Munawar Zarif

Munawar Zarif (Urdu: منور ظریف‎) (25 December 1940 – 29 April 1976) was a Pakistani film actor and comedian. His fans named him Shahenshah-e-Zarafat (Urdu: شہنشاہِ ﻇﺮﺍﻓﺖ‎), meaning The Emperor of Humor or the King of Humor.[7][1] He was one of the most popular and highest paid actors of 1970s and considered as one of the greatest comedians of South Asia.[8][9]

Munawar Zarif
منور ظریف
Born
Muhammad Munawar

25 December 1940[1]
Gujranwala, Punjab, British India
(now in Punjab, Pakistan)
Died29 April 1976(1976-04-29) (aged 35)
Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
Resting placeBibi Pak Daman Cemetery, Lahore, Pakistan
NationalityPakistani
Other namesShahenshah-e-Zarafat (Urdu: شہنشاہِ ﻇﺮﺍﻓﺖ)
Occupation
  • Actor
  • comedian
Years active1961–1976[1]
Works
Performances
Spouse(s)Bilquis Khanum
Children3, including Faisal Munawar Zarif[2]
RelativesZarif (brother)[3]
Munir Zarif (brother)[4]
Rasheed Zarif (brother)[5]
Majeed Zarif (brother)[6]
AwardsNigar Awards

Early life and career

He was born on 25 December 1940 in Gujranwala, Punjab.[1] He started his film career from a Punjabi film Dandian in 1961 and got a breakthrough in the film Hath Jori in 1964. After a film career as a comedian, he became a film actor, first as a side-hero in film Pardey mein rehney doe (1968) and then in the title roles and hero in the same year in film Banarsi Thugg (1973) and Jeera Blade (1973). He was awarded the Nigar Award on his outstanding performance in Baharo Phool Barsao (1972), Zeenat (1975) and Ishaq Deewana (1971). He appeared in more than 300 films in just 16 years from 1961–76.[10] He was also famous for his Ad-Lib dialogue delivery. Often he would improvise so much that his fellow actors would have trouble keeping up with him.[1][9][1]

Personal Life

Munawar Zarif was younger brother of popular comedian Zarif. He was lifelong friend of fellow comedian Ali Ejaz.[11] His son Fiasal Munawar Zarif debuted as main lead with film like Puttar Munawar Zarif da and Putter Jeerey Blade da, but he was declined by the audiences.[2] Munir Zarif, Rasheed Zarif and Majeed Zarif were also his brothers.

Death

Munawar Zareef was unable to live a longer life, Because of his liver problems[12] On 29 April 1976, he died in Lahore due to Cirrhosis of the liver.[13] Munawar Zarif was laid to rest at Bibi Pak Daman Cemetery, Lahore.[14][9]

Legacy

Munawar Zarif is often regarded as the greatest comedian ever in Pakistani films.[10] Actor and comedian Sohail Ahmed compared him with Charlie Chaplin and called him the most powerful artist of Indo-Pakistan.[15] Journalist Tahir Sarwar Mir called him Neil Armstrong of comedy,[16] While comedian Ali Ejaz called him an extempore comedian.[16] Bollywood actors Dharmendra, Johnny Lever and Govinda were among his admirers.[16] Munawar Zarif was only star comedian who was casted more then anyone in title roles in film industries of South Asia.[16] Actor Habib said that his style was different then the likes of Johnny Walker, Rangeela and Mehmood.[16] Famous actress Babra Sharif stated that Nobody can reach his level and that there will not be another Munawar Zarif.[16] Radio Pakistan Multan programme manager Asif Khan Khaitran talked about the success of Munawar Zarif and said: "There was a time in his career when writers would develop script with Munawar Zarif's personality in mind."[17]

He has also set the trend of a comedian lead actor.[18] Zarif's partnership with Rangeela is considered as one of the best comedy duos of the subcontinent.[7] The longest running and highest rated sitcom of Pakistan, Bulbulay is dedicated to Zarif.[19][20]

Filmography

His films include:

