Muhammad Ali

LAHORE: Acting legend Muhammad Ali passed away here around 1.30 pm on Sunday (19th March 2006), leaving the legacy of an illustrious career in Pakistani filmdom.

The 69-year-old star, who started his career as a radio broadcaster in the mid-50s, died of cardiac arrest at his house, leaving his wife Zeba and daughter Samina to mourn his death. His Namaz-e-Jenaza will be offered on Tuesday at the Liberty Park.

A large number of his fans, Lollywood stars and other personalities reached his house soon after his death. Regarded as an institution among the film circles, Ali started his career as a broadcaster from Radio Pakistan Hyderabad in the mid-50s. He was introduced as a villain in a Karachi-made film Chiragh Jalta Raha in 1962. This also happened to be the first film of its director, Fazli, as well as stars Zeba, Deeba and Kamal Irani.

Later in 1964, Ali acted the hero of Shararat. Known as the King of Emotions, he became a superstar after the release of his movie Aag ka Darya and then remained on top during the next 10 years. He will be remembered for his emotional acting and the best dialogue delivery. Khamosh Raho, Insaan aur Admi, Insaaf aur Qanoon, Salakhen and Doorian were some of his all-time best films.

The winner of the 7th Nigar Awards for best actor, another for best supporting actor and one special award for the film Dooriyaan, Ali married renowned actress Zeba in 1968. His only daughter Samina was from Zeba's previous marriage with actor Lala Sudhir. He also served as a cultural adviser to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. He also remained associated with the construction business for many years.

Ali got the first Nigar Award in 1964 for best supporting actor in the film Khamosh Raho. He also received the award for best actor in director Hasan Tariq's film Kaneez in 1965, director Humayun Mirza's film Aag ka darya in 1966, director Laeeq Akhtar's film Saiqa in 1968, director Hasan Tariq's film Wehshi in 1971, director Ali Sufyan Aafaqi's film Aas in 1973, director Shabab Kiranvi's film Aaena aur soorat in 1974, director Shabab Kiranvi's film Insaan aur Aadmi in 1975, director Masood Pervez's film Haidar Ali in 1978, and director Hasan Askari's film Dooriyan (special award) in 1984.

Loyalty, empathy, honesty and humility were his hallmarks, said Javed Sheikh while talking with journalists at Ali's house. He said that besides a great actor Ali was also well known for his social services.

"Known in the film circle for his command as a passionate actor, he felt at ease in dramatic situations as well," said Lollywood star Reema. She said the industry would miss this versatile actor who worked with almost all successful directors of the Pakistan film industry.

MNA Mian Munir said actors like Ali are national assets. He said Ali has left a very bright way to be followed by young actors. Ghulam Mohiuddin said the entire film industry was feeling sad over the sad demise of the legendry actor. He said Ali was a great actor as well as a great human being.

"Ali was living in an era where social obligations were preferred over financial stakes and he made overtures through films to highlight social ills and national issues," said Ajab Gul. "He had a masculine resonant voice and with his individual dialogue delivery he performed quite a few memorable characters. Whichever film he performed in, his suggestions and advice would always be sought by the writing department. He had a command over his subjects and field," said Nisho.

"He lit the torch of art films in the days of commercialism. Ali belonged to the superior rank of actors, as he did not bow before commercialisation," said Arif Lohar. Pakistan People's Party Punjab President Qasim Zia, PPPP Information Secretary Mohammad Naved Ch, drama writer and PPP leader Malik Ahsan Ganjiyal, Censor Board member Syed Agha Mujtaba, TV actor Tasawar Ali Mir, Sajjad Gul, Shahzad Gul, Fakhar Imam, Sherry Malik, Sohail Butt, Raja Riaz, Tajdar Alam, Bari Malik, Sangeeta, Saood and others condoled with his family.

PML President Ch Shujaat Hussain and Punjab Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi also expressed grief over Ali's death. In their condolence messages to his widow, they paid tributes to the late actor for his services. They also prayed to Allah Almighty to rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant courage to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss.

Agencies add: President Gen Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz have expressed profound sorrow over the death of Muhammad Ali. In their condolence messages to the bereaved family, the President and the PM said Pakistan had lost a great actor.

Expressing sorrow over the death, Punjab Governor Khalid Maqbool eulogised Ali's great services for social welfare and said Ali-Zeb Foundation and Blood Transfusion Centre at Faisalabad established by the legendry actor were serving the ailing humanity.


