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 | |
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منور ظریف | |
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Born | Muhammad Munawar 25 December 1940[1] |
Died | 29 April 1976 35) | (aged
Resting place | Bibi Pak Daman Cemetery, Lahore, Pakistan |
Nationality | Pakistani |
Other names | Shahenshah-e-Zarafat (Urdu: شہنشاہِ ﻇﺮﺍﻓﺖ) |
Occupation |
|
Years active | 1961–1976[1] |
Works | Performances |
Spouse(s) | Bilquis Khanum |
Children | 3, including Faisal Munawar Zarif[2] |
Relatives | Zarif (brother)[3] Munir Zarif (brother)[4] Rasheed Zarif (brother)[5] Majeed Zarif (brother)[6] |
Awards | Nigar 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
Year | Title | Role | Language | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1961 | Dandiyan | Punjabi | ||
1964 | Haath Jori | Punjabi | ||
1965 | Malangi | Punjabi | ||
1966 | Bharia Mela | Punjabi | ||
1967 | Imam Din Gohavia | Punjabi | ||
1968 | Parde Min Rehny Do | Urdu | ||
Bau Jee | Punjabi | |||
1969 | Diya Aur Toofan | Urdu |
1970s
Year | Title | Role | Language |
---|---|---|---|
1970 | Heer Ranjha | Saida Khera | Punjabi |
Rangeela | Josheela | Urdu | |
1971 | Dil Aur Duniya | Urdu | |
Ishq Deevana | Maqbool "Qoola" Ahmed | Punjabi | |
1972 | Baharo Phool Barsao | Urdu | |
1973 | Ziddi | Shaadi | Punjabi |
Ajj Da Mehinwal | Punjabi | ||
Banarsi Thug | Punjabi | ||
Khushia | Khushi | Punjabi | |
Rangeela Aur Munawar Zarif | Munawar Zarif/Khan Bahadur Ishtiaq Ali | Urdu | |
Jeera Blade | Shafqat/Jeera Blade | Punjabi | |
1974 | Manji Kithay Dahwan | Rahmat | Punjabi |
Naukar Wohti Da | Munawar | Punjabi | |
Hasday Aao Hasday Jao | Mhanna | Punjabi | |
1975 | Zeenat | Shaukat | Urdu |
Sharif Badmash | Misrri | Punjabi | |
Shararat | Urdu | ||
Sheeda Pastol | Sheeda Pastol/Jeeda | Punjabi | |
Shoukan Melay Di | Bahadar | Punjabi | |
1976 | Hukam Da Ghulam | Jani | Punjabi |
Jano Kapatti | Jano/Jani | Punjabi | |
Anjaam | Punjabi | ||
Chitra Tay Shera | Boota Singh | Punjabi | |
Badtameez | Afzal | Punjabi | |
Reshma Tay Shera | Punjabi |
Awards and honours
Won
- Nigar Awards 1971 - Special Award for Ishq Deevana[21]
- Nigar Awards 1972 - Best Comedian for Baharo Phool Barsao
- Nigar Awards 1975 - Best Comedian for Zeenat[22]
See also
References
- Munawar Zarif remembered The News International (newspaper), Published 30 April 2018, Retrieved 5 August 2018
- "Pakistan Artists Database Entry for Faisal Munawar Zarif". Pakistan Film Magazine. Retrieved 11 August 2020
- "Pakistan Artists Database Entry for Zarif". Pakistan Film Magazine. Retrieved 11 August 2020
- "Pakistan Artists Database Entry for Munir Zarif". Pakistan Film Magazine. Retrieved 11 August 2020
- "Pakistan Artists Database Entry for Rasheed Zarif". Pakistan Film Magazine. Retrieved 11 August 2020
- "Pakistan Artists Database Entry for Majeed Zarif". Pakistan Film Magazine. Retrieved 11 August 2020
- "'Remembering Munawwar Zarif', Profile and obituary". ARY News. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
- https://www.thenews.com.pk/archive/print/613343-the-15-great-comedians-of-pakistani-film,-tv-and-stage
- 39th death anniversary of Munawar Zarif today Dunya News, Published 29 April 2015, Retrieved 5 August 2018
- Profile and filmography of Munawar Zarif on livetv.pk website Retrieved 5 August 2018
- "Comedian Ali Ejaz passes away". Dawn. Pakistan. 19 December 2018. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
- https://arynews.tv/en/remembering-munawar-zareef/
- https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2018/04/29/in-memory-of-comedian-munawar-zarif-on-his-42nd-death-anniversary/
- In memory of comedian Munawar Zarif on his 42nd death anninversary Pakistan Today (newspaper), Published 29 April 2018, Retrieved 5 August 2018
- "Hasb E Haal's Tribute to Munawar Zarif". dailymotion.com.
- "Dunya News Special Documentary on Munwar Zareef". dailymotion.com.
- https://www.urdupoint.com/en/showbiz/munawar-zarif-left-an-indelible-impression-on-608889.html
- https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4VN0tsMqf3I
- https://m.imdb.com/title/tt4191600/trivia?ref_=m_tt_trv_trv
- https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sUvHo0dKUho
- https://web.archive.org/web/20080803194443/http://www.thehotspotonline.com/moviespot/bolly/Lollywood/NigarAwards.htm
- "Nigar Awards (1972 - 1986)". The Hot Spot Online website. 5 January 2003. Archived from the original on 25 July 2008. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
External links
- Munawar Zarif at the Internet Movie Database
- Filmography of Munawar Zarif on Complete Index To World Film (CITWF) website