Transitions: Celebrated Hindko drama actor passes away

Pride of Performance Award winner Salahuddin had been suffering from protracted illness.

PESHAWAR:
After ruling the country’s television screens for decades, senior Hindko drama artiste Salahuddin breathed his last on Sunday night at the age of 63.

The artiste had been suffering health complications for the past several years. He was laid to rest on Monday morning in the provincial capital.

Salahuddin, the winner of the prestigious Pride of Performance Award, had remained associated with Pakistan Television (PTV) and Radio Pakistan since 1968, the year he debuted. Throughout his career, he worked in more than 2,500 Hindko and Pashto TV and radio dramas, including a large number of comedy serials.

The death of the senior artiste has left his five sons, three daughters and thousands of adoring fans bereaved.

“He had been suffering from diabetes, heart disease and other health problems for many years and had been on regular medication,” Ziauddin Siddiqi, Salahuddin’s son told The Express Tribune.

With his health failing, the senior artiste had been facing a severe financial crisis. In 2012, he even put up 50 of his medals and accolades, including the Pride of Performance Award, for sale so he could pay his medical bills.


In an earlier interview, Salahuddin told The Express Tribune he began his acting career in 1968 with PTV’s drama Faraib and went on to perform in several Hindko and Urdu shows such as Kunh, Mausam and Mati aur Mashkeeza.

Salahuddin also worked in hundreds of Hindko and Pashto radio plays. His most famous TV show was the 25-episode comedy serial Dek da Janda Ray Jamboray Dek da Janda Ray which aired from PTV Peshawar.

His most acclaimed programme broadcast from Radio Pakistan was Qehwa Khana, which highlighted Peshawar’s culture and heritage.

Salauddin also authored what is believed to be the first book written on Hindko dramas. The book titled Lathi be Awaz was published in 2009 and is a compilation of Hindko dramas.

After his career in television and radio ended, the ailing artiste began selling clothes in Karim Pura to make ends meet. He had also worked in a customs clearing agency but packed up later.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 30th, 2014.

 
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