Abid Ali passed away last night on Thursday at the age of 67 but his legacy will live on forever.
He was born in Quetta on March 29, 1952. Inclined towards performing arts, he joined Radio Pakistan Quetta for a brief period. He then shifted to Lahore to try his luck in television.
Ali went on to work in a number of noteworthy plays such as Khwahish and Suraj Ke Sath Sath. He also ventured into production and direction with the play, Dasht, which gained tremendous popularity.
The TV plays that he produced or directed (Pinjra, Doosra Asman etc) were content-driven, often identifying the various social ills that Pakistani society is grappling with.
He was awarded the Pride of Performance in 1985 for his contribution to the industry. Ali was last seen in the feature film, Heer Maan Ja.
Here are five works that showcase the talent he had and to remember him by:
1) Waris:
The 1979 drama is one of Pakistan’s most iconic works and Abid Ali’s performance as Dilawar – a young man out to avenge his older brother’s murder – still holds up.
2) Diyar-e-Dil:
Who can forget Agha Jan and his family? The drama, based on the novel by Farhat Ishtiaq, had an all-star cast so it’s no wonder that Abid Ali was at the helm of this household.
3) Bunty, I Love You:
Abid Ali played Saba Qamar’s first husband – depicting the common practice of much older men marrying very young women – and brought the first twist to the drama when he left half his property in her name.
4) Rukhsati:
An example of Abid Ali’s versatility is Rukhsati where he played the antagonist so well, you can’t help but wonder what he’ll do next.
5) Moorat:
This 2004 drama was one of the rare early works in Pakistan’s entertainment industry that highlighted the struggles of trans folks in our society. Abid Ali took on the role of Reshma, a trans person who saves a young man from a family that doesn’t accept him for his effeminate ways.
Let’s be honest, this is just a drop in the ocean that is Abid Ali’s wonderful career. Tell us your favorite works of the icon in the comment below.