1960s
YearTitleRoleLanguage
1961DandiyanPunjabi
1964Haath JoriPunjabi
1965MalangiPunjabi
1966Bharia MelaPunjabi
1967Imam Din GohaviaPunjabi
1968Parde Min Rehny DoUrdu
Bau JeePunjabi
1969Diya Aur ToofanUrdu

1970s
YearTitleRoleLanguage
1970Heer RanjhaSaida KheraPunjabi
RangeelaJosheelaUrdu
1971Dil Aur DuniyaUrdu
Ishq DeevanaMaqbool "Qoola" AhmedPunjabi
1972Baharo Phool BarsaoUrdu
1973ZiddiShaadiPunjabi
Ajj Da MehinwalPunjabi
Banarsi ThugPunjabi
KhushiaKhushiPunjabi
Rangeela Aur Munawar ZarifMunawar Zarif/Khan Bahadur Ishtiaq AliUrdu
Jeera BladeShafqat/Jeera BladePunjabi
1974Manji Kithay DahwanRahmatPunjabi
Naukar Wohti DaMunawarPunjabi
Hasday Aao Hasday JaoMhannaPunjabi
1975ZeenatShaukatUrdu
Sharif BadmashMisrriPunjabi
ShararatUrdu
Sheeda PastolSheeda Pastol/JeedaPunjabi
Shoukan Melay DiBahadarPunjabi
1976Hukam Da GhulamJaniPunjabi
Jano KapattiJano/JaniPunjabi
AnjaamPunjabi
Chitra Tay SheraBoota SinghPunjabi
BadtameezAfzalPunjabi
Reshma Tay SheraPunjabi

Awards and honours
Nigar Awards

Won

See also

References
  1. Munawar Zarif remembered The News International (newspaper), Published 30 April 2018, Retrieved 5 August 2018
  2. "Pakistan Artists Database Entry for Faisal Munawar Zarif". Pakistan Film Magazine. Retrieved 11 August 2020
  3. "Pakistan Artists Database Entry for Zarif". Pakistan Film Magazine. Retrieved 11 August 2020
  4. "Pakistan Artists Database Entry for Munir Zarif". Pakistan Film Magazine. Retrieved 11 August 2020
  5. "Pakistan Artists Database Entry for Rasheed Zarif". Pakistan Film Magazine. Retrieved 11 August 2020
  6. "Pakistan Artists Database Entry for Majeed Zarif". Pakistan Film Magazine. Retrieved 11 August 2020
  7. "'Remembering Munawwar Zarif', Profile and obituary". ARY News. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  8. https://www.thenews.com.pk/archive/print/613343-the-15-great-comedians-of-pakistani-film,-tv-and-stage
  9. 39th death anniversary of Munawar Zarif today Dunya News, Published 29 April 2015, Retrieved 5 August 2018
  10. Profile and filmography of Munawar Zarif on livetv.pk website Retrieved 5 August 2018
  11. "Comedian Ali Ejaz passes away". Dawn. Pakistan. 19 December 2018. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
  12. https://arynews.tv/en/remembering-munawar-zareef/
  13. https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2018/04/29/in-memory-of-comedian-munawar-zarif-on-his-42nd-death-anniversary/
  14. In memory of comedian Munawar Zarif on his 42nd death anninversary Pakistan Today (newspaper), Published 29 April 2018, Retrieved 5 August 2018
  15. "Hasb E Haal's Tribute to Munawar Zarif". dailymotion.com.
  16. "Dunya News Special Documentary on Munwar Zareef". dailymotion.com.
  17. https://www.urdupoint.com/en/showbiz/munawar-zarif-left-an-indelible-impression-on-608889.html
  18. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4VN0tsMqf3I
  19. https://m.imdb.com/title/tt4191600/trivia?ref_=m_tt_trv_trv
  20. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sUvHo0dKUho
  21. https://web.archive.org/web/20080803194443/http://www.thehotspotonline.com/moviespot/bolly/Lollywood/NigarAwards.htm
  22. "Nigar Awards (1972 - 1986)". The Hot Spot Online website. 5 January 2003. Archived from the original on 25 July 2008. Retrieved 12 June 2020.


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