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Umer Shareef

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Not to be confused with Omar Sharif.
Umer Sharif
TI
عمر شریف
Umer Shareef in 2017
Born
Mohammad Umer

(1955-04-19)19 April 1955
Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
Died2 October 2021(2021-10-02) (aged 66)
Nuremberg, Germany
Resting placeAbdullah Shah Ghazi Mazar, Clifton, Karachi[1]
Occupations
  • Actor
  • Host
  • Comedian
  • Director
  • Producer
  • Writer
  • Singer
  • Television personality
Years active1969–2021
TitleKing of Comedy[2][3]
Spouses
  • Deeba Omer
  • ​
    ​
    (m. 1995; div. 1998)​
  • Zareen Ghazal
    ​
    (m. 2005⁠–⁠2021)​
Awards Tamgha-e-Imtiaz
Comedy career
Medium
  • Stand-up
  • film
  • television
Genres
Subject(s)

Mohammad Umer (19 April 1955 – 2 October 2021), known professionally as Umer Shareef, was a Pakistani actor, host, comedian, director, producer, writer, singer and television personality.[4][5]

Umer began his career at the age of 14 with stand-up comedy and later worked in around 60 stage comedies as well as numerous television shows and films, where he not only acted but also directed and produced.[6]

Early life

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Mohammad Umer was born on 19 April 1955,[7] into a middle-class Muhajir family in Liaquatabad, Karachi.[8] The youngest of his siblings, he lost his father when he was 4.[9]

Career

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Stage work

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In 1969, Umer started his career from Karachi as a stage performer at the age of 14.[10] He joined theatre, using the stage name Umer Zarif, modelled after his favourite comedian Munawar Zarif, but later renamed himself to Umer Sharif following Egyptian actor Omar Sharif that he admired due to the 1962-movie Lawrence of Arabia.[8]

In 1976, he wrote the stage play Bionic Servant, inspired by the American TV series Six Million Dollar Man, where Moin Akhter was an actor, marking their first collaboration.[9]

Some of his extremely popular comedy stage plays were 1989's Bakra Qistoon Pe and Buddha Ghar Pe Ha.[8]

Sharif became a very popular star during this period.[8] Much of the success came from the fact that he started to record his stage shows and his videotapes were rented out in a similar manner to movies.[8] Yes Sir Eid and No Sir Eid were among the first stage plays to come out on video.[8]

Television

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In 2002, Sharif wrote his first TV serial, Parda Na Uthao.[9]

In October 2009, he started hosting his own late-night talk show, The Shareef Show, on Geo Entertainment. He interviewed many actors, entertainers, musicians, and politicians on the show.[8] Another of his shows was Umer Sharif vs Umer Sharif, where he donned over 400 get-ups.[9] He also appeared as a guest judge on the Indian stand-up comedy show The Great Indian Laughter Challenge, alongside Navjot Singh Siddhu, and Shekhar Suman.[8]

Films

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Sharif's first movie was Hisaab (1986) but he's better known for Mr 420 (1992), a movie where he not only acted but also directed, wrote and sung in, that led to a revival of Pakistan's cinema till 1998.

He would work in some 35 films, his last movie being Chand Babu (1999), that he directed, produced and acted in.

Awards

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Sharif received National awards for Best Director and Best Actor in 1992 for Mr. 420. He received ten Nigar Awards. Sharif was the only actor to receive four Nigar Awards in a single year. He received three Graduate Awards. Sharif was also a recipient of Tamgha-e-Imtiaz.[11][12]

Politics

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In 2007, Sharif announced he had joined MQM, saying he had done so because the party was open-minded and ‘best for Karachi’.[13] In 2011, backed by the MQM, he ran for the presidency of the Karachi Arts Council. But the PPP-backed candidate, Ahmed Shah, defeated him.[13]

Humanitarian work

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In 2006, the Umer Sharif Welfare Trust was formed with the stated goal of creating a "state of the art health centre that provides services free of cost."[14]

Controversies

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For the 50-year anniversary of Pakistan's independence, Sharif performed a play called Umer Sharif Haazir Ho. In the play, a representative from many occupations were called into court and asked what they had done for Pakistan in the past 50 years. The Lawyer's Association stated a case against Sharif as a result.[15]

