Mohammad Umer (19 April 1960 – 2 October 2021), known professionally as Umer Shareef, was a Pakistani actor, comedian, director, producer, and television personality.
Karachi
Karachi (; ur, ; ; ) is the most populous city in Pakistan and 12th most populous city in the world, with a population of over 20 million. It is situated at the southern tip of the country along the Arabian Sea coast. It is the former c ...
.
Career
Stage work
In 1974, Umer started his career from Karachi as a stage performer at the age of 19. He joined theatre, using the stage name Umer Zarif but later renamed that to Umer Sharif. Some of his extremely popular comedy stage plays were 1989's ''Bakra Qistoon Pe'' and ''Buddha Ghar Pe Ha.''
Sharif became a very popular star during this period. Much of the success came from the fact that he started to record his stage shows and his
videotape
Videotape is magnetic tape used for storing video and usually sound in addition. Information stored can be in the form of either an analog or digital signal. Videotape is used in both video tape recorders (VTRs) and, more commonly, videocasse ...
s were rented out in a similar manner to movies. ''Yes Sir Eid'' and ''No Sir Eid'' were among the first stage plays to come out on video.
Television
In October 2009, Sharif started hosting his own late-night talk show, '' The Shareef Show'', on
Geo TV
Geo Television Network is a television channel based in Pakistan. It was established in May 2002 and is owned by the Jang Media Group. The channel began its test transmission on 14 August 2002, with regular transmission beginning on 1 October 2 ...
. He interviewed many actors, entertainers, musicians, and politicians on the show. He also appeared as a guest judge on the Indian stand-up comedy show ''
The Great Indian Laughter Challenge
''The Great Indian Laughter Challenge'' is an Indian reality stand-up comedy series produced by Endemol India. The first four seasons aired on STAR One from 15 June 2005 to 26 September 2008.
The show's fifth season premiered on 30 September 201 ...
Shekhar Suman
Shekhar Suman (born 7 December 1962) is an Indian actor, anchor, producer, director, and singer.
Personal life
Shekhar Suman married Alka Suman on 4 May 1983, and has a son Adhyayan Suman, a Bollywood film actor. An older son, Aayush, died o ...
.
Awards
Sharif received National awards for Best Director and Best Actor in 1992 for Mr. 420. He received ten
Nigar Awards
The Nigar Awards ( ur, , translit=Inʿām Negār, lit=Picture Awards) were presented in an annual award show to recognize outstanding achievement in Pakistani cinema. The honors are awarded by Nigar Magazine founded in 1948. The Nigar Awards ...
. Sharif was the only actor to receive four Nigar Awards in a single year. He received three Graduate Awards. Sharif was also a recipient of
Tamgha-e-Imtiaz
Tamgha-e-Imtiaz () also spelled as Tamgha-i-Imtiaz, is a state-organised honour of Pakistan. It is given to any civilian in Pakistan based on their achievements. While it is a civilian/military award, it can be bestowed upon officers of the P ...
.
Humanitarian work
In 2006, the Umer Sharif Welfare Trust was formed with the stated goal of creating a "state of the art health center that provides services free of cost."
Controversies
For the 50-year anniversary of Pakistan's independence, Sharif performed a play called ''Umer Sharif Haazir Ho''. In the play, a representative from many occupations were called into court and asked what they had done for Pakistan in the past 50 years. The Lawyer's Association stated a case against Sharif as a result.Biography – Omer Sharif
Illness and death
On 10 September 2021, Pakistani television host and news anchor Waseem Badami posted a video of Shareef on Instagram where he requested the then
Prime Minister of Pakistan
The prime minister of Pakistan ( ur, , romanized: Wazīr ē Aʿẓam , ) is the head of government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Executive authority is vested in the prime minister and his chosen cabinet, despite the president of Pa ...
Imran Khan
Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi ( ur}; born 5 October 1952) is a Pakistani politician and former Cricket captain who served as the 22nd Prime Minister of Pakistan from August 2018 to until April 2022, when he was ousted through a no-confidenc ...
facilitate cancer treatment for him overseas. Soon after the video came out, Indian singer Daler Mehndi also appealed to Prime Minister Imran Khan for immediate treatment for Sharif. On 11 September 2021, the government formed a medical board to decide whether or not to send him abroad for treatment. He was granted a United States visa for medical treatment on 16 September 2021 and the Sindh government also approved 40 million rupees for his treatment. Despite all these projects, on 2 October 2021, he died in a hospital in
Nuremberg
Nuremberg ( ; german: link=no, Nürnberg ; in the local East Franconian dialect: ''Nämberch'' ) is the second-largest city of the German state of Bavaria after its capital Munich, and its 518,370 (2019) inhabitants make it the 14th-largest ...
