Stage actor Ashraf Rahi in critical condition

Artist expresses disappointment in government for not answering his pleas

LAHORE: We often hear of veteran artists from regional entertainment circuit, suffering in old age and not being appreciated for their services. Examples of performers such as Mastana and Babu Baral leave nothing more to be said about the sad state of affairs. Veteran stage actor Ashraf Rahi is another such individual who seems to have met with the same fate. Having acted in over 3,000 stage productions, he is now forced to question every career decision he has made in the past five decades.

The 63-year-old lost the battle against Hepatitis C and diabetes last year and is now in critical condition. Rahi was admitted to a private hospital in Lahore on Monday, but failure to afford the expenses resulted in his family shifting him back home.



“For the last two years, I have been trying to acquire help from the Punjab government. I have even visited the CM house in this regard and submitted applications to Shahbaz Sharif’s son Hamza but no one has helped me,” Rahi told The Express Tribune.

Citing examples of popular plays such as Sawa Sair, Ashiqo Gham Na Karna, Bara Maza Aye Ga, Aj Aakhan Waris Shah Noun, Double Sawari and Shartiya Mithay, Rahi revealed he has contributed a lot to Lahore’s theatre industry.

Hence, what disappoints him the most is government apathy. “I was ill for so many years but I never gave the slightest impression to my co-stars, producers or directors that I could not work. But, I know the world is cruel and instead of helping me out, they will mock me. I worked with a smile on my face, even when I was in my worst condition,” he said. “I am a colleague of Mastana and Babu Baral. I have seen how they died and after serving decades in the entertainment industry, they were given no help. I know my fate will be the same as theirs.”



Last year, Rahi had been making appearances on the Express News show Khabardar to make ends meet. However, his deteriorating health forced him to quit that too. “I performed around the world and earned prizes for our country. It’s upsetting that I was discharged from a hospital for not being able to afford it.”

Rahi even ventured into TV plays and considers his roles in Khufiya Jazeera and Ainak Wala Jin amongst his best performances. On the silver screen, the thespian was seen in the Punjabi film Mehndi Wale Hath opposite actor Veena Malik.

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