Illness and death

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On 10 September 2021, Pakistani television host and news anchor Waseem Badami posted a video of Shareef on Instagram where he requested the then Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan to facilitate cancer treatment for him overseas.[16][17][18] Soon after the video came out, Indian singer Daler Mehndi also appealed to Prime Minister Imran Khan for immediate treatment for Sharif.[19][20] On 11 September 2021, the government formed a medical board to decide whether or not to send him abroad for treatment.[21] He was granted a United States visa for medical treatment on 16 September 2021[22] and the Sindh government also approved 40 million rupees for his treatment.[23][24] Despite all these projects, on 2 October 2021, he died in a hospital in Nuremberg, Germany,[25][26] at the age of 66.[27]

Influence and legacy

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Referred to as the "King of Comedy", Sharif is considered to be one of the greatest comedians of South Asia.[28] Popular Indian comedians like Johnny Lever hailed him as "The God of Asian comedy".[29]

Leading Pakistani in show business and political leaders offered their condolences including Mehwish Hayat, Hareem Farooq and Imran Khan.[30][31][32][33]

Selected filmography

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Stage dramas

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  • Bakra Qiston Pay Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (1989)[11]
  • Dulhan Main Lekar Jaonga
  • Salam Karachi (2005)
  • Andaz Apna Apna
  • Meri Bhi To Eid Karade
  • Nayee Aami Purana Abba (2004)
  • Yeh Hay Naya Tamasha (1993)
  • Yeh Hay Naya Zamana (2003)
  • Yes Sir Eid No Sir Eid[11] (1989)
  • Eid Tere Naam
  • No Parking (1985)
  • Samad Bond 007
  • Nach Meri Bulbul
  • Lahore se London
  • Angoor Khatay Hain
  • Petrol Pump
  • Lotay te Lafafey[15]
  • Loot Sale (2004)
  • Half Plate
  • Meri Jaan Thanedaar
  • Umar Sharif in Jungle
  • Beauty Parlour (1998)
  • Makeup Room
  • Chaudhary Plaza (2004)
  • Mamu Mazak Mat Karo (1993)
  • Hum Se Milo
  • Yeh To House Full Hogaya
  • Bakra Munna Bhai (2004)
  • Behrupia
  • Lal Qile ki Rai Lalu Khet ka Raja
  • Chand Baraye Farokhat (2003)
  • Hanste Raho Chalte Raho (2003)
  • Umar Sharif Hazir Ho[15] (1997)
  • Baby Samjha Karo
  • Doctor aur Kasai
  • Budha Ghar Pe Hai[11]
  • Eid Aashiqon Ki
  • Nehle pe Dehla
  • One Day Eid Match (1992)
  • Police Ho To Aisi
  • Paying Guest (2003)
  • Aao Sach Bolain
  • Flight 420
  • Coolie 420
  • Hamsa Ho To Samn Aaye[11] (1994)
  • Walima Taiyar Hai
  • Filmi Pariyan
  • Akbar e Azam in Pakistan
  • Jeet Teri Peda Mera
  • Shadi Magar Aadhi
  • Bebia
  • Mano Meri Baat
  • Gol Maal
  • Female Ki Email
  • Eidy Chupa ke Rakhna
  • Dulha (2002)
  • Corner Wali Haveli
  • Valima tayar hai
  • Laal kilay ki rani, laloo khet ka raja
  • Tera baqra mera qasai
  • Nayee ammi purane abbu
  • Kia cheez hai Pakistani

Films

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Year Title Actor Director Producer Writer Singer Language Notes
1986 Hisab Yes No No No No Urdu [34]
1987 Kundan Yes No No No No
1992 Mr. 420 Yes Yes No Yes Yes [34]
1993 Mr. Charlie Yes Yes No Yes Yes
1994 Khandan Yes No No No No Urdu/Punjabi [35]
Laat Sahb Yes No No No Yes
Ghunda Raj Yes No No No No Punjabi
Zameen Aasman Yes No No No No Urdu/Punjabi [36]
But Shikkan Yes No No No No
1995 Mastana Mahi Yes No No No No Punjabi
1999 Chand Babu Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Urdu

Television shows

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Year Show Role Channel Notes
2009 The Shareef Show Host Geo Entertainment
2005–2008 The Great Indian Laughter Challenge Guest STAR One
2005 Omer Sharif vs Omer Sharif Host/Actor Geo Entertainment

