Film actor Habib passes away

ISLAMABAD: Renowned film actor Habib-ur-Rehman better known by his screen name Habib, director, producer and television actor died in Lahore on Thursday after protracted illness.

Prior to his death he was admitted to hospital due to attack of brain hemorrhage in Lahore on 15th February, state-run TV reported. He was one of the busiest heroes of the industry and has established himself as one of most successful actors of Pakistani cinema. He has appeared both in Punjabi and Urdu language movies.

Habib was born in an agriculturist Arain family of Patiala state Punjab in British India. He was highly educated and was considered quite stylish in the film industry of Pakistan. Habib’s family migrated to Pakistan at the time of partition in 1947. He married fellow film actress Naghma.

He is father of two sons and four daughters from his first wife and another daughter from his second wife. He has been associated with the film industry as film actor, film producer from 1956 to 2016.

His breakthrough film was Aadmi in 1958. He made his debut in film Lakhat-e-Jigar (1956). He received an important role in the film Aadmi (1958) in Urdu hit films such as Ayyaz (1960) Zehr-e-Ishq (1958) Surayya (1961) Saperan (1961) Aulad (1962) Mehtab, Maa Ke Aansoo, Khandan, Aashiyana (1964) Fashion, Dil Ke Tukrey, Basheera (1972) Eid Mubarak (1965) Dil Aur Duniya, Haar Geya Insaan and Waqt.

His Punjabi films Mouj Mela (1963) was a super hit musical Golden Jubilee film. He took the role of a side hero in Pakistan s first Platinum Jubilee film Jeedar (1965).

His awards were Nigar Award for Best Actor Aadmi in 1958 Nigar Award for Best Actor Surayya in 1961 Nigar Award Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002. Habib was a versatile film hero in Pakistani films who played the young to old roles when he was on the peak of his film career. Habib was first film hero to complete 100 films landmark.

Meanwhile, President Mamnoon Hussain Thursday expressed profound grief and sorrow over the sad demise of veteran actor Habib.

In his condolence message the president stated that with the death of Habib Pakistan film industry had lost a great actor, adding that his services for the country would forever be remembered. The president prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul and commiserated with the bereaved family.