In memoriam: Moin Akhtar — the legend lives on - Pakistan

E-Paper | July 28, 2026

Today marks the fourth death anniversary of the multifaceted actor and comedian Moin Akhtar, whose roles still resonate deeply with people.

Born on December 24, 1950 Moin Akhtar entered the entertainment industry in 1966 when his parody act of popular actor Muhammad Ali brought him into the limelight.

After this there was no stopping Akhtar. His long-standing double act with writer Anwar Maqsood made him an icon, and when Bushra Ansari joined them the resulting comedy was matchless.

Moin Akhtar acts in a play.— Courtesy photo

Talking to Dawn.com, actor and present Napa Programmes Director Arshad Mehmood said of Moin Akhtar:

“I knew him since a long time and this would be enough to say that he was indeed a huge artist but he was not just a great artist, he was a far greater human being.”

Acclaimed actor Samina Peerzada also shared her memories with the late comedian:

“I have worked with Moin in both theatre and TV and I had an amazing time with him. He was truly an icon, a legend. There was nobody like him and there will be no one like him. I truly miss him,” she said.

"He was an extremely funny and he would always have a prank up his sleeve. Ullu bohat banatay thay, and he would pull it in such a serious way that anyone would fall for it," she added.

In an earlier interview with Dawn.com, Anwar Maqsood remembered him as the ‘best star in a night sky’:

“I have never seen such a professional yet such a careless person in my life,” he said.

Reminiscing about him, the writer known for his powerful satire had said that no actor could have done what Moin did for him.

“There are many good actors in India and Pakistan. But I couldn’t find an actor like Moin, neither in Pakistan nor in India.”

Veteran actor Qazi Wajid also echoed similar thoughts in the same interview. For him, Moin Akhtar was an extremely humble man who never addressed him by taking his name. As for his skills, Qazi Wajid said: “He was a master performer.”

His adaptability was undoubtedly his greatest strength: from speaking fluent Urdu to English, Bengali, Hindi, Pashto, Sindhi or Punjabi, Moin Akhtar could become anyone he willed: he was a perfect behroopiya, an impersonator.

His acts were not only lauded in Pakistan but he was admired in India as well by the likes of Dilip Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan.

Moin Akhtar with Dilip Kumar.— Photo courtesy: pak101

He is famous for his impeccable performance in shows like 'Rozi', 'Half-Plate', and 'Family 93'. His theatre performance with Omer Sharif in ‘Bakra Qiston Par’ and ‘Buddha Ghar Pe Hai’ is also remembered as one of the best stage-shows, as the genre has seen a decline in recent years.

Moin Akhtar with actor Zeba Shehnaz—Courtesy photo

He was last seen making others chuckle in the popular show Loose-Talk which saw faux interviews of Moin Akhtar by Anwar Maqsood as he pulled on innumerable roles ranging from a labourer, politician, transvestite and even a dictator. It was Loose-Talk which made sure that the newer generation knew the art of being Moin Akhtar.

Along with many accolades, he was conferred the Pride of Performance in 2012.

Following a cardiac arrest, Moin Akhtar passed away on April 22 2011 in his hometown, Karachi.

Pakistan

Zoya Anwer is a Dawn.com staffer.

She tweets @AnwerNaqvi.

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Asim Munir

Apr 22, 2015 02:23pm

Moin was the one and only PTV actor in his domain with no parallel. I sometimes watch his play 'Rozi'.

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syed wasim haider

Apr 22, 2015 02:24pm

We cannot forget u our beloved Moin Akhtar.

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Raza

Apr 22, 2015 02:25pm

He was a true Star.

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Mrs. Khan

Apr 22, 2015 02:27pm

The world Legend truly fits him. He will be always missed. A great actor and even a greater human being. We grew up watching him on the TV. When he died, I cried like someone from family had passed away :( and I still feel the same.

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Fahad Iqbal

Apr 22, 2015 02:31pm

Actors like him were institutions within themselves. Alas! we don't see more of these people coming anymore.

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SUMA

Apr 22, 2015 02:34pm

The Bangladeshi Crickets Interview in loose talk is right up there with any world class comedians/impersonators performance. The Class act, every body should watch that loose talk interview and they will never forget Moin Akhtar in their whole life. I watched it 100 times, still and it doesn't fill my comedy hunger.

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Admirer

Apr 22, 2015 02:38pm

Truly a legend .....salute u sir

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Umer Salahuddin

Apr 22, 2015 02:44pm

To call Moin a comedian is not justice to him. He was a true actor who adopt himself in any role given to him. There will be no other Moin Akhter.

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haris

Apr 22, 2015 02:57pm

RIP, we really miss him. I don't know how many times in past 7 years I have watched and re-watched his plays. the newer generation should spent their energies learning and replicating what (Late) Moin Akhter did in his career, instead following trendy and fad superstars of today. Most recently I have watched an interview of Indian legend Om Puri along with Naseeruddin Shah. While addressing the performance gap between old and new guards, he said one important thing. He claimed that it's hard to make a parody or mimicry of an artists who transformed himself/herself to the character so deeply. He also means that there are not much actors who perform in such a way. I think Moin Akhter is one of them. Can anyone think of making a parody of him? If Yes, then which style of Moin Akhter would that person adopt?

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Noman

Apr 22, 2015 03:59pm

He was a very good friend of my nana, they both used to work together. I recall the times he used to visit my nana's place and they would play laugh, eat, play cards, and have super-extended goodbyes. A lovely person to have around, may you rest in peace.

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Tabish

Apr 22, 2015 04:04pm

He is an Ambassador of Smile, Man of million Characters and many more...

