Pakistan’s comedy king Safeerullah Siddiqui,
popularly known by fans as Lehri, passed away in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
of the Liaquat National Hospital Thursday morning.
After discussing the 83-year-old actor’s
deteriorating health with his doctor, Lehri’s family decided to take him off
the ventilator at 9:42am. The legendary film actor, who is best known for his
humorous roles, had been put on the ventilator since several weeks and was
hospitalised due to acute chest congestion and low blood pressure.
“His condition wasn’t improving but I had my hopes
high, which is why I never removed the ventilator till now,” Dr Abdul Manan
told The Express Tribune at the hospital. “His age, coupled with too many
internal infections, just quickened the process. There were three infections
out of which two were treated but I believe the time had arrived. And even
though we tried our level best, God had His final say. What could we do?”
Present in the ICU ward was a teary-eyed Asad
Mehboob, the eldest son-in-law of the comedian, as well as Lehri’s sons,
daughters and daughters-in-law. As they stood by his side, the women recited
Quranic verses and wept as the ailing actor’s breathing slowed and blood
pressure fell.
As the actor breathed his last, a chorus of cries
broke out as emotional family members consoled each other. “When my biological
father passed away years ago, I told him I felt like an orphan,” cried his
daughter-in-law Naheed Rehan. “At that time, he calmed me down and said, ‘Abhi
mein zinda hoon (I am still alive)’. Now, I’m an orphan in the true sense of
the word!”
Lehri’s nephew Shoaib Siddiqui was also present at
the hospital. “[Lehri] made the world laugh and us too,” he said. “But with the
passage of time he had become very religious. I will miss him because whenever
I had a social issue or a problem that I couldn’t deal with, I would rush to
him and he would gladly solve all my issues.”
Outside the corridor on the first floor of the
hospital, women wailed inconsolably and men made plans for the actor’s funeral
and last rites. Asad Mehboob was on the telephone informing friends and
relative, “Papa chalay gayey (Papa is gone)!”
As the media poured in from various quarters and
tried to reach the first floor, the hospital’s strict security measures kept
journalists out of the ICU ward.
Lehri’s funeral prayers took place on the same
evening at Masjid-e-Baitul-Mukkaram in Gulshan-e-Iqbal, and he was buried at
the Yasinabad Graveyard.
Remembering the man who made millions smile
One of Pakistani’s most celebrated comedians has
made his final transition. But despite having left this world, the man who made
millions laugh with his witty dialogues and clever delivery lives on in the
hearts of fans and the film fraternity.
“In the late ‘60s, his house was close to mine but I
never realised what a big actor resided nearby,” producer Kazim Pasha recalls.
“Later, I found out what a somber and great actor he was; the way he uttered
sentences was beautiful – his phrases forced one to smile.”
Born in British India in 1929, Safeerullah Siddiqui
moved to Karachi after partition and began working as a stenotypist during his
teenage years. Side by side, after completing his hours at the office, he would
make ends meet by selling hosiery items in Saddar. His big break came in the
1950s, when director Sheikh Lateef decided to make Anokhi. Lateef’s niece
Sheila Ramani came from India to play the lead female role in the film, while
actor Shad was chosen to play the hero, as his previous film, Naukar was a box
office sensation. After bagging the role of a comedian in the film, Siddiqui
was christened Lehri, the name that became his identity during his 38 years in
the film industry.
Out of the 225 films that Lehri made in his career,
his comic roles in Mera Ghar Meri Jannat, Tasvir, Tum Salamat Raho, Ishara, Nai
Laila Naya Majnon, Tum Milay Pyaar Mila, Bahadur, Saiqa, Naukar and Zameer won
him outstanding appreciation and fame.
Reflecting on the comedian’s career and work,
veteran film actor Nadeem Baig says, “Lehri sahib was a big actor. I was a fan
even before I joined the industry. I was lucky to have worked with him as such
actors and comedians are not born every day,” adding that his film Dillagi was
a “big contribution to his credibility and creativity”.
While the vast majority of Lehri’s roles were in
Urdu films, the actor also worked on some Punjabi productions. Commenting on
his acting skill and talent, Urdu and Punjabi film actor Ghulam Mohiuddin says,
“His comedy performances have been great — he would be serious the whole time
and then suddenly utter a hilarious dialogue and make us laugh.”
Despite not having played the lead role as a film’s
hero — since the comedian’s role is usually a smaller one — Lehri found his
place in the hearts of his million admirers. While his last film Dhanak was
released in 1986, his contributions to Pakistani cinema earned him an award
from the film industry in 1993.
Summing up Lehri’s memorable gift to cinema, veteran
comedian and actor Rauf Lala says: “For so many years, he worked in the film
industry and remained the king of Urdu comedy in Pakistan. From the utterance
of dialogues to his gestures, we [comedians] have learnt a lot from him. His
films and shows will always be remembered. The country has lost a treasure
[with his death].”
