End of An Era

The nation plunged into grief here when the news of legendary comedian Umer Sharif,s death spread like a wildfire across the country. The nation lost an iconic figure of Pakistan,s stage, television, and film industry who kept entertaining his audience for around 4 decades.

Sharif's death was confirmed by Arts Council of Pakistan's president Ahmed Shah, who said he had spoken to Sharif’s family members. Later, Pakistan's ambassador to Germany, Dr. Mohammad Faisal, also confirmed the news of Sharif's demise.

Umer Sharif, 66 earned fame across the subcontinent through his comedy stage plays particularly Bakra Qiston Pay, Budha Ghar Pe Hai, and Yes Sir Eid No Sir Eid. Razor-sharp and witty sentences and punch lines were his trademarks through which he could produce laughter out of nowhere.

Sharif was born in Karachi in 1955, abject poverty and the mounting financial crisis forced him to enter the entertainment industry where he started writing stage plays but later he did stage plays as a lead actor. Gradually he started gaining popularity through audio and video cassettes of his stage play that were being played in almost every house of Karachi during the mid-80s.

It was the year 1989 in which he gave the masterpiece of his career Bakra Qiston Pay- probably the most popular stage play that earned him enduring fame across the subcontinent and he became an ultimate source of entertainment for the sad faces. Since then he never looked back and went on to establish himself as an uncrowned king of the country,s entertainment industry.

During his long-standing career he worked with renowned personalities of Pakistan,s show business industry prominent among those were Moin Akhter, Rangeela, Ismail Tara, Nirala, Javed Sheikh, Waseem Abbas, Zeba Shehnaz, Bushra Ansari however he was very much inspired by Munawar Zareef a household name of Pakistan's film industry during its golden era.

After an exceptional success as a stage actor, he tried his luck in Pakistan,s film industry where he became quite successful. Mr. 420, Mr. Charlie, Chand Suraj, and Miss Fitna were a few of his hit movies. He performed in over 300 stage plays, over 100 movies and hosted several Tv shows.

His famous stage plays included Bakra Qiston, Pay, Budha Ghar Pe Hai, Begum Meri BBC, Yes Sir Eid No Sir Eid, Half Plate, Meri Jaan Thanedaar, Umar Sharif in Jungle, Beauty Parlour Makeup, Room Chaudhary Plaza, Mamun Mazak Mat Karo, Hum Se Milo, Yeh To House Full Hogaya. Bakra Munna Bhai and many more.

Paying tribute his colleague and renowned actor Javed Sheikh said that Umer Sharif was an ideal for many comedians across the subcontinent, renowned Indian actors earned their livelihood by copying his punchlines and scripts.

Sohail Ahmed Azizi who could not control his tears while talking to the media said that Umer Sharif was the greatest comedian of this century, he was a multi-skilled person who wrote and directed stage plays and movies. "His work will always keep him alive; said Azizi with tears welling up in his eyes.

Sindh Governor Imran Ismail paid tribute to the deceased, saying: "The one who used to spread smiles on people's faces has left everyone grieving today. Umer Sharif was a big name in Pakistan's film, television, and theatre [industry]. "I had met him numerous times and besides being a good artist, he was an excellent human being. I pray that Allah grants Umer Sharif the highest place in Jannah."