, Germany, at the age of 61.
Influence and legacy
Referred to as the "King of Comedy", Sharif is considered to be one of the greatest comedians of
South Asia
South Asia is the southern subregion of Asia, which is defined in both geographical
Geography (from Greek: , ''geographia''. Combination of Greek words ‘Geo’ (The Earth) and ‘Graphien’ (to describe), literally "earth descr ...
. Popular Indian comedians like
Johnny Lever
Johnny Lever (born John Prakash Rao Janumala; 14 August 1957) is an Indian actor and popular comedian who is known for his works in Hindi cinema. He is one of the first stand-up comedians in India. He is the recipient of numerous accolades, in ...
hailed him as "The God Of Asian Comedy".
Leading Pakistani in show business and political leaders offered their condolences including
Mehwish Hayat
Mehwish Hayat (born 6 January 1988) is an Pakistani actress who primarily works in Urdu films and former television. She made her debut in film with comedy ''Jawani Phir Nahi Ani'' (2015) and later went on to '' Actor in Law'' (2016). Hayat i ...
Imran Khan
Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi ( ur}; born 5 October 1952) is a Pakistani politician and former Cricket captain who served as the 22nd Prime Minister of Pakistan from August 2018 to until April 2022, when he was ousted through a no-confidenc ...
(
Prime Minister of Pakistan
The prime minister of Pakistan ( ur, , romanized: Wazīr ē Aʿẓam , ) is the head of government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Executive authority is vested in the prime minister and his chosen cabinet, despite the president of Pa ...
).
Filmography
Stage dramas
* ''Bakra Qiston Pay Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5'' (1989)
*Dulhan Main Lekar Jaonga
* ''Salam Karachi'' (2005)
* ''Andaz Apna Apna''
* ''Meri Bhi To Eid Karade''
* ''Nayee Aami Purana Abba'' (2004)
* ''Yeh Hay Naya Tamasha'' (1993)
* ''Yeh Hay Naya Zamana'' (2003)
* ''Yes Sir Eid No Sir Eid'' (1989)
* ''Eid Tere Naam''
* ''No Parking'' (1985)
* ''Samad Bond 007''
* ''Nach Meri Bulbul''
* ''Lahore se London''
* ''Angoor Khatay Hain''
* ''Petrol Pump''
* ''Lotay te Lafafey''
* ''Loot Sale'' (2004)
* ''Half Plate''
* ''Meri Jaan Thanedaar''
* ''Umar Sharif in Jungle''
* ''Beauty Parlour'' (1998)
* ''Makeup Room''
* ''Chaudhary Plaza'' (2004)
* ''Mamu Mazak Mat Karo'' (1993)
* ''Hum Se Milo''
* ''Yeh To House Full Hogaya''
* ''Bakra Munna Bhai'' (2004)
* ''Behrupia''
* ''Lal Qile ki Rai Lalu Khet ka Raja''
* ''Chand Baraye Farokhat'' (2003)
* ''Hanste Raho Chalte Raho'' (2003)
* ''Umar Sharif Hazir Ho'' (1997)
* ''Baby Samjha Karo''
* ''Doctor aur Kasai''
* ''Budha Ghar Pe Hai''
* ''Eid Aashiqon Ki''
* ''Nehle pe Dehla''
* ''One Day Eid Match'' (1992)
* ''Police Ho To Aisi''
* ''Paying Guest'' (2003)
* ''Aao Sach Bolain''
* ''Flight 420''
* ''Coolie 420''
* ''Hamsa Ho To Samn Aaye'' (1994)
* ''Walima Taiyar Hai''
* ''Filmi Pariyan''
* ''Akbar e Azam in Pakistan''
* ''Jeet Teri Peda Mera''
* ''Shadi Magar Aadhi''
* ''Bebia''
* ''Mano Meri Baat''
* ''Gol Maal''
* ''Female Ki Email''
* ''Eidy Chupa ke Rakhna''
* ''Dulha'' (2002)