The other side of Moin Akhtar

An evening commemorating Moin Akhtar highlighted the philanthropic side of his personality.

KARACHI:

Much acknowledged for his onscreen wit and humour, there is very little one knows about the other side of Moin Akhtar - an avid reader who had maintained a home library, a serious man who had a philosophy of making a difference, an actor who never found time to watch TV and a writer who was in the process of penning down his autobiography.

Unfolding the legend’s humanitarian streak, the artist community in Karachi paid tribute to Akhtar as a humanitarian.

Held on Friday, June 17, at the Pakistan-American Cultural Centre (PACC), the event opened with the screening of Akhtar’s teleplays like “Half Plate” and “Rosie” along with his pictures with Bollywood celebrities like Lata Mangeshkar, Rishi Kapoor and Anupum Kher.

Hosting the event, writer and PACC associate Makhdoom Riaz said: “Death is inevitable but this loss is certainly great. Very few people are remembered once they have departed from this world. Importantly, often it is the philanthropy of memorable people that is recalled. Moin Akhtar was one such person. We don’t know a lot about the humanitarian side of his personality, full of love for the common man. At his funeral, there was not an eye that did not shed a tear.”

Seema Saher, an artist and performer said: “I knew Moin Akhtar more on a personal level than on professional lines. He did a lot of welfare work for the needy. We all know how he had helped Lehri sahib financially, but what I did not know was the fact that I would be standing in front of the audience today to speak about him.”

TV artist and a close friend of Akhtar, Aftab Alam said: “He was a funny man who would never spare a stage performer or a TV actor from his jokes and laughter. But he was indeed a better human being. On his funeral, there were many people who had never even met Moin in person. I can certainly recall a man, who told that Moin Akhtar had financially aided him to arrange the weddings of his five daughters.”

“The way his funeral took place was like that of a mystic saint. So many people had gathered from all over Karachi to bid their final adieu to the great comedian. I can only wish to have such a funeral for myself,” added Alam whom Akhtar had nicknamed “Memon”.

A co-star from Akhtar’s last television play “Harialay Banay”, Rubina Arif said: “If there was an artists’ kingdom, he would surely have been its king. He was such a great comedian that he was often invited by the Indian shows. His death is undoubtedly a loss for the entire nation.”

This was the first event of its kind since the previous tributes held at Karachi Press Club and the Arts Council, Karachi, which highlighted Akhtar’s illustrious career in acting and comedy.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 20^th, 2011.