KARACHI, Jan 25: Well-known actor Rizwan Wasti passed away after a prolonged illness on Monday in Karachi. He was 73 years old.

He is survived by his wife Tahira Wasti, herself an actress of repute, two sons and a daughter, Laila Wasti, also a known showbiz personality.

Rizwan Wasti was born in Lahore and belonged to a highly educated family. He lent his baritone voice to a variety of radio programmes and acted in several plays on PTV in the '60s, '70s and '80s, but it was his performance in the drama serial Shama (adapted from an A.R. Khatoon novel by Fatima Surrayya Bajia) that catapulted him to fame.

Apart from many long plays and drama series, his acting skills in Aagahi, Uroosa and Abgeene were received with critical acclaim.

Rizwan Wasti was one of those actors who used the cadence of his voice to remarkable success, an art that he mastered while working for Radio Pakistan. He was also a banker. Dawn

His death has left the acting fraternity of the country sad. Talking to actor Talat Hussain said, “He was a distinguished name in the broadcasting world, a man who had his own distinct style. He was also a straightforward and honest individual.”

Actor Behroz Sabzwari said: “He had a great personality and was a learned person. He was a cultured and classy human being, something that's a rarity in today's world. My colleagues and I learnt a lot from him.”

Noted director and producer Kazim Pasha said, “He was an extremely devoted artist. He would keep learning the script on the sets and never sit idle. He'd remain in character even after the shooting would end. He was part of some of the most memorable plays in the history of Pakistani television.”

Opinion

Editorial

Kurram ceasefire
26 Nov, 2024

Kurram ceasefire

DESPITE efforts by the KP government to bring about a ceasefire in Kurram tribal district, the bloodletting has...
Hollow victory
26 Nov, 2024

Hollow victory

THE conclusion of COP29 in Baku has left developing nations — struggling with the mounting costs of climate...
Infrastructure schemes
26 Nov, 2024

Infrastructure schemes

THE government’s decision to finance priority PSDP schemes on a three-year rolling basis is a significant step...
Anti-women state
Updated 25 Nov, 2024

Anti-women state

GLOBALLY, women are tormented by the worst tools of exploitation: rape, sexual abuse, GBV, IPV, and more are among...
IT sector concerns
25 Nov, 2024

IT sector concerns

PRIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s ambitious plan to increase Pakistan’s IT exports from $3.2bn to $25bn in the ...
Israel’s war crimes
25 Nov, 2024

Israel’s war crimes

WHILE some powerful states are shielding Israel from censure, the court of global opinion is quite clear: there is...