Mistaken well-wishers: Akber Subhani laughs off rumours of ill-health, poverty

TV veteran says he is perfectly fine, occupied with teaching assignments

KARACHI: It will not be entirely wrong to say that many a times, social media acts as a mediator between the voiceless and the eloquent. How often it comes to be that forgotten artists of the country reappear through platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube and their plight is not only heard by thousands, but also redressed. Examples of Ainak Wala Jin’s Shahzad Qaiser and Matloobur Rehman are just some that one can recall from recent times.

However, what does one do when a false rumour spreads like wildfire? When it comes to news spread through social media, a lack of verification is the single biggest drawback. ‘Facebook journalists’ have killed Edhi too many times; one has lost count of the number of times The Undertaker has reincarnated.



In the past few weeks, the social media was rife with news of TV veteran Akber Subhani’s supposed ill-health and poor financial condition. The propaganda led to his daughter, Fariha Subhani, writing a detailed public post, saying, “We all were ignoring it initially. This drama … the propaganda created by a person that Akber Subhani is unwell and needy.” She said the pictures being used with these rumours are of her father playing the role of a poor man. “Akber Subhani has been working for 43 years and if in this age he is not appearing on screen, it doesn’t mean that he is not earning anything.” She said the 68-year-old also teaches on the side and has a family that takes care of him. Akber’s daughter mentioned his last two projects, Jami’s Moor and Sarmad Khoosat’s Manto, to add that it is not like her father has called it quits for good.

“Whether it’s Akber Subhani’s family or Amjad Sabri’s family or any other person’s family, kindly do not share things that lack authenticity,” Fariha wrote.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Akber laughed off the rumours and confirmed that he is perfectly fine.

“I have actually been quite busy with my teaching assignments lately. I am associated with Karachi School of Art and teach fine arts and French,” he said.



The acting veteran brushed off the notion that it was a detractor who initiated this campaign against him. “For the past one year I have not been in touch with anyone hence a well-wisher from the TV circles thought I was not doing well.” When asked whether he has any acting projects in the pipeline, he said at the moment he is not working on any drama or film. “I have a few offers on the table. Will look at them after Eidul Fitr,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 4^th, 2016.

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