Munawar Zarif Left An Indelible Impression On Film Industry

It's been 43 years since Munawar Zarif left this world, but the comedy icon still lives in the hearts of cinegoers

MULTAN, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th Apr, 2019 ) :It's been 43 years since Munawar Zarif left this world, but the comedy icon still lives in the hearts of cinegoers.

"The world is gifted with actors like Munawar Zarif in centuries," says local journalist Sohail Shahzad, known for his columns on the film industry.

Born on Dec 25 in 1940 in Lahore, Munawar Zarif left this world in the young age of 36, on Apr 29 in 1976, leaving his fans and the film industry stunned and grieved, after an illustrious career.

Pakistani film industry can never forget his meritorious services and contributions. He put smiles on millions of faces and made even dejected ones burst into laughter. That was his art, says Shahzad.

Munawar Zarif had joined the film industry after the death of his elder brother Zarif, also a comedian, to move on with his brother's legacy.

'Oonchay Mehel' was the first film he signed as a comedian; however, another of his films 'Dandiyan' was released first, on June 14, 1961, making it technically the first film of the revered comedy sensation.

He worked in 321 films in his 15-year career, on an average of 21 films per year and film 'Hath Jodi' was his first super-hit movie released on Dec 4, 1964.

The other super-hits he is adored for included 'Banarsi Thug', 'Jeera Blade', 'Rangeela Aur Munawar Zarif', 'Naukar Vohti Da', 'Khushiyan', 'Sheeda Pistol', 'Chakar Baaz', 'Mera Naam Paatay Khan', Hukam Da Ghulam', 'Namak Haram', 'Banday Da Puttar', and 'Ajj Da Mahinwal'.

'Lahu Dey Rishtay' was his last film released in 1980, four years after his death.

With lots of awards to his credit, the real award he won was his image and reputation of guaranteeing success of any film he was part of and a character whom cinemagoers identified as an artist who can make sad looking souls smile and laugh.

Radio Pakistan Multan programme manager Asif Khan Khaitran said that Munawar Zarif had God-gifted talent. His spontaneity in expressions and dialogue delivery made him the need of urdu and Punjabi films alike.

"There was a time in his career when writers would develop script with Munawar Zarif's personality in mind," Khaitran said.