Gorija informed Kiranvi that he brought 'Gope' to him. In fact, 'Gope'
happened to be a fat Indian actor at the time. Khawar had a close
resemblance to 'Gope'. Hence, Gorija gave Khawar the nickname, 'Gope.'
Presumably, director Kiranvi was not in his best mood at that time. He
said that since Khawar looked more like a wrestler than an actor, he
should try his luck in a wrestling ring. Dejected, both Khawar and
Gorija left Kiranvi's room.In
1964, a comedy program 'Dum baaz dum saaz' used to be broadcast from the
Radio Pakistan's Lahore station. In that program, a clever, selfish
person always took advantage of his foolish partner and exploited him.
During those days, a writer by the
name of Kamal Ahmed Rizvi, took interest in the script of 'Dum baaz dum
saaz.' Long story short, Rizvi gathered a superb team of dedicated
artists, and launched a weekly comedy show, 'Alif Noon.'
Thus, 'Dum baaz dum saaz' led to the
creation of 'Alif Noon' in 1965, from the Lahore television station.
Kamal Ahmed Rizvi wrote the script for 'Alif Noon' and he also filled in
the role of 'Allan', or the clever guy.
On the contrary, Rafi Khawar in his
real life was an embodiment of innocence. Moreover, the public used to
smile whenever they looked at his innocent face. He appeared very funny
even when he sat still.
Hence, Khawar was the perfect choice
for the role of 'Nanha' in 'Alif Noon' or the foolish guy, who was
exploited by the crook 'Allan.'
'Alif Noon' attained so much
popularity, that it became the greatest comedy program in the forty-one
year history of Pakistani television. No other comedy show could come
close to it to date.
The story took a strange twist in
1965. Director Shabab Kiranvi was overwhelmed by Nanha's acting prowess
in 'Alif Noon.' He inquired from Gorija if Nanha was the same person who
was introduced to him as 'Gope' in the past.
Gorija said 'yes' and Kiranvi
requested Gorija to immediately bring Nanha to his office. This time
Kiranvi wasted no time and signed Nanha for his next film.
Amazingly enough, Kiranvi offered him
the role of Nanha. Thus, Nanha debuted in the film 'Watan ka sipahi' in
1966. Nanha performed innumerable characters in his twenty-one year
movie career, from 1965 to 1986.
He achieved name, fame and respect
beyond his imagination. In his personal life, Nanha astonished his
coworkers with peculiar behaviors.
For instance, airplanes frightened
Nanha. Similarly, he was afraid of the seaside and kept away from
beaches his whole life. Also, he could not stand the sight of blood. His
weak heart could not endure the sight of blood.
speaking about his preferences,
perfumes were his weakness. His favorite past time was shopping for a
quality perfume.
Reverting to his movies, Nanha's
innocent looks were all the more evident in director Shabab Kiranvi's
1967 golden jubilee film 'Insaniyat.'
Nanha held memorable roles in movies
including the three below:
The film 'Badla' May 24, 1968.
The film 'Dhee Rani, October 24, 1969.
The film 'Att Khuda da wair' October
9, 1970.
Along the way, Nanha achieved
legendary status by influencing and shaping Pakistani consciousness.
Moreover, special effects in some of his films are awe inspiring and
their insertion into the narrative was seamless. Nanha's three movies
below are from a more graceful era:
The mega hit film 'Aansu', July 30,
1971.
The film 'Parday mein rehnay do',
April 27, 1972.
The film 'Aas' August 10, 1973.
Nanha's ability to devote unswerving
attention to a task produced unprecedented results in his field. Below
are three examples:
The film 'Samaaj', January 5, 1974.
The film 'Sharafat' August 7, 1974.
The film 'Pyar ka mausum' April 4,
1975.
Throughout his life, Nanha never lost
his power to inspire, entertain and even change lives. He continued to
exert a unique fascination through movies like the one below:
The diamond jubilee film 'Shabana'
November 12, 1976.
Nanha was a natural actor, and there
were genuinely sweet moments between him and his co-artists. As for his
talents, director Zafar Shabab's 1977 movie 'Bharosa' still retains its
enchanting freshness.
The film 'Shama-e-mohabbat', July 14,
1977.
The super hit film 'Nazrana' June 9,
1978.
In recent years a new generation is
rediscovering the virtues of the classic 'Nanha' movies,through the
highly successful revivals of the films like the one below:
The platinum jubilee film 'Aawaz',
October 27, 1978.
Nanha's acting was an exquisite blend
of tenderness and joy. A quick example is director Shabab Kiranvi's 1979
film 'Waday ki zanjeer.'
Nanha worked in two hundred fifty
movies in his magnificent movie career. It is hard to believe he created
enough characters to keep us interested twenty years later. His sense of
humor was intact in director Nazar Shabab's 1979 film 'Tarana.'
The film 'Miss Hong Kong', November 3,
1979.
The film 'Sher Khan' August 2, 1981.
Occasionally, Nanha played his part
with the sobriety no other comedian could have imagined. Talking of his
films, movies like 'Aawaz', was followed by another spate of outstanding
films like the three below:
The film 'La jawab' February 13, 1981.
The film 'Sungdil' April 2, 1982.
The film 'Dillan day sauday' February
24, 1983.
Nanha lent his artistic talents
wholesomely to Pakistani cinema. A case in point is director Dada
Nazar-ul-Islam's 1983 movie 'Love story.'
Those movies were a concerted effort
by any stretch of the imagination. The direction is almost gushing in
its admiration. Over and above, Nanha's convincing performance upholds
the sentimentality of the time. Below are three examples:
The film 'Ishq pecha' April 27, 1984.
The film 'Churiyaan' April 5, 1985.
The film 'Aakhri jang' August 17,
1986.
Nanha's last film was 'Pasuri Badshah',
which was released five years after his death in 1991.
Allan and Nanha also appeared as guest
stars in the Pakistani television Award show, which was hosted by Moin
Akhtar.
Nanha won the Nigar Award for best
supporting actor for the film 'Bharosa' in 1977.
Nanha won the Nigar Award for best
comedian for the film 'Love story' in 1983.
It is said that love is blind. This
holds too true in case of Nanha.' He fell in love with
actress-cum-dancer, Naazli. Essentially, Nanha failed to recognize three
major flaws in his blind romance:
First of all, there was no occasion
for such a gimmick in his working life.
Second of all, Nanha was too old for
that actress.
Third of all, it was a one-sided
affair,since only Nanha was interested in the girl and not the other way
around.
Too bad, Naazli's rejection cost him
his life. Nanha committed suicide on June 2, 1986, in Lahore, the city
he loved most.
The noted comedian, who smeared smiles
on the faces of millions of moviegoers for more than two decades, left
them in tears.
Rafi Khawar may be
gone. But the super-performer, Nanha, of 'Alif Noon', lives on.
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