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Syed Shafaat Ali mimics Pakistan's most famous politicians (and gets threats for it too)

Syed Shafaat Ali mimics Pakistan's most famous politicians (and gets threats for it too)

Imran Khan, Bilawal Bhutto and more... this comedian impersonates them all! Who's the man behind the voice? We find out
Updated 03 Dec, 2016

There's a new face going viral on Pakistan's social media scene; this time it's a comedian.

Syed Shafaat Ali has made himself well-known (on Facebook, at least) with his hilarious impersonations of politicians and celebrities.

Born in Peshawar but currently residing in Lahore, Shafaat has been in the media industry for quite some time, with popular program like GEO TV's BNN (Banana News Network) under his belt.

"My career kick-started in November 2006 when I became a part of the Four Man Show," says the comedian. "We had a segment on the show in which we would prank call people pretending to be famous personalities. At times I would impersonate Pervez Musharraf, sometimes Shaukat Aziz. Before this I had never really done impersonations and had never thought I'd be doing something like this."

However, his claim to fame is a video he posted on Facebook which immediately got everyone's attention.

"I haven't received one but countless threats [for my impersonations]. Just recently I received a tweet from Senator Saeed Ghani, an affiliate of Pakistan People's Party, asking me to steer clear of Bhutto impersonations, and that upset me because people here still don't understand comedy. We belong to the entertainment industry and I don't know why politicians take it so seriously," says Shafaat.

"Sadly, it's the parties which call themselves liberals who give me the hardest time. Thankfully, however, most people enjoy my impersonations and I've received a lot of positive responses."

But Shafaat Ali has made it a point to keep these threats away from his family. He jokes, "My wife is already suffering because of me; she has to put up with me practicing impersonations on a daily basis. If I get a threat I usually don't tell anyone in my family, I discuss it with my close friends and try to sort it out."

Despite the sudden popularity Shafaat has mixed feelings about his viral video.

"When this video became viral, I was a little upset because I've been in the entertainment industry for a long time, but when numerous social media pages shared my video, people commented asking, 'Who is he?'. To which many responded with fake information like, 'I know this guy, he was in my school' and other such ridiculous things. That's when I realised that social media has now become way more powerful than television," he says.

And this is only the beginning of Shafaat Ali's career. He hopes to become the a great stand-up comedian and bring Pakistan's stand-up comedy to an international platform. He pointed out that currently, besides Saad Haroon, there are no known stand-up comedians representing Pakistan internationally.

Does he feel threatened by competition from other local comedians? He answers in the negative.

"I respect everyone, they're all doing a good job however, my style of comedy focuses on my voice and in my field there is less competition," he says. "Personally, I want to string together stand-up comedy and impersonations because I feel it's a good fusion."

His international icon is American comedian Jimmy Fallon, whose comedic style he admires, and from the local pool he admires comedian Mir Mohammad Ali.

The social media sensation is also eyeing the film industry and waiting for the right film to work in.

"I would love to work in a film which leaves a lasting impact on society, something like Na Maloom Afraad or Jawani Phir Nahi Ani or Actor in Law. So I am waiting for an offer to work in a film like that. At the moment though I'm also writing a film as I have previously written the scripts for BNN, Four Man Show and Mere Aziz Hum Watnon."

"Some things are God-given but you have to keep practicing," says Shafaat of teaching his talent to others. "There's no dearth of talent in Pakistan but most Pakistanis lack the courage to pursue their passion. From my end I have started a campaign 'Comedy for a Cause' where I hope to have comedy sessions within schools and colleges and discuss serious matters and issues in the form of comedy."

He adds, "Of course, comedy can't solve the problems but maybe it will help in dealing with the issues and will be able to raise voices on matters that are important."


The writer can be reached on Twitter.