	\| Back \| LAHORE: Acting legend Muhammad Ali passed away here around 1.30 pm on Sunday (19th March 2006), leaving the legacy of an illustrious career in Pakistani filmdom. The 69-year-old star, who started his career as a radio broadcaster in the mid-50s, died of cardiac arrest at his house, leaving his wife Zeba and daughter Samina to mourn his death. His Namaz-e-Jenaza will be offered on Tuesday at the Liberty Park. A large number of his fans, Lollywood stars and other personalities reached his house soon after his death. Regarded as an institution among the film circles, Ali started his career as a broadcaster from Radio Pakistan Hyderabad in the mid-50s. He was introduced as a villain in a Karachi-made film Chiragh Jalta Raha in 1962. This also happened to be the first film of its director, Fazli, as well as stars Zeba, Deeba and Kamal Irani. Later in 1964, Ali acted the hero of Shararat. Known as the King of Emotions, he became a superstar after the release of his movie Aag ka Darya and then remained on top during the next 10 years. He will be remembered for his emotional acting and the best dialogue delivery. Khamosh Raho, Insaan aur Admi, Insaaf aur Qanoon, Salakhen and Doorian were some of his all-time best films. The winner of the 7th Nigar Awards for best actor, another for best supporting actor and one special award for the film Dooriyaan, Ali married renowned actress Zeba in 1968. His only daughter Samina was from Zeba's previous marriage with actor Lala Sudhir. He also served as a cultural adviser to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. He also remained associated with the construction business for many years. Ali got the first Nigar Award in 1964 for best supporting actor in the film Khamosh Raho. He also received the award for best actor in director Hasan Tariq's film Kaneez in 1965, director Humayun Mirza's film Aag ka darya in 1966, director Laeeq Akhtar's film Saiqa in 1968, director Hasan Tariq's film Wehshi in 1971, director Ali Sufyan Aafaqi's film Aas in 1973, director Shabab Kiranvi's film Aaena aur soorat in 1974, director Shabab Kiranvi's film Insaan aur Aadmi in 1975, director Masood Pervez's film Haidar Ali in 1978, and director Hasan Askari's film Dooriyan (special award) in 1984. Loyalty, empathy, honesty and humility were his hallmarks, said Javed Sheikh while talking with journalists at Ali's house. He said that besides a great actor Ali was also well known for his social services. "Known in the film circle for his command as a passionate actor, he felt at ease in dramatic situations as well," said Lollywood star Reema. She said the industry would miss this versatile actor who worked with almost all successful directors of the Pakistan film industry. MNA Mian Munir said actors like Ali are national assets. He said Ali has left a very bright way to be followed by young actors. Ghulam Mohiuddin said the entire film industry was feeling sad over the sad demise of the legendry actor. He said Ali was a great actor as well as a great human being. "Ali was living in an era where social obligations were preferred over financial stakes and he made overtures through films to highlight social ills and national issues," said Ajab Gul. "He had a masculine resonant voice and with his individual dialogue delivery he performed quite a few memorable characters. Whichever film he performed in, his suggestions and advice would always be sought by the writing department. He had a command over his subjects and field," said Nisho. "He lit the torch of art films in the days of commercialism. Ali belonged to the superior rank of actors, as he did not bow before commercialisation," said Arif Lohar. Pakistan People's Party Punjab President Qasim Zia, PPPP Information Secretary Mohammad Naved Ch, drama writer and PPP leader Malik Ahsan Ganjiyal, Censor Board member Syed Agha Mujtaba, TV actor Tasawar Ali Mir, Sajjad Gul, Shahzad Gul, Fakhar Imam, Sherry Malik, Sohail Butt, Raja Riaz, Tajdar Alam, Bari Malik, Sangeeta, Saood and others condoled with his family. PML President Ch Shujaat Hussain and Punjab Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi also expressed grief over Ali's death. In their condolence messages to his widow, they paid tributes to the late actor for his services. They also prayed to Allah Almighty to rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant courage to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss. Agencies add: President Gen Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz have expressed profound sorrow over the death of Muhammad Ali. In their condolence messages to the bereaved family, the President and the PM said Pakistan had lost a great actor. Expressing sorrow over the death, Punjab Governor Khalid Maqbool eulogised Ali's great services for social welfare and said Ali-Zeb Foundation and Blood Transfusion Centre at Faisalabad established by the legendry actor were serving the ailing humanity.