Veteran comedian Umer Sharif, with a career spanning over five decades and an influence to match, passed away on Saturday after a prolonged illness.
Credited with spreading laughter within Pakistan, as well as beyond its borders, Sharif’s loss is one that has sent reverberations across the world.
The comedian, who had been undergoing treatment in Germany for heart and kidney ailments, succumbed to his illness at the age of 66 despite being flown abroad on a priority basis by the government following a video request by Sharif.
Epitomising a style of stand-up that found instant and massive success across South Asia, Sharif had humble origins in Karachi.
Born Mohammed Umer, the comedian added ‘Sharif’ to his name after being left spellbound by Egyptian actor Omar Sharif’s performance in the Hollywood film, “Lawrence of Arabia”.
He broke into the world of comedy as a stage performer at the tender age of 14, finding success via his sharp wit and the ability to deliver a joke of any magnitude of humour with a completely straight face.
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However, there was no dearth of laughs, as the audience more than made up for the lack of a reaction on part of the comedian. His improv left onlookers in splits, his recorded shows becoming a staple in every home with a television in the late 80s and early 90s.
Sharif’s stage plays including “Bakra Qiston Pe” and “Buddha Ghar Pe Hai” found immense success and catapulted Sharif into the comedy big league.
Sharif found success later in 2009 through the popular late-night talk show, “The Shareef Show”. Awarded with a Tamgha-e-Imtiaz for his cultural services, the comedian also won national prestige for direction and acting in 1992 via his film Mr. 420.
More than the king of comedy, Sharif was the king of wit, improvisation and impeccable timing. His influence on sub-continental entertainment cannot be ignored, with his unique genre of comedy finding fans in and influencing the careers of Indian comedy giants such as Johnny Lever.
Sharif’s one-liners made their way into the comedy routines of several other comedians such as Kapil Sharma, more often than not without seeking permission from Sharif himself.
From Akshay Kumar crowning him the “best comedian of all time” to Lever labelling himself a “deewana” of Sharif’s comedy style, his ability to transcend borders serves as a testament to the comedian’s talent.
At a fundraising event for Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital, while speaking to Sharif, actor Aamir Khan described his love for Sharif’s comedy, mentioning “Bakra Qiston Pe” in particular. “I was laughing so much that I couldn’t breathe,” he recalled.
His stand-up routine at the Zee Cine Awards left even the likes of Amitabh Bachchan in splits, and his legacy is one that shall be remembered and celebrated, whether consciously or not, for decades more to come.
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