Jamil Fakhri

Jamil Fakhri was a veteran Pakistani television and theatre artist who has also starred in more than 50 films. Freshly graduated, Fakhri initially worked at the National Bank of Pakistan and, later on, set foot into theatre and stage plays at Wapda Auditorium in Lahore, featuring in the play “ Thanda Bokhar”. Having placed a stronghold on the acting field, he went on to feature in stage plays like Andar Aana Mana Hai, Zaban Daraz, Piyas and Lahore Bypass. Daldal, Waaris and Tanay Banay were the television series he starred in.

However, he attained true fame using Pakistan classic television drama series titled ‘Andhera Ujala’, where he portrayed the character of “Jaffer Husain”, as he is fondly remembered. Subsequently, he was offered his first film by director Shabab Keranvi. Among the voluminous number of films under his belt were Deewaney Do, Muskurahat and many other Punjabi and Urdu movies. What set him apart from the other actors of his clan was the ability to bring fictitious emotions on stage in a surprisingly short span of time, enough to hold an audience and bring them to tears.

He was bestowed with the Urdu Nigar Award for the best comedian for the film “Yeh Zamana Aur Hai” in 1981. Sadly, he passed away on the 9th of June, 2011 after suffering a stroke and resulting complications on hearing the news of the murder of his son, Ayaz Ali Fakhri. The Pakistan President, Asif Ali Zardari and Pakistani PM Yusuf Raza Gilani paid their condolences and stating that he was revered among one of the best actors from Pakistan