Munawar Zarif


Munawar Zarif was a Pakistani comedian and film actor. He was a versatile actor and comedian best known for his work in the Pakistani cinema of the 1970s. He was one of the most popular and highest paid actors of his time. His fans named him ‘Shehenshah-i-Zarafat’ or the ‘King of Humor’.

Early life and career

He was born on 25 December 1940 in Gujranwala, Punjab. He started his film career from a Punjabi film Dandian in 1961 and got a breakthrough in the film Hath Jori in 1964. After a film career as a comedian, he became a film actor, first as a side-hero in film Pardey mein rehney doe and then in the title roles and hero in the same year in film Banarsi Thugg and Jeera Blade. He was awarded the Nigar Award on his outstanding performance in Baharo Phool Barsao, Zeenat and Ishaq Deewana. He appeared in more than 300 films in just 16 years from 1961–76. He was also famous for his Ad-Lib dialogue delivery. Often he would improvise so much that his fellow actors would have trouble keeping up with him.

Death

On 29 April 1976, he died at U.C.H, Lahore due to . Munawar Zarif was laid to rest at Bibi Pak Daman Cemetery, Lahore.

Filmography

His films include:
TitleLanguageYear
DandiyanPunjabi1961
Haath JoriPunjabi1964
MalangiPunjabi1965
Bharia MelaPunjabi1966
Imam Din GohaviaPunjabi1967
Parde Min Rehny DoUrdu1968
Diya Aur ToofanUrdu1969
Heer RanjhaPunjabi1970
RangeelaPunjabi1970
Dil Aur DuniyaUrdu1971
Baharo Phool BarsaoUrdu1972
ZiddiPunjabi1973
Ajj Da MehinwalPunjabi1973
Banarsi ThugPunjabi1973
KhushiaPunjabi1973
Rangila Aur Munawar ZarifPunjabi/Urdu1973
Jeera BladePunjabi1973
Manji Kithay DahwanPunjabi1974
Naukar Wohti DaPunjabi1974
Hasday Aao Hasday JaoPunjabi1974
ZeenatUrdu1975
Sharif BadmashPunjabi1975
Sheeda PastolPunjabi1975
Shoukan Melay DiPunjabi1975
Jano KapattiPunjabi1976
Chitra Tay SheraPunjabi1976
BadtameezPunjabi1976
Reshma Tay SheraPunjabi1976