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The
show ended amidst incessant clapping. Moin was ambitious but implacably
determined to build a new world.
That
September night he must have dreamed a mighty dream and in a few
dedicated years made it come true.
In his
teens, Moin was highly talented and - by dint of desire and hard
work-was thriving ahead of his compatriots. His voice holds the power to
gladden mortal hearts and his singular appearance and etiquette persists
to this day.
Between
1966 and 1975, Moin performed in hundreds of shows. In the 1970s, face
everyone knew.
Memorable among his public appearance was a show held at the Beach
Luxury Hotel, sponsored by the Singer industries. Equally impressive was
another musical evening also hosted by the Singer Company, in which Moin
entertained the public both as a comedian and the host.
However, fans remember Moin's true legacy-his comedy and that is a huge
plus. When Urdu speaking people the world over, think of popular comedy,
Moin is what they think of first.
His
innumerable achievements have dwarfed the most ambitious comedians in
the past three decades. To think of Moin after so many accomplished
years is to visualize life and humor.
The
Pakistani nation in general and experts in particular has never come
across anybody like him, not even close. A passionate voice, a magnetic
stage presence and fans like Dilip Kumar, have brought international
acclaim to this dynamic comedian of the Indo-Pak subcontinent.
All
these years his passion for stage never ebbed. He has been flexible from
day one. The secret of his success is that he remains open to change,
Professionally and Personally.
As an
artist of highest repute, he is demanding in his discipline. With
artists like Moin, it is often hard to tell where the screen persona end
and the civilian life begin.
Truth
be told, Moin soon became the heartthrob of millions of people around
the globe. He set a standard of style and substance that all of his
successors admired.
The
spirit of self-reliance that his elders had taught him carried Moin
through every performance. Moin, an ambassador of goodwill, captivated
the hearts of his adorers with dignity, love and laughter.
The
image of this greatest Pakistani comedian is imprinted on the retinas of
every fan. So dominating are the accomplishments of Moin that his
admirers cannot think about any other entertainer.
In the
early eighties, he achieved tremendous success as host of a show, held
in Dubai. Literally speaking, there is no sphere of the Pakistani
society, which Moin has not copied, through his parody. From the role of
a poor beggar to the character of the highest-ranking bureaucrat, Moin
has filled in the role of every single being.
What
more could Moin wish for, when the greatest Indian actor, Dilip Kumar,
himself passed these comments: 'Moin Akhtar's great artistry is worth
copying.
That
Moin continued to work as an individual artist on what was, in fact, a
group feat of organizers, is presumably the secret of his potency.
Today,
forty-two years after his first performance, the wistful magic of Moin
gives him aliveness uncommon in the Pakistani entertainment.
An
average Moin fan cannot easily explain the wellsprings of his art. It
seems that it comes from within.
Moin
found a perfect unanimity of tone with his colleagues, particularly
Shoaib Mansoor and Anwer Maqsood. Moin, whose life and achievements
inspired others, is all sweetness and light and on top of that has never
let down his fans.
His wit
and wisdom took his fame to every nook and corner of this world. All his
shows have an enduring quality. Most importantly, he never lost his
power to inspire, entertain and even change lives.
From'
pilot Yaqoob' of 'Buddha ghar per hai' to 'Seth Manjoor' in 'Such Much':
'Kaan Aap ki phemli kidar hai', his ability to devote unswerving
attention to his task produced success in his field.
His
parody in English, Urdu, Sindhi, Bengali, Punjabi, Memon, Pushto,
Gujrati and many other dialects distinguish him from all other
entertainers. He was apt to be successful in Haseena Moin's television
comedy play, 'Eid train': 'Bhabi samosa khayia' and numerous other
programs like 'Studio Ponay teen', 'Show time', 'Half plate' and 'Excuse
me'.
Moin,
an adornment to the entertainment world, is a gift that keeps on giving:
His parody of a Bengali film director, Silver Jubilee in 1983: 'Mubeen
Aktar, kaum chahiye'. Is yet another example of the poise and
intelligence he displayed.