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Tabish

Apr 22, 2015 04:06pm

He was an Ambassador of Smile, Man of million Characters and many more.

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moazzam

Apr 22, 2015 04:38pm

We really miss him a lot. What a great actor and person he was. May God bless him with the highest rank in jannah

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khanm

Apr 22, 2015 04:41pm

Indeed a true legend. we will all miss him for many years to come. Folks..Legends are material to be molded, and not facts to be recorded.

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Kabeer

Apr 22, 2015 05:09pm

Moin Akhtar was not a simply an outstanding actor he was and he is a school of arts for new comer in the field

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Kabeer

Apr 22, 2015 05:11pm

Government should institute an Award after his name

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Apr 22, 2015 05:12pm

You are alive in our thoughts and prayers Marhoom Moin Sahib..

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Rehmani

Apr 22, 2015 05:13pm

Moin Akhtar. We can not forget you. You live in our hearts

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Arslan

Apr 22, 2015 05:40pm

His voice is still in my ears (:

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Shiraz

Apr 22, 2015 05:51pm

One word - Legend !

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S.K.SHARMA

Apr 22, 2015 07:12pm

You are equally admired & missed in India.

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JUSTICE

Apr 22, 2015 07:19pm

R.I.P .... He will always remembered as great actor, no one will ever replace him. God bless his soul.

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shaz

Apr 22, 2015 07:41pm

No doubt, he was legend, God bless his soul in peace Amen.

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Abdul Malik

Apr 22, 2015 08:01pm

I knew him in 1967 when he was not so well known and was doing private shows in peoples homes and appartnent building along with music director Late Karim Shahabudin. I still remember him doing shows in Garden East area without a proper PA system. He used to use the old Grundig Spool Tape Recorder's mike for PA system.

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Jalbani Baloch

Apr 22, 2015 08:29pm

You were indeed true Pakistani, who is equally loved people of all faith and languages. You shall remain in our hearts for ever.

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amir ismail

Apr 22, 2015 08:56pm

I feel u still with us..........

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DR. SHAZIA

Apr 22, 2015 10:01pm

I remember when a relative was living in the USA at the time when Moin Akhtar was the emcee for a tour in America by some Pakistani actors, musicians and singers including Runa Laila. I believe this tour took place in the late 1970's when Mr. Akhtar marhoom was at his most popular. Mr. Akhtar was invited to my great-aunt and uncle's home in Washington, DC for dinner where he met some American State Department and Congressman. According to my relatives, all were highly impressed with him on many levels and to this day he is not only a legend in South Asia, some Americans were also his fans : ))

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Sarmad

Apr 22, 2015 10:43pm

Sharjeel, if you read this know that your piece is very stirring. I wish to point out that beyond the comic relief that your legendary father offered to millions of fans in South Asia, he was also a symbol of resilience to those who knew of his struggles. He was the hallmark of what was once known as Pakistaniat.

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Molana

Apr 22, 2015 11:02pm

He was real talent of Pakistan, not psedutalents of Pakistans that are roaming in India these days.

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Dil Dil Pakistan

Apr 22, 2015 11:38pm

unfogettable

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Mohammed

Apr 23, 2015 12:25am

A genius. Rest in peace brother.

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Jalaluddin S. Hussain

Apr 23, 2015 12:55am

I will always remember this line from Moin Akhtar: "Mein shadi karonga tau sirf monhabbat kee...." Roughly translated: I will marry only after falling in love

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assam

Apr 23, 2015 01:08am

Really liked him in the role of bangladeshi cricketer...RIP...great actor..respect

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SBB

Apr 23, 2015 01:47am

All very true.. great memories of great performances by Mr Akhtar.. Thanks and wish him the very best.

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Apr 23, 2015 03:50am

He died of abroken heart. In some of his last interviews you can see how sad he was to see the state of the country he loved and the total disregard of human life. A legend and a caring man

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IFTIKHAR KHAN

Apr 23, 2015 04:17am

Above all I think he was a good human being a good Pakistani

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Jawed Naqvi

Apr 23, 2015 07:43am

Moin Akhtar was a peerless mimic. He was a complete actor. It would be limiting him to say he was the best in South Asia. We don't even know the havoc he would have inflicted on an unsuspecting global audiences. Strangely enough, I got a whole set of Loose Talk sent me last week by Masud Hamid, my Karachi friend who passed away tragically two days after giving me the gift of Moin Akhtar's priceless videos. Strange, just like life.

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AJK

Apr 23, 2015 08:24am

indeed he was not just a great artist, he was a far greater human being.

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Syed Irfan Ali

Apr 23, 2015 10:05am

Please double check the year of his Pride of Performance. Was he awarded posthumous?

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Abu-Salmaan

Apr 23, 2015 12:45pm

@Raza Yes he was man of his own kind and very talented. Pakistan has lost a great person in the show business.

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Rishi

Apr 23, 2015 04:52pm

Late Moin Akhtar was a gem and one of a kind. Subcontinent and Pakistan in particular was really honored to have him. A true exponent of Art, I still watch Loose Talk over Youtube, although he started his career mimicking Late Mohammed Ali, he was no less than the latter himself. It is because of him that I got to know of Mohammed Ali and rest. May his soul rest in peace. Greetings from India

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Fanu

Apr 23, 2015 04:57pm

Really a magnanimous legend, lost so early....

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hamid shafiq

Apr 25, 2015 12:30pm

i do not write any words for moin becuase his work in his field is more than to write any words for him for their work. i still watch his old dramas and play in home and feel the moin took all things of good drama acting with his new world

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