Comments

ashar Dec 03, 2016 12:36pm
I am worried of his security
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FRedy Dec 03, 2016 12:42pm
What a talent !!!!
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imran Dec 03, 2016 12:52pm
Wondeful talent. Keep it up young man.
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Wishful Thinking Dec 03, 2016 12:54pm
Awesome... man...
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A Aziz Dec 03, 2016 12:58pm
Syed Shafaat you are indeed a talented actor. I'm sure late Moin Akhter would have been your big fan. Keep it up and thank you for showing the realities of politics through a lighter dimension.
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AW Dec 03, 2016 01:14pm
Syed Shafaat Ali is incredibly good. We should all be proud of his talent and performance. Generally, our society lacks humor and there is less appreciation for comedy relating to impersonating famous personalities which remains a problem for many inspiring comedians.
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Raman Dec 03, 2016 01:17pm
May your tribes live a long life! Sadly politicians in birth Pakistan and India do not have sense of humor and that is the fact. They take all this impression of them very personally including with a threat as this fellow faces. Sad indeed.
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Abdul Dec 03, 2016 01:26pm
A little information about his early education, school etc in this article would have clarified the fake information that is going on in social media about him as mentioned above.
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Khalid Iqbal Dec 03, 2016 01:28pm
Wow. Wonderful. He is a unique talent. BBZ's mimicry is an exact prototype. And I hope that he survives all those brutes who would disallow or threat him.
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Atif Dec 03, 2016 01:30pm
This guy is simply the best. His mimicry is second to none. Very talented guy indeed. Politicians to plz focus on good governance and make themselves exemplary and not to politicize a talented comedian. Keep up the good work buddy.
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Ramesh Krishnan Dec 03, 2016 01:44pm
This guy is awesome...
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syed shahzad bukhari Dec 03, 2016 01:45pm
Excellent parody
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S. A. M. Dec 03, 2016 01:50pm
very talented boy.
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Mahmood Dec 03, 2016 01:58pm
Pakistani politicians need to grow thicker skin if they cannot stand anyone pocking fun at them, or even highlighting their follies and foibles, in this age of instant communication , YouTubes and Instagrams. Obama, Trump, European heads of state, even the Queen and the Pope are regularly lampooned and satired in Western media all the time, and none of them gets offended, because people see how close to reality it is. Only Pakistani politicians, and of course Mr. Erdognan of Turkey get irked, when someone shows them the proverbial mirror. Enough to resort to threats, intimidations and even law suits. Difference: Third world leaders take themselves too seriously, are insecure and do not appreciate humour, much less free speech.
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handsome man Dec 03, 2016 02:12pm
i hope he find good rishta
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The end is near Dec 03, 2016 03:47pm
Amazing talent. 100 % perfect. God bless you my friend.
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Samad Chaudhry London Dec 03, 2016 03:55pm
Simply superb!
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Afzal Nadir Dec 03, 2016 04:03pm
really very talented young man. He is really second to none. Our society lacks such kind of humorous people. Well done keep it up. At the same time I also fear of his security, because our politicians are, like other persons of society, not tolerant like other countries. I pray for his safety and long life.
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izhar Dec 03, 2016 04:50pm
Politicians, keep focused on good governance and betterment of Pakistan, rather than run after people who give some entertainment to the masses.....your leaders are no gods..
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truth prevails Dec 03, 2016 04:54pm
Superb!! Keep entertaining all! Love from India!!
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Ahmed Dec 03, 2016 04:55pm
wonderful performance.......well done...
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khanm Dec 03, 2016 04:55pm
What kind of society we really live in ...no tolerance of any kind.. Good humor may be said to be one of the very best articles of dress one can wear in society.
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Zac Dec 03, 2016 05:06pm
The reason our leaders are so touchy and get threatened by people like this guy is because they are insecure men with big egos but little in terms of human achievement. This guy has talent - more than we can say about any of these politicians. But if you make fun of the lords in front of peasants, you better watch your back. More power to him!
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ahmed dcosta braganza Dec 03, 2016 05:44pm
Hope you are safe and we get to see your next video.
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shakir hussain Dec 03, 2016 06:10pm
wonderful ali, but be safe as well
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Fazle hussain Dec 03, 2016 08:44pm
My hands up salute to Shafaat Ali
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shyam Dec 03, 2016 09:26pm
You are brilliant Bro!Move out of Pakistan if they threaten you. You will make it big time anywhere.Good luck.
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PakSal Dec 04, 2016 12:48am
Hilarious LOL ...
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Zak Dec 04, 2016 01:07am
Excellent. A internationally budding talent. Politicians should just fade away, let the people decide.
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sri1 Dec 04, 2016 01:10am
Very nice bro. Hope that they allow you to do "aaloo ande" kind of parodies too. But then, where the heck are those talented people anymore :-) All the best and keep up the shows.
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Concerned1 Dec 04, 2016 01:16am
So talented stay safe chap
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ga Dec 04, 2016 04:15am
He can't be human. His face and voice turn into the very people he is immitating. Too good.
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brar Dec 04, 2016 04:21am
wonderful artist so perfect in impersonation I pray for his well being take care dear .
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Shahzad Akhund Dec 04, 2016 04:21am
Great, Syed Shafaat Ali. You have a natural gift. Keep it up and improving. Good luck.
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Sallu bhai Dec 04, 2016 06:01am
Shame on those that are threatening this talented comedian!!
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DIL DIL PAKISTAN Dec 04, 2016 10:29am
Please stop comparing him with legendry Moin Akhtar.
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SAQIB UK Dec 04, 2016 11:14am
this just made my day, was laughing out loud in the office. Awesome stuff. Keep it up brother.
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FARRUkh Dec 04, 2016 01:34pm
Very pleased to see emerging talent of Shafat ali. He is an excellent performer and a true voice of nation. What I suggest is not to take names of politicians in videos which perhaps irritate some people. Keep satire on lighter note so it don't hurt anyone sentiments. Keep it up!
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Mirza Dec 04, 2016 03:36pm
Excellent talent, he is at his best when acts like Bilawal and Altaf. Bro keep it up how about Fazlu.
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sapna Dec 05, 2016 12:46am
An amazing artist, give joy to many with his comedy. God bless him.
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MA Dec 06, 2016 11:28am
Talented.
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