RECENTLY he has been awarded Sitara-e-Imtiaz, an honour which has taken more than a lifetime for many people. But then again, it does seem that Moin Akhtar has already devoted a lifetime providing laughs and entertainment to the needy, both within and outside the country. However, this is not the first accolade bestowed upon him. Earlier, in 1992 he was honoured with the Pride of Performance Award.
Once on being asked why he entered the territory of making people laugh, Moin Akhtar said “I found the city to be depressed, and so was I, so I thought why not try and contribute my part in making the city cheer up”. However, his ability to make people laugh does not mean that he likes comedy movies. “I like suspense movies because all the time they keep you in anticipation, what will happen next and while watching them you need to put a lot of concentration. So suspense is the only thing which makes one go on till the last moment,” says Moin.
Moin has never admired vulgarity which is quite evident from the work he’s done for TV, stage and cinema. The same holds true for his choice in movies. His favourite film is Air Force One. “Well as such there is no particular reason which makes me mark Air Force One my most favourite movie. I just like this movie.” The Negotiator is another movie he likes and here as well, he’s all for the flick just because it is the kind of thriller and mystery he always appreciates.
And as far as acting is concerned, Moin is not stuck with just one name. At times he finds a lot of names to his interest be it Harrison Ford, Mel Gibson and the like.
On being asked about the Indian movies Moin says he is not very much into Indian movies. “I watch Indian movies but not that much,” says he. But when asked to name at least one Indian movie he likes the most he says: “Well then I would say Shakti is my most favourite movie. And the reason is Amitabh Bachan and of course Dilip Kumar’s performance.”
Not surprisingly Moin considers Dilip Kumar as an institution: “That is why I like him very much.”
As for Pakistani movies, Moin says: “Pakistani movies used to be very good when the industry was in the age of innocence. Kamal Pasha, S. Suleman and some other directors really did a great work in the olden days. Nowadays, vulgarity and glamour has marred the quality of Pakistani movies. Besides you don’t find a good story, good script, good composition and there are so many factor behind it.” However, Javed Sheikh’s Yeh Dil Aap Ka Hoa seems to have really pleased Moin. Says he: “Nowadays, when the quality of Pakistani movies has worsened, Javed Sheikh has come up with a perfect treat. I will give the movie 100 out of 100.”
In music, Moin has a very pleasant and gentle taste. “I always enjoy listening to soft music which is a rare thing these days as the majority don’t seem to enjoy it that much,” says he. Of the numerous voices that he enjoys listening, Nancy Sinatra and Johnny Matthew top the list. But which is his most favourite number? “Well in western music if I were to choose my most favourite number, it would be Frank Sinatra’s Strangers in the Night.”
While as far as eastern music is concerned, he enjoys listening to Mehdi Hasan and Jagjit Singh. “Mehdi Hasan is a great name of the subcontinent. I have always loved his songs and ghazals and the number I enjoy the most is Gunchay-e-Shoque,” says Moin. As for his likeness for Jagjit’s work, Moin confesses to loving the ghazal, Ye To Nahi Ke Gham Nahi. However, while differentiating between the two, Moin puts Mehndi Hassan on a higher position. “Well no doubt Mehndi sahib is the best singer the subcontinent has ever produced. He sings ghazals in a very classical way by using those typical instruments. On the other hand, Jagjit has quite modernized ghazals. He has used all the latest instruments like piano, guitar, etc.” says Moin.
It might be news for the lot of you but apart from acting Moin has himself sung a number of songs. However, it remains a hobby and the comedian never exploited it for commercial purposes. Says Moin: “Singing has always been my hobby. I never sang professionally; in fact I sang amateur because to be a good singer you really have to work hard, practice a lot and be perfect. It’s not just remembering a few jokes and standing in front of people.”
Coming to books, Moin claims to be a lover of literature. Says he: “I have tried to read every good (well known) author’s work. When I started reading English books I read all the big names and same is the case with Urdu literature. I have read Azeem Chugtai, M.A. Yusufi and others,” explains Moin.
However, when asked to name the one book he really likes, he names the divine revelation of the Holy Quran. Says Moin, “The Holy Quran is without a doubt the best book in the Universe and thus my favourite. I love it because it’s a complete book. There is not a single thing left to be written in it. The Holy Quran touches every aspect of life and directs humanity in every walk of life. While reading the Holy Quran you always get to know something and never ever come across losing anything. To me, it’s a rehbar, a guide which lets you know about the good and the bad,” Moin goes on to explain. Moin strongly recommends everyone to read Holy Quran.
“I even recommend non-Muslims to read the Holy Quran because it is not only meant for Muslims. It is intended for the betterment and prosperity of humanity and to me, we should read it with meanings so that we could understand it easily.”
RECENTLY he has been awarded Sitara-e-Imtiaz, an honour which has taken more than a lifetime for many people. But then again, it does seem that Moin Akhtar has already devoted a lifetime providing laughs and entertainment to the needy, both within and outside the country. However, this is not the first accolade bestowed upon him. Earlier, in 1992 he was honoured with the Pride of Performance Award.