References

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  1. ^ "Legendary comedian Umer Sharif buried at Abdullah Shah Ghazi graveyard". The News International (newspaper). 6 October 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  2. ^ "Comedian Umer Sharif is returning to the stage". SAMAA TV. 26 April 2019. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  3. ^ "Pakistan's 'king of comedy' Umer Sharif dies at 66". Aljazeera. 2 October 2021. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  4. ^ "Renowned comedian Umer Shareef hospitalised". Daily Times. 11 May 2017. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
  5. ^ "Pakistani comedian Umer Sharif in Dubai". Gulf News. 27 May 2019. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
  6. ^ "Pakistani comedy star Umer Sharif dies, Kapil Sharma offers condolences". Hindustan Times. 2 October 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2023. The actor, who started his career at 14 with stand-up comedy, has worked in around 60 stage comedies, and television shows. He also produced, directed and acted in two big movies.
  7. ^ "Legendary comedian Umer Sharif passes away at 66 in Germany". Dawn News. 2 October 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2023. He was born on April 19, 1955.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h "Pashto Cinema". Pashto-cinema.blogspot.com. 7 May 2011. Retrieved 16 November 2014.
  9. ^ a b c d Suhayb, Muhammad (11 October 2021). "Saying goodbye to the 'King of Comedy' Umer Sharif". Dawn News. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  10. ^ Iftikhar, Muhammad Omar (3 October 2021). "The man who made the world laugh". Daily Times. Retrieved 20 March 2023. At the age of 14, in 1969, he began performing on stage.
  11. ^ a b c d e "Umar Sharif's top five stage shows". The Express Tribune. 2 October 2021. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  12. ^ "Pakistan's comedy legend Umer Sharif passes away at 66". The Economic Times. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  13. ^ a b Paracha, Nadeem F. (10 October 2021). "A MIRROR OF KARACHI". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  14. ^ MAA Hospital – Omer Sharif Welfare Trust
  15. ^ a b c Biography – Omer Sharif Archived 11 September 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  16. ^ "Umer Sharif appeals PM Imran Khan for cancer treatment facilitation". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  17. ^ "Watch: Comedian Umer Sharif requests PM Imran Khan to facilitate his cancer treatment". www.geo.tv. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  18. ^ "Waseem Badami pleaded with PM to help Umer Sharif". BOL News. 10 September 2021. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  19. ^ "Daler Mehndi appeals to PM Imran to help comedian Umer Sharif". Dunya News. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  20. ^ "Indian singer Daler Mehndi requests PM Imran to help Umer Sharif". Daily Pakistan Global. 11 September 2021. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  21. ^ "Centre forms board to decide whether Umer Sharif must be sent abroad for treatment". www.geo.tv. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  22. ^ "Veteran comedian Umer Sharif granted US visa for medical treatment". www.radio.gov.pk. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  23. ^ "Funds released for Umer Sharif's medical expenses". The Express Tribune. 20 September 2021. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  24. ^ "Sindh govt sanctions Rs40 million grant for Umar Sharif". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  25. ^ "Pakistani comedian Umer Sharif passes away, Kapil Sharma pays a tribute to the legend". The Times of India. 2 October 2021. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  26. ^ "Pakistani actor Umer Sharif dies at 66, Kapil Sharma says 'goodbye legend'". The Indian Express. 2 October 2021.
  27. ^ "Pakistan's 'king of comedy' Umer Sharif dies at 66". Al Jazeera. 2 October 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  28. ^ "Umer Sharif's birthday bash hosted by Nida and Yasir". 20 April 2021.
  29. ^ "Umar Sharif, the Pakistani comedian who made a troubled nation smile". ThePrint. 2 October 2021. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  30. ^ "Anupam Kher, Jaaved Jaaferi remember 'humanitarian' Umer Sharif". The Express Tribune Newspaper. 3 October 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
  31. ^ "Unbearable loss: Veteran comedian Umer Sharif passes away". The Express Tribune. 2 October 2021. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  32. ^ "Showbiz fraternity condoles Umer Sharif's death". Dunya News TV. 2 October 2021. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  33. ^ "PM, Politicians condole Umer Sharif's death". The Nations. 2 October 2021. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  34. ^ a b "Omer Sharif, who made generations of Pakistanis laugh, passes away". Samaa TV. 2 October 2021. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  35. ^ "Khandan". Pak Film Magazine. 25 March 1993.
  36. ^ "Zameen Aasman". Pak Film Magazine. 4 October 2021. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
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