Another day, another legend bids farewell.
Veteran actor Qavi Khan, who was under treatment in Canada for a kidney-related disease, breathed his last on Sunday at the age of 80. News of his demise was met with an outpouring of grief on social media, as several celebrities, politicians and friends offered their condolences to his family and paid him heartfelt tributes.
Many also spoke to The Express Tribune about the Pride of Performance and Sitara-i-Imtiaz recipient, whose passing is another blow to the entertainment industry. "The death of Qavi khan is a national loss. He was a brilliant actor, who has left a void that can never be filled,” actor Javed Sheikh shared with the publication. “The entire artist community is sad today. I pray that Allah grants him a place in Jannat al-Firdous,” he added.
"I am shocked and I am sad,” actor Sakeena Samoo expressed. “Qavi Khan was a legendary actor. He did so much for our television industry. His whole career is a testament to the brilliant performer he was. But aside from being a great actor, he was also a fine gentleman and a wonderful human being,” she held.
“Qavi khan was among those stars of the country that did a lot to entertain the public back in the era of PTV,” senior actor Ghulam Mohiuddin told The Express Tribune. “I remember Mirza Ghalib, which was a hit drama. Qavi performed in many hit PTV plays and was among the most famous actors of all time.”
Actor and director Jamal Shah chimed in, "Qavi khan sahab was an exceptionally gifted artist who gave his all to TV, film, Radio and stage. He had a very long, energetic and gratifying run in the industry. An extremely disciplined and very kind man who spread positive energy everywhere, he was a true legend who set very high standards for all of us to strive to achieve.” Shah noted that while Khan has left a void that can not be filled, his body of work will always “entertain, educate and inspire us.”
A performer par excellence
Fellow friend and actor Simi Raheal penned an elaborate note for the deceased performer while posting a photo with him on Instagram. “The legend, professional, artist, teacher, friend, husband, father and human [has passed],” she wrote. “This picture of us is from 1991. I knew him well and I knew him for a very long time. We were together in many projects, his smile, patience and humility are a rare find. I have so many memories of a great artist who was dearly loved and deeply respected, he will be missed,” she continued.
Actor Humayun Saeed also took to the photo-sharing app to write, “An icon, an inspiration, an institute. Qavi Khan taught so many of us not just how to act but also how to embrace our passion by dedicating his entire life to his one true love – acting. May Allah bless his soul.”
Actor Yasir Hussain, too, put his love and admiration for the late actor into words in an Instagram post. “Will miss you Qavi sahab. I shared the stage with you but not the screen. But even in the little time we had together, I got to learn a lot from you. You were such a soft soul and such a powerful actor. No one could demonstrate what a monologue is better than Qavi sahab. Love you, sir. May you rest in peace,” he detailed under a photo with the late legend.
Host and actor Fahad Mustafa chimed in, “Heartbreaking to hear about the passing of the legendary Qavi sahab. Such a great loss for our industry. I am blessed that I got the opportunity to work alongside him in the film Quaid e Azam Zindabad. He was a maestro in his craft and such a genuine and pure soul.”
Actor Sajal Aly tweeted, “Qavi khan sahab was not only a great actor but one of the greatest human beings I was fortunate to work with. May his ranks be raised in the heavens.”
Qavi khan sahab was not only a great actor but one of the most good human being I was fortunate to work with.
— Sajal Ali (@Iamsajalali) March 5, 2023
May ALLAH raise his darjaat in heaven. Ameen 💔
While Saboor Aly, who worked with Khan in the short film Nanu Aur Main for See Prime, shared an adorable photo with the late actor from the play. She captioned the post, “You were such a beautiful human and the way you loved us, taught us, we will forever be indebted to you. It is hard to believe that you’re not here anymore. I will miss you, Nano.”
Actor Adnan Sami lamented, “Saddened to learn of legendary actor Muhammad Qavi Khan sahab’s passing. He was simply one of the finest! My deepest heartfelt condolences to his family…”
Saddened to learn of Legendary Actor Muhammad Qavi Khan Sahib’s passing away… He was simply one of the finest!!
— Adnan Sami (@AdnanSamiLive) March 5, 2023
My deepest heartfelt condolences to his family…
إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعون
May Allah SWT bless him in Jannat-ul-Firdaus...Ameen.🤲 pic.twitter.com/BnsRsHUaLF
Actor Farhan Saeed wrote, “Beloved Qavi Khan sahab Allah ke hawalay (in God’s embrace). No one was and can ever be like you. We will miss you dearly.”
