Veteran actor Anwar Ali passes away at 71

LAHORE: Legendary stage and television actor Anwar Ali breathed his last in Lahore on Monday night after a prolonged illness. He was 71.

Family sources confirmed that the veteran comedian had been battling multiple health issues, including paralysis, lung and kidney complications, as well as a heart condition. His condition worsened over the weekend, leading to his admission to a local hospital on Sunday. Despite being shifted to the ICU, he could not recover.

Speaking to a private channel, his son said the family had been bracing for the inevitable as his health had been deteriorating for months.

The news of his death sparked an outpouring of grief on social media. Fans, fellow actors, and theatre colleagues paid rich tributes.

Anwar Ali began his career on the Punjabi stage in the 1970s, quickly earning a name for his quick wit and sharp humour.

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He shared the stage with icons like Mastana, Babu Baral, and Iftikhar Thakur, becoming one of the pillars of Lahore’s theatre scene.

He also acted in many television shows including Sona Chandi, Janjal Pura, Nishani (1979), and Khuda Bakhsh (1989).

He also made his name while appearing in comedy talk shows like Khabarnaak (2010), where his humour and warmth won hearts across generations.

Anwar Ali performed in more than 500 stage plays and over 100 television productions. He was honoured with multiple awards, including PTV’s Lifetime Achievement Award and accolades from the Punjab Arts Council.

President Asif Ali Zardari expressed deep sorrow over his passing, paying tribute to the actor’s services to performing arts. “Anwar Ali’s contributions to theatre and television will always be remembered,” the president said while extending condolences to the bereaved family.