Muhammad Ali, an end to a glittering career

The death occurred on March 19 of Pakistan's screen legend Muhammad Ali at his residence in Lahore after his long bout with cardiac ailments make an end to a glittering career. He was 75 and is survived by wife, actress Zeba and daughter Samina Ali.
Fondly known as Ali Bhai the towering personality of film industry in Pakistan, Muhammad Ali was honoured with a large number of awards during his long career in the glitzy world of cinema. A veteran, who commenced his career from Radio Pakistan Hyderabad, first as a broadcaster and later as a voice actor, he was spotted by hawk -eyed Fazal Ahmed Karim Fazli who offered him a role in his movie Chiragh Jalta Raha with Zeba and Deeba.
That was Ali Bhai's maiden film in which he played the role of a villain. Later, he was cast in Munawwar Rashid"s film Bahadhur, Iqbal Yusuf's movie, Daal Mein Kala and Javed Hashmi's Dil Nay Tujhe Maan Liya. In these films Muhammad was also enacted negative roles. However, Shararat was the first film in which Muhammad Ali played the role of a hero against actress Bahar. That blockbuster took his name and fame to every nook and cranny of Pakistan and Muhammad Ali became the idol of cine-goers.
Thereafter sky was the limit as far his popularity was concerned. The films, which won him ebullient praises and awards for his talent were Kaneez (directed by Hassan Tariq) 1965, Saiqa (directed by Laeeq Akhtar) 1968, Wehshi (directed by Hasan Tariq) 1971, Aas (directed by Ali Sufyan Afaqi) 1973, Aina aur Soorat (directed by Shabab Kiranvi), Haider Ali (directed by Masud Pervez) 1978, and Doorian (directed by Hasan Tariq) 1984.
Other memorable films in which Ali's talent was stretched to the maximum included Sajda, Nadia Key Paar, Baraat, Aag, Kinara and Jaan Pehchaan, his last film was Kiraey Kay Qatil, which was directed by S. Suleman and released in 1989. It was in the same year when Muhammad Ali was honoured by the government of Pakistan with the country's highest award, the Pride of performance Medal.
With so many mega hits to his credit Muhammad Ali emerged as one of Pakistan's celluloid legends, whose versatility in playacting and enacting different kinds of role will long be remembered. People representing different walks of life have paid glowing tributes to Muhammad Ali for both for versatile histrionic talent as well humanism and affable manners, which had won him admiration from a large number of people hailing from different strata of society.
He was especially praised for his single-minded devotion to his profession and a desire to help his colleagues and the poor in need. During his long career Ali Bhai was known to have helped several up-and-coming artistes, who were also inspired by his towering personality. Professional could not suppress his partisanship for the cause he believed in.
A man of unblemished character, Muhammad Ali gave his youth to the flowering of cinematic arts in Pakistan. Stunned by his death, Lollywood stars, colleagues, fans and friends mourned the death of one of Pakistani cinema's best-loved heroes at his residence. Known for his quiet dignity, Muhammad Ali became an icon of Pakistan cinema's golden era with starring roles in scores of films. For many he was respected as an elder statesman of Pakistan film industry.