LAHORE: Popular comedian and theatre artiste Tariq Teddy passed away on Saturday. He was 46.

Teddy had been fighting liver disease and breathing issues for quite some time but his condition worsened a couple of weeks back when he was admitted to a private hospital. He was later shifted to the Punjab Kidney and Liver Institute (PKLI). His son, Junaid, told Dawn that his father’s condition got stable four days ago; however, it deteriorated later. Since then he was on a ventilator in the intensive care unit.

Teddy’s brother, Shehbaz, told Dawn the artiste had been suffering from liver issues for the last one year or so.

The late actor is survived by a son and two daughters. He was laid to rest on Saturday in a Sabzazar graveyard.

Teddy was born in Faisalabad in 1976. He did not complete his education and studied until 6th grade only. His family was in furniture business but he became a theatre actor and started commercial theatre career back in the 1990s.

He was launched in commercial theatre by one of the famous producers and directors of commercial theatre Naheed Khanum. He had a great pairing with the late Mastana. Teddy’s sharp sentences and utmost wit earned him an exceptional place among his colleagues at the Punjabi commercial theatre to which he made a great contribution. He travelled to the districts across Punjab and performed in theatres there.

Teddy also acted in a film, titled Salakhain, which was screened in 2004. He also worked in TV in a programme hosted by Wasi Shah. He continued to bring smiles to the people’s faces with his humour regardless of his distressing health problems.

His famous stage plays include Mama Pakistan, Abhi To Mein Jawan Hoon, Do Rangeley, Betho Betho Lea Dala, Asli Tay Naqli, Jhoot Bolda, Mirch Masala, Ghoonghat Utha Loon and Eid Da Chan.

Published in Dawn, November 20th, 2022