Ghayyur Akhtar (R) in Sona Chandi.
He was taken to Services Hospital on Thursday when his condition deteriorated.
Akhtar was born in 1946 in Lahore and began acting in the late 1970s. But it wasn’t till the 1980s when fame found him. His performances in drama serials ‘Khwaja and Sons’, ‘Sona Chandi’, ‘Free Hit’, ‘Ghar Aya Mera Perdesi’, ‘Afsar Ba-kar-e-Khas’, and ‘Sitara’ were highly appreciated by viewers.
He also played the role of Sanwri Jadugar in the drama serial ‘Ainak Wala Jin’ that was popular among children.
While popular on the small screen, his work on the silver screen brought him plaudits as well. One of his most famous films was ‘Direct Hawaldar’ in which he played the role of jailer that is still memorable among cine-goers.
Apart from his career in front of the camera, Akhtar also wrote stage plays. ‘Kutkutarian’ was his first stage play. He also hosted the programme ‘Lahore Lahore Ay’.
He faded from silver screen in the 1990s when the film industry crashed, and instead turned to some drama serials. He acted in ‘Sitara’, another classical PTV drama.
In ‘Afsar Bakar-e-Khas’ he was cast against prominent actors such as Nawaz Anjum, Zulqarnain Haider and Agha Abbas, but he managed to give strong account of himself.
‘Sona Chandi’ was a classic comedy-drama television serial produced by Pakistan Television. Its story revolved around a couple who move to the city from the village in search of work. Akhtar starred alongside the likes of Hamid Rana (Sona) and Sheba Arshad (Chandi) and Begum Khurshid Mirza. His exclamation of "oho ho ho ho" became iconic.
His range of acting from ‘Sona Chandi’ to ‘Ainak Wala Jin’ earned him the President’s Pride of Performance Award.
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He was a giant of an actor. His role in sona chandi was legendary. I will miss him. Rest in peace sir. You brought joy to us when you were alive and we are sad on your passing away.
Rest in Peace Sir! Slowly all the greats are passing away.
He was such a great actor, made us happy through his comedy. I still remember his charecter is Sona Chandi. But like Ali Said that we are an ungreatful nation, i too agree with him that all the years when he was off the screen our media did not bother to give any news or update about such a superstar of his days.
@Ali: @Bilal Ijaz: I don't think Nation did anything wrong to this gentleman. He was given due respect, love and fame. As far as his economic situation was concerned, he made wrong choices and did not select his career wisely. Nobody forced him to work in low paying entertainment industry.
All those who live have to pass to another form of life. Rest in Peace... you were a source of great entertainment for us in the 80s. You guys were giants that made Pakistani TV the best in that era.
R.I.P Sir ... We are an ungrateful nation.
Was a great actor. He made our days. May Allah bless him.
RIP Ghayyur sahib.
He was a great actor. It's sad to see the apathy with which we treat some of our truly great artists.