwar Maqsood, the writer and the host of the program. Akhter also briefly hosted the game show Kya Aap Banaingay Crorepati?, the Pakistani version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire?.

He was awarded honorary citizenship of Dallas in 1996 for his achievements.^[7] He is also listed among Amazing Pakistanis of all time.^[8]

Television Drama serials

The most popular shows of Moin Akhtar include Rozi, Loose Talk and Eid Train.^[9] Here is a list of serials, sitcoms and talk-shows Moin Akhtar has done.

• Rozi
• Mirza Aur Hameed
• Hello Hello
• Intezar Farmaye
• Dollar Man
• Makaan No 47
• Half Plate
• Family-93
• Eid Train
• Bandar Road Se Kemari
• Such Much
• Aangan Tehra
• Baby
• Rafta Rafta
• Loose Talk
• Guum
• Studio 2 1/2
• Studio 2 3/4
• Hariyale Banney
• Show Time
• Such Much
• Such Much Part 2
• Kuch Kuch Such Much
• Such Much Ki Eid
• Such Much Ka Election
• Char Bees
• Nokar Key Agey Chaaker
• Yes Sir No Sir

Host

He was the host of the show in which given below dignitaries were invited.

• King Husain of Jordan was invited.
• The Prime Minister of Gambia, Dawoodi Al-Joza, was invited.
• President Zia-ul-Haq was invited.
• Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was invited.
• President General Yahya Khan was invited.
• President Ghulam Ishaq Khan was invited.
• President Pervez Musharaf was invited and he mimicked the president in his presence.
• Legendary Indian film actor Dilip Kumar was invited.

Television shows

• Fifty Fifty (Ptv)
• Show Sha (Ptv)
• Showtime (Ptv)
• Studio Dhhai (Ptv)
• Studio Pone Teen (Ptv)
• Yes Sir No Sir (Ptv)
• Moin Akhter Show (Ptv)
• Char Bees (NTM)
• Loose Talk (ARY Digital)
• Choun Chan Ahoo (Ptv)

Songs and albums

Album - Tera Dil Bhi Yun Hi Tadpe

• "Chhorr Ke Jaane Wale"
• "Choat Jigar Pe Khai Hai"
• "Ro-Ro Ke De Raha Hai"
• "Tera Dil Bhi Yun Hi Tadpe"
• "Dard Hi Sirf Dil Ko Mila"
• "Dil Ro Raha Hai"
• "Hoten Hai Bewafa"

Death

He died on 22 April 2011 at about 6:15pm in Karachi after suffering from a heart attack.^[1] He is survived by his wife, three daughters and two sons.^[10] The funeral prayers of Moin Akhtar were offered in Tauheed Masjid near his residence. Thousands of people attended the funeral prayer which was led by Junaid Jamshed.^[11] The world famous wax museum Madame Tussauds has expressed its wish to include a statue of Moin Akhtar in their London museum.^[12] If made, it will be the first of its kind for any Pakistani entertainer.

References