In the
process he transformed his life into an exciting adventure that
constantly challenges, rewarded and rejuvenated him. His parody of a bus
driver in Pushto accent, 'Aur aik baat hum bhi bata dayta hai', is yet
another instance of his artistry.
Moin,
the jewel of the Pakistani film, radio, television, stage and music,
whose eyes smile with the joy of today, the promise of tomorrow, said:
'I have confidence in my own abilities.'
Moreover, he has such good judgment and intuition, that he rarely makes
a wrong decision. Majority of Pakistanis believe that had there been an
artist of Moin's caliber in U.S.A. then the American people would have
carved his statues and the U.S. postal service would have issued stamps
of Moin Akhtar.
In
fact, Moin has raised his God gifted talents to compere and act to a
point where no other actor will be able to reach in the next hundred
years. Further, what distinguishes Moin from other comedians is his par
excellence-comedy of the highest quality.
Furthermore, Moin is the only host in the annals of the Pakistani
showbiz, who had the honor to be the host of maximum number of shows in
which the head of states from both Pakistan and abroad were invited:
He was
the host of the show in which King Husain of Jordan was invited.
He was the host of the show in which the Prime minister of Gambia,
Dawoodi-Al-Joza, was invited.
He was
the host of the show in which President Zia-ul-Haq was invited.
He was
the host of the show in which Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was
invited.
He was
the host of the show in which President General Yahya Khan was invited.
He was the host of the show in which President Ghulam Ishaq Khan was
invited.
Apart
from that, he was the host of the Imran Khan show, Dilip Kumar show and
Madhuri show.
During
Imran Khan show, Raza Murad of India, paid tributes to Moin in these
words: 'Moin is to stage as Imran Khan and Sunil Gavaskar are to cricket
and Dilip Kumar is to the films.'
This is
how Moin differentiates between a host and an actor: 'Actor is like the
passenger of the plane, while host is the captain of the plane'. The
success and failure of the show, according to Moin, depends on the host.
Moin
Akhtar was the host of the sixth Pakistan television award show, while
Shoaib Mansoor wrote and directed that show. Generally speaking, sixth
Pakistan television award show is considered the best award ceremony
ever held.
Additionally, Moin believes that Anwer Maqsood is the best writer he has
ever seen. The latter leaves no margin to add or edit the script.
Besides, Moin himself has written a lot for programs, but used the names
of other writers.
He
maintains that if he concentrates on writing, then he will be unable to
do justice as an actor and a host.
Moin
worked in the film 'Taaj daar'. He also appeared in the film 'Mr. K-2.'
Talking
of music, Moin is also a very good singer. Years ago numerous songs were
recorded in his voice, which were originally sung by Ahmed Rushdi.
Moin is
the master of parody. In the past thirty-eight years, he has copied the
voice and gestures of thousands of artists, including Mohammad Ali,
Waheed Murad, Mehdi Hasan, Ahmed Rushdi and many more.
He
appeared in various Pakistan television programs. Most prominent among
them was 'Rozi'. While playing the role of 'Miss Rozi', his
craftsmanship seemed effortless. He also worked in numerous stage shows
from Lahore, as well.
The
entire Pakistani nation had prayed for his health and longevity, when he
was admitted to the cardiac hospital, after suffering a heart attack.
He
hosted the Pakistan television show on the 'Martyrs of Kargil' He
interviewed the son of a Kargil martyr. Everyone in the audience became
very emotional as the child replied that following the footsteps of his
father, he, too, desires to achieve martyrdom to uphold the honor of his
country.
The
public was remarkably quiet and reflective. With tears in his eyes, Moin
concluded the show with these words: 'Who could defeat this nation whose
innocent little children have so much love and devotion for their
country'.
While
Moin is in our midst, one has to admit that there will never be another
Moin that is for sure.
Most
of all, triumphs of the human spirit keeps reminding us that there is
hope and there is wisdom.
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