Pakistan Television legend Roohi Bano passes away

She was admitted to a hospital in Istanbul, Turkey at the time of her death

LAHORE: Television legend and veteran actor Roohi Bano passed away due to kidney failure in a hospital in Istanbul, Turkey on Friday. She was was on the ventilator at the time of her passing.

Bano, a resident of Lahore, had also been suffering from schizophrenia since the death of her son.

She was staying at Fountain House, a facility for people who are living with serious mental illnesses.

"Bano was also suffering from diabetes and in very bad condition for the last two months," a family member told The Express Tribune on the condition of anonymity. "She had been in the hospital for three weeks and her health was just not improving anymore."

During her career, Bano appeared in many films and also worked with PTV for a long time.

Some of her most famous plays include Zarda Gulab, Qila Kahani, Hairatkada, Darwaza, Kiran Kahani, among others.

On account of her achievements, she was given assistance from the Pakistani government.

The news of Bano’s death instantly became one of the top trends on microblogging site Twitter with social activists, journalists, showbiz celebs and sports stars eulogizing her  for her contribution to television.

“Her life was a tableau of endless suffering. Her art an incandescent testament to her talent,” wrote Fasi Zaka. “The gift of genius came with an exacting price….”

Her life was a tableau of endless suffering. Her art an incandescent testament to her talent. The gift of genius came with an exacting price - she fell deeper into a crevasses of her unquiet mind. May she truly, finally, be in peace now #RoohiBano pic.twitter.com/4J54YLxR3Q

— Fasi Zaka (@fasi_zaka) January 25, 2019

TV program anchor Aaliya Shah said, “What a great actor she was. One of the pioneer of Urdu tv drama she led a tragic life due to her mental illness...”

What a great actor she was. One of the pioneer of urdu tv drama she led a tragic life due to her mental illness, it is true that genius and insanity go together #RoohiBano https://t.co/E6T6SSDBv6

— Aaliya Shah (@AaliyaShah1) January 25, 2019

“When life gives outstanding talent it often takes away something. Sadly true for inimitable #RoohiBano,” wrote Dr Osama Siddiqui.

When life gives outstanding talent it often takes away something. Sadly true for inimitable #RoohiBano who dominated PTV with powerful, brooding, mostly tragic performances. Won many fans. Led a traumatic life. May she be at peace. Thank u for the magic.
https://t.co/WsCORNicdU

— Osama Siddique (@DrOsamaSiddique) January 25, 2019

Former cricketer Shoaib Akhtar said with Bano’s demise, an entire era of acting has come to an end.

The legendary #RoohiBano has left us for her eternal abode. With her demise, an entire era of acting has come to an end.

— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) January 25, 2019

On its official Twitter handle, PTV News wrote, “She [Bano] will forever be remembered for her outstanding artistic abilities that enthralled audiences and made her a National icon.”

PTV mourns the loss of an exemplary artist #RoohiBano who has passed away today after prolonged illness. She will forever be remembered for her outstanding artistic abilities that enthralled audiences and made her a National icon. pic.twitter.com/iyDkQp0zkf

— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) January 25, 2019

Federal Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry also expressed deep grief and sorrow over the sad demise of "veteran actress #RoohiBano".

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