Beloved #QaviKhan sb , Allah ke hawaley .
— Farhan Saeed (@farhan_saeed) March 6, 2023
App jaisa na koi tha , na koi hai aur na koi hoga 💔
Will miss you dearly . pic.twitter.com/sWet6y8LBn
Urwa Hocane also took to the microblogging site to tweet, “Zia Mohiuddin sahab and now my dear Qavi Khan sahab. I am at a loss of words worthy enough for the immense work and contributions of these icons for Pakistan. At the same time, I am grateful to have shared time and screen with the legends!”
#ZiaMohiuddin sahab and now my dear #QaviKhan sahab - At a loss of words worthy enough, for the immense work & contributions of these icons for #Pakistan ! Grateful to have shared the times & screen with the legends!
— URWA TUL WUSQUA HOCANE (@VJURWA) March 5, 2023
Bohot afsos aur dukh!
Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un !
Actor Usman Mukhtar stated that while he did not get to work with Khan, he “always heard amazing things about him from everyone.” He admitted, “What a tragic loss to the entire nation.”
Host Nadia Hussain said a prayer for the late actor before hailing him as an institution. “What a huge loss to our industry. A legend, institution, brilliant actor, fine gentleman, and a thorough professional; we had so much more to learn from him!” she held.
While actor Imran Ashraf simply shared a photo of Khan to write, “Qavi Khan sahab has left us. I love you, sir.”
Actor Aijaz Aslam, on the other hand, penned, “I am deeply sorry to hear about the passing of veteran actor Qavi Khan. He was a true icon in the entertainment industry and his talent and contributions to Pakistani cinema and television will never be forgotten. May the memories of Qavi Khan's life and work bring comfort to his loved ones and fans. May his soul rest in peace.”
Screenwriter and actor Vasay Chaudhry tweeted, “Qavi Khan was one of the most distinguished, accomplished, seasoned and respected actors of Pakistan. The man who stuck to acting all his life. I had never seen an actor as positive as him. An era ends today.”
RIP SIR, may AllAh grant you the highest place in Jannat. One of the most distinguished, accomplished,seasoned & respected actor of Pakistan. The man who stuck to acting all his life.i had never seen an actor as positive as him.
— vasay chaudhry (@vasaych) March 5, 2023
An Era ends today !#Qavikhan pic.twitter.com/RJbRtE9ylr
Model and actor Hira Tareen expressed her pain in an Instagram post. “It’s painful to see such a legendary artist and exemplary human being leave us. Truly a role model in every way.”
She called Khan a phenomenal actor who was “extremely dedicated” to his craft. And about the one thing that stood out about him, Tareen reflected, “He was always held in high regard and spoken highly of by all his peers and juniors. He will always be in our hearts due to his humility, integrity and sheer kindness.”
A star is born
Hailing from Peshawar, Khan began working as a child actor at Radio Pakistan. His riveting performances in Mirza Ghalib and Koi Na Adda Sanj Mila are testaments to his evolution as an actor. He was featured in countless dramas, including Andhera Ujala, Fishar, Lahore Gate, Mutthi Bhar Mitti, Betiyan, Cinderella, and Dure Shahwar. Besides television and theatre, he continuously showcased his artistic ability in films.
He carved out a special place for himself on the big screen with movies like Muhabbat Zindagi Hai, Chand Suraj, Sarfrosh, Kalay Chor, Zameen Aasman, and Pari. Ultimately, after a lasting acting journey on television, theatre, and films, he landed in the director’s chair. Qavi became obsessed with the idea of making films. But it was a business beyond his creative talent. He was too simple a man for the devious ways of distributors and exhibitors. He lost a great deal of money in this enterprise.
Qavi also got married in 1968 and had four children, all of whom are settled abroad. The actor travelled the world too but found himself bound to his country.
On the work front, Khan was last seen in Fizza Ali Meerza and Nabeel Qureshi's Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad which also starred superstars Mahira Khan and Fahad Mustafa. On the small screen, his last project was Urwa Hocane and Ali Rehman Khan's Meri Shehzadi. Khan essayed Hocane's grandfather on the show. However, he then left the project due to his failing health.
For his invaluable contributions to the industry, Khan was honoured with numerous awards and accolades, including the presidential award, Pride of Performance, for his outstanding performance, Sitara-i-Imtiaz, the LSA lifetime achievement award, and three Nigar awards. Khan gave the industry his identity, place, and precious memories.
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