Anwar Iqbal

Anwar Iqbal Baloch (Urdu: انور اقبال‎) is a veteran Pakistani television actor and director,^[1][2] who got fame with the hit Pakistani drama series "Shama" and later with the historic epic series "Akhri Chattan" (آخری چٹان)^[3] by Naseem Hijazi in the early 80's. He is a son of a well-known politician from Balochistan, Mr. Haji Muhammed Iqbal Baloch, who played prominent role in the independence of Pakistan as well as in highlighting the importance of "Gawadar" port to the Pakistani government.^[4] He is credited with the production of the first Balochi feature film, Hammal o Mahganj in Pakistan.^[5]

Iqbal completed his Masters from University of Karachi and commenced his career in 1976 with the production (and acting in) "Hammal o Mahganj". He went on to produce three years later the Sindhi drama "Dosten jo Piar", but he got his real breakthrough with the popular family drama series Shama, which became a widespread success and household name through-out the nation in late 70's and early 80's. He cites his initial success on the silver screen as a result of encouragement by the famous Pakistani writer Fatima Surayya Bajia and veteran director and producer Qasim Jalali.^[6] He rapidly emerged as a prominent actor with his memorable role in Shama as "Nana ki Jan Qamru (The beloved grandson of Qamar)". His debut as a director began with the Drama "Ishq Pecha" in 1984. Since then, he has acted in countless Urdu and Sindhi drama's and directed a few. He is also a popular teacher, teaching at a private school and working with a private TV channel.

He is particularly noted for his historic epic roles, for which he has been appreciated by, among others, the veteran PTV director Agha Nasir for his impressive depiction of the historic character "Shiwani Khan (Muhammad Shaybani" in the PTV Series "Babur" (life story of the first Mogul emperor Babur).^[7]

Notable TV Series/Dramas

• Shama
• Akhri Chattan ^[8]
• Babur
• Ishq Pecha
• Dosten jo piar
• Pul Siraat

References