Munawar Zarif (

Punjabi Punjabi, or Panjabi, most often refers to: * Something of, from, or related to Punjab, a region in India and Pakistan * Punjabi language * Punjabi people * Punjabi dialects and languages Punjabi may also refer to: * Punjabi (horse), a British Th ...

, ur, منور ظریف) (25 December 1940 – 29 April 1976) was a Pakistani film actor and comedian. His fans named him ''Shahenshah-e-Zarafat'' ( ur, شہنشاہِ ﻇﺮﺍﻓﺖ), meaning ''The Emperor of Humor'' or the ''King of Humor''. (Associated Press of Pakistan
Munawar Zarif remembered
The News International (newspaper), Published 30 April 2018, Retrieved 31 January 2022 He was one of the most popular and highest paid actors of the 1970s and is considered one of the greatest comedians of South Asia.39th death anniversary of Munawar Zarif today
Dunya News, Published 29 April 2015, Retrieved 31 January 2022

Early life and career

Munawar Zarif was born on 2 February 1940 in

Gujranwala Gujranwala ( ur, , label=none; ) is a city and capital of Gujranwala Division located in Pakistan. It is also known as "City of Wrestlers" and is quite famous for its food. It is the 5th most populous city proper after Karachi, Lahore, Faisala ...

, Punjab. He started his film career with a Punjabi film ''Dandian'' (1961). His breakthrough film was 1964's ''Hath Jori''. After starting as a comedian, he was promoted to playing second leads starting with the film ''Parday Mein Rehnay Do'' (1973). Subsequently, he was cast as the lead actor in films such as ''Banarsi Thug'' (1973) and ''Jeera Blade'' (1973). Possibly his most popular role was in 1974's ''

Naukar Wohti Da ''Naukar Wohti Da'' (Punjabi language, Punjabi: ﻧﻮﮐﺮ ﻭﻭﮨﭩﯽ ﺩﺍ) is a 1974 Pakistani, Punjabi film, starring Munawar Zarif in the lead role, opposite actress Aasia. The film tells the story of a hired husband. It was remade ...

'', which became a runaway hit. He received his first Nigar Award in "Special Award" category for his performance in ''Ishaq Deewana'' (1971). He won the Nigar Award in the "Best Comedian" category for '' Baharo Phool Barsao'' (1972) and ''Zeenat'' (1975). He appeared in more than 300 films in the span of just 15 years from 1961 to 1976.Profile and filmography of Munawar Zarif on livetv.pk website
Retrieved 31 January 2022 He was well-known for his Ad-Lib dialogue delivery.

Personal life

Munawar Zarif was younger brother of popular comedian Zarif. He was lifelong friend of fellow comedian

Ali Ejaz Ali Ejaz (21 October 1942 – 18 December 2018) was a Pakistani film and television actor known for his film roles in '' FBI Operation Pakistan'' (1971), ''Sona Chandi'' (1983), and ''Chor Machaye Shor'' (1996). He was given the Pride of Perfor ...

. His son Faisal Munawar Zarif debuted as an actor with films like ''Puttar Munawar Zarif da'' and ''Putter Jeerey Blade da'', but he couldn't find success.

Death

Zarif's family announced his death in Pakistan, on 29 April 1976. He died in Lahore due to Cirrhosis of the liver. He was laid to rest at ''Bibi Pak Daman Cemetery'', Lahore.In memory of comedian Munawar Zarif on his 42nd death anninversary
Pakistan Today (newspaper), Published 29 April 2018, Retrieved 31 January 2022

Legacy

Munawar Zarif is often regarded as one of the greatest comedians ever in Pakistani films. Fellow comedian and friend

recalled his ability to improvise lines on the spot and called him an 'extempore' comedian. Radio Pakistan Multan programme manager Asif Khan Khaitran reminisced about the success of Munawar Zarif and said: "There was a time in his career when writers would develop script with Munawar Zarif's personality in mind." Comedian

Umer Shareef Mohammad Umer (19 April 1960 – 2 October 2021), known professionally as Umer Shareef, was a Pakistani actor, comedian, director, producer, and television personality. Early life Mohammad Umer was born on 19 April 1960, into an Urdu speaki ...

called him "Mount Everest" of comedy and said that "for attaining fame in the field of comedy one must follow Munwer Zareef’s School of thought."

Filmography

1960s

1970s

Awards and honours

; Nigar Awards * Nigar Awards 1971 - Special Award for ''Ishq Deevana'' * Nigar Awards 1972 - Best Comedian for '' Baharo Phool Barsao'' * Nigar Awards 1975 - Best Comedian for ''Zeenat''