Moin Akhtar: in our hearts and minds
Today marks the 62nd birth anniversary of renowned Pakistani television, theatre and film actor; a comedian par excellence, Moin Akhtar.
Akhtar was born on December 24, 1950 and joined the Pakistani entertainment industry in 1966. His extraordinary impersonations and compelling performances earned him recognition in no time.
Akhtar was fluent in several languages, including English, Bengali, Sindhi, Punjabi, Memon, Pashto, Gujarati and Urdu. He was a part of a very popular team of actors that comprised Anwar Maqsood, Behroz Sabzwari and Bushra Ansari.
Akhtar joined hands with humourist Anwar Maqsood and did a couple of television shows with him. The amusing duo brought about classics such as Studio 2½, Studio Poney Teen and later on Loose Talk, which became a huge success due to Akhtar’s diverse impersonations.
Eid Train, Half Plate, Aangan Terha, Burns Road to Kemari, Such Much, Family-93 and Rosy were some of his most famous plays, while Yes Sir, No Sir, Studio 2½, Fifty Fifty, Loose Talks were also very popular TV shows. Apart from television, Akhtar also acted in a few films, including Tum Sa Nahin Dekha and Mr Tabedar. His theatre performances alongside Umar Sharif in stage dramas such as Bakra Qiston Pe and Buddha Ghar Pe Hai were also a huge success.
In recognition of his talent and work the government had bestowed Akhtar with the Sitara-i-Imtiaz and Pride of Performance award.
Akhtar passed away on April 22, 2011 due to heart attack, but what he gave to the nation can never be taken away nor forgotten.