Stars remember Lehri
Talat Hussain - TV actor: He was a very humane [and
caring] person with a great sense of humour and satirical skills. His style was
very different and he stuck to it. There is no doubt that he was a big actor
who kept the tradition of real comedy alive in the sub-continent.
Bushra Ansari - TV actor and comedian: A big actor
has left us — no other stars have sprung [in the entertainment industry] like
him. We had very little interaction, but when we did on the sets of TV drama
“Aangan Tehra” and some other skits in Karachi, he showed me what a pleasant
human being he was, who sported a flair for dressing up suitably. However, when
I saw him bed-ridden, he looked tiresome and depressed.
Qavi Khan - Film and TV actor: In performing arts,
there are different styles and ways of performing. As far as other comedians
are concerned, no one was able to match the impact Lehri made [on the
audience]. In terms of performance, mental and physical delivery [execution],
each scene Lehri did had a direct effect on the audience; something which
separated him from other comedians.
Shabnam – Stage and film actor: We are all getting
old now and I don’t know what life has in store for us. I hope he gets a good
place in heaven. Since this morning, I’ve been very disturbed after hearing
this unfortunate news.
Did you know?
Lehri won the prestigious Nigar award for 12 movies
from 1963 to 1986 and set a record. Up until 1999, no other Pakistani comedian
was able to break his record.
Lehri worked on 225 memorable movies over a film
career spanning over 38 years.
Late prime minister Benazir Bhutto reportedly
provided him a monthly stipend of Rs2,500 during her first tenure, which he
continued to receive without any increase.
Life and filmography
Lehri was no doubt an unparalleled comedian and
actor of Pakistan. He won great acclaim for his roles and many lauded him on
his unique style of delivering a dialogue. Along with humorous roles, Lehri
also played a few villainous and serious roles in films over the years.
1929:
Safeerullah Siddiqui was born in British India.
1956: He began his career by acting in the hit film
Anokhi and adopted the name Lehri.
1963: Lehri won the prestigious Nigar Award for the
first time for Best Comedian in the film Daman. He went on to win 11 more such awards during his career.
1986: Lehri acted in his last film Dhanak
1993: A special award was given to Lehri by the
Pakistani film industry for his splendid 38 years of acting.
2012: In August, Lehri was admitted to the Intensive
Care Unit (ICU) at Liaquat National
Hospital
2012:
September 13, Lehri passes away
Movies:
1959
Faisla, Apna Paraya
1960
Insaaf, Noukri, Yeh Duniya
1961
Insaan Badalta Hay, Zamana Kya Kahe Ga
1962
Dosheeza, Anchal
1963
Teen Aur Teen, Qatl ke Baad, Ishq Par Zor Nahin
1964
Touba, Choti Ammi, Ashyana
1965
Shabnam, Kaneez
1966 Jokar, Ruswai, Koun Kisi Ka, Taqdeer
1967
Bahadur, Main Wo Nahin, Sajda, Devar bhabi, Wohti, Aag Ka Darya, Hamraz,
Aag
1968
Doosri Maa, Balam, Aik Musafir Aik Haseena, Shehnai, Yaar Dost
1969 Tum
Miley Pyar Mila, Nai Laila Naya Majnoon, Pia Milan Ki Aas, Jaisey
Jantey Nahin,
Mahmaan, Dil Daikey Dekho, Baharain Phir
Bhi Aaingee
1970
Anjan, Shama Aur Parwana, Lori, Jaley Na Kyoun Parwana, Mohabbat Rang Layegee, Anjuman,
Gharasti
1971
Rim Jhim, Do Baghi, Dunya Na Maney, Afshan, Rootha Na Karo, Yeh Aman, Tahzeeb
1972
Dhamaka, Main Bhi To Insaan Hoon
1973
Sehrey Key Phool, Dulhan Raani, Society, Anhoni, Nadya Key Paar
1974
Dil Lagi, Subha ka Tara, Chahat, Babul Mor Muharaan, Sharafat,
Neelam, Nanha farishta, Phool Mairey
Gulshan Ka
1975
Paisa, Piar Ka Mousam, Mohabbat Zindagi Hay, Gumrah, Shareef badmash, Dilnasheen, Anari, Isar,
Soorat Aur Seerat, Roshni, Badal Gaya
Insaan, Zanjeer, Masoom.
1976
Zubaida, Moam Ki Gurya, Koshish, Daagh, Aaj Aur Kal, Wada, Daikha
jaayga, Insanyat, Jeo Aur Jeenay Do
1977 Uf
Yeh Beevian, Sangam, Jawani Deevani, Jeeney Ki Raah
1978
Amber, Abshar, Kabhi kabhi, Prince, Mousam Hay Ashqana
1979
Mr.Ranjha, Ab Ghar Janey Do, Chaltey Chaltey
1980
Zameer, Bandhan, Saima, Badnam
1981
Dil Aik Khilona, Kiran Aur Kali
1983
Mang Mairi Bhardo
1985
Halchal
1986
Dhanak
Published
in The Express Tribune, September 14th, 2012.
No comments:
Post a Comment