Veteran television and theatre artiste Jamil Fakhri, who will forever be remembered for his role as SHO Jaffar Husain in the TV series “Andhera Ujala”, passed away in Lahore on Thursday. He was 65.
Fakhri had been in a critical condition since May 31, when he was admitted to the Mayo Hospital. Earlier, the actor had been admitted to the Cavalry Hospital following anxiety attacks.
Fakhri, who had a history of diabetes and blood pressure, was also a heart patient. He was put on a ventilator because his respiration was not strong enough. Doctors at Mayo Hospital said that he was in coma when he was brought to the hospital. At the time, they had said that they wanted to stabilise his condition. This proved unsuccessful and on Thursday, the TV star and stage artiste breathed his last.
Family members said that Fakhri’s health deteriorated rapidly following the death of his son, Ayaz Ali Fakhri, in the United States.
Ayaz was murdered in a gruesome manner in December 2010 and Jamil Fakhri never quite recovered from the shock of the death and the circumstances surrounding it. At the time he had said that he had no enemies and as such could not understand why his son was targeted.
Jamil Fakhri was a banker by profession. He had started his artistic career from a TV drama ‘Thanda Bokhar’.
Fakhri will be remembered for his PTV dramas from Lahore Station, which included “Piyas”, “Lahore Junction”, “Waris”, “Dunyadari”, as well as special features and Eid plays. He also performed in various Urdu and Punjabi films. One of his most memorable stints was as SHO Jaffer Husain in the TV drama serial “Andhera Ujala” where he performed alongside actors Qavi Khan and Irfan Khoosat. He will also be remembered by his fans for his role in “Puray Chand Ki Raat”.
President Asif Ali Zardari expressed his grief and sorrow over the sad demise. Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani in his statement said that the late Jamil Fakhri was a versatile artist of high calibre. Jamil Fakhri is survived by a widow and three sons. His funeral prayers will be offered at his Ravi Road residence on Friday.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 10th, 2011.
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