KARACHI: Renowned television actor Sohail Asghar passed away on Saturday after a protracted illness, his family members said.

They said his health started deteriorating after he underwent a surgery about a year ago.

His funeral prayers will be held in Bahria Town on Sunday (today).

Born in Multan in 1954, Sohail Asghar started his career in the mid-70s from Radio Pakistan’s Lahore station after completing his education. He was encouraged by artist Ajmal Khan who supported him in getting work at the radio station.

During the same decade, his fellow artists said, Asghar started appearing in stage shows and he finally decided to choose acting as a career.

Actor’s performance in Chand Girhan was widely applauded

His introduction to TV took place in the early 80s as Asghar Nadeem Syed gave him a chance in his serial Aasmaan, which was produced by Mohammad Azeem. He acted in several TV dramas and became one of the renowned artists of the country by the early 1990s.

His acting skills earned him recognition in several dramas of PTV Lahore centre, including Laag, Piyas, Manchalay kaa Sauda and Kajal Ghar. The role of a feudal lord that he played in drama serial Chand Girhan on a private TV network took him to new heights of popularity.

According to Dawn.com, Asghar made his debut on the silver screen in 2003 with the film Murad. In 2004, another of his films called Mah-e-Noor was released and his performance in it was met with critical acclaim.

Condolence messages poured in over the actor’s sudden demise from fellow artists, dignitaries and senior political leaders.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Pakistan Peoples Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari expressed deep grief and sorrow over his death.

In a condolence message, federal Minister for Information and Broa­dcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain while paying tribute to his skills both as a stage and television actor called his death a great loss to the showbiz industry.

Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar also expressed his deep grief and sorrow over Asghar’s death. In his condolence message, he said: “Late Sohail Asghar was a versatile artist. The dramas of Sohail Asghar are still alive in the memories of his fans. Beautiful chapter of acting has come to an end.”

Published in Dawn, November 14th, 2021