Remembering the man who made millions smile

Pakistani Legend Comedian Actor Safeer Ullah Lehri is being remembered on his eighth death anniversary today.

He passed away on this date in 2012 in Karachi at the age of 83. The death of comedian Lehri saddened his fans as well as members of the artist fraternity.

The legendary film actor, who is best known for his humorous roles, had been put on the ventilator for several weeks and was hospitalised due to acute chest congestion and low blood pressure.

Born in British India in 1929, Safeerullah Siddiqui moved to Karachi after partition and began working as a stenotypist during his teenage years.

Side by side, after completing his hours at the office, he would make ends meet by selling hosiery items in Saddar.

His big break came in the 1950s when director Sheikh Lateef decided to make Anokhi.

Lateef’s niece Sheila Ramani came from India to play the lead female role in the film, while actor Shad was chosen to play the hero, as his previous film, Naukar was a box office sensation.

After bagging the role of a comedian in the film, Siddiqui was christened Lehri, the name that became his identity during his 38 years in the film industry.

Out of the 225 films that Lehri made in his career, his comic roles in:

Mera Ghar Meri Jannat,

Tasvir,

Tum Salamat Raho,

Ishara,

Nai Laila Naya Majnon,

Tum Milay Pyaar Mila,

Bahadur,

Saiqa,

Naukar and Zameer won him outstanding appreciation and fame.

Lehri retired in late 1986; after his retirement, his health started deteriorating, then Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto set up a monthly stipend for him of Rs. 2,500, which he continued to receive until his last days.

He died on 13 September 2012 in Karachi, aged 83, from lung, kidney diseases, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart issues.

He had been under treatment and was on a ventilator due to prolonged illness in a private hospital at the time of his death.

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