LAHORE: Many would find it hard to fathom but it has been ten years since Pakistani film icon Muhammad Ali bid us ado, leaving behind a legacy of work that is revered up till now. Not only is Ali still remembered for his phenomenal work in movies like Jaag Utha Insan and Khamosh Raho but the new trends he brought forth to the field of acting still carry much weight today. A prayer ceremony was held at Ali’s residence in Lahore on Saturday to commemorate his 10th death anniversary. Although the gathering was primarily restricted to his close friends and family, the occasion saw many of the late actor’s contemporaries come forth to pay their respects and speak of the indelible impact he has left on the local film industry. According to fellow actor Ghulam Mohiuddin, it was in drama acting that lay Ali’s forte. “Feelings and drama were the centre of his career; every such role that he performed will be remembered forever,” Mohiuddin told The Express Tribune.
“It is an honour for our country that Ali was from Pakistan, considering how popular his work was in India and how so many actors of that era were trying to emulate him,” he added.
Nisho Begum, another film actor, also praised the industrious work ethic that propelled Ali to stardom. “It’s difficult to describe him in words as he was a true legend and I worked with him quite a bit,” she shared. “He was a truly hardworking man whom I learnt a great deal from. He was always very punctual and ready to support you during shooting.”
Mohiuddin also praised the off-screen wonder that Ali was, calling him a great man. “Ali was a good human being. He was especially popular amongst the junior actors for he supported them immensely.”
Mohiuddin’s sentiments were echoed by actor Bahar Begum, who praised Ali’s uniqueness. “Ali was one amongst the most handsome heroes the Pakistani film industry has ever seen. There was just no alternative for him even in Bollywood,” said the beauty of the yesteryears. “He was a man of many different qualities, especially when it came to films. His work is like a library for our industry and especially, its newcomers.”
Ali’s wife Zeba also opened up on her time working and living with him, admitting that she still misses him a lot. “He was a great husband. There is no one else in our industry who can do justice to the types of roles Ali did,” she said. “Whatever role he took on, people always liked it. Although I miss him, his memories are my asset.”
Born in 1930 in Rampur, India, Ali began his career with Radio Pakistan in 1956. Director Fazal Ahmad Kareem introduced him to the film industry through the 1962 film, Chiragh Jalta Rahe, which was inaugurated by Fatima Jinnah. According to critics, his performance herein outpaced that of the protagonist’s, thereby sparking a new phase in Pakistani cinema.
Through the next two decades, he reportedly worked on hundreds of Urdu and Punjabi films of which Shararat, Tipu Sultan, Mohabbat, Tum Mile Pyaar Mila, Khamosh Raho and Jag Utha Insan became super hits. His impressive roster of co-stars includes the top crop of the 60s and 70s, such as Naghma, Shabnum, Shamim Aara, Firdous and Durdana Rahman. Ali was also given the Pride of Performance in 1984, on account of his services to Pakistani film. – MD
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