SCRF pays tribute to iconic humorist Moin Akhtar

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Comedy and theatre lovers got the best of both worlds as veteran playwright Anwar Maqsood reprised a much loved role for a special stage adaptation at the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF) in a moving tribute to his long-term partner Moin Akhtar.

“For 36 years of my life, I wrote for Moin and for every script, he put in an exemplary performance,” said Maqsood, who wrote over 400 episodes of the wildly popular Loose Talk series that’s garnered close to half a billion views on YouTube alone since its launch by Pakistani TV network ARY digital.

“Moin was greedy for good scripts because he knew great scripts made great actors. I stopped writing for Loose Talk after his death. Actors like Moin will remain alive until the end of the world.”

Presented by Bazm-e-Urdu – UAE’s first and the only licensed social club dedicated towards the upliftment of the Urdu language – the play “Tribute to Moin Akhtar with Anwar Maqsood” saw Maqsood play the interviewer as part of Tu Bol (You Say), based on the original Loose Talk that stopped production after Akhtar’s death in 2011.

Actor Yasir Hussain filled in for the legendary Akhtar, facing Maqsood’s questions – first as a common man, then a Pakistani minister followed by Harmonium Nawaz, a sub-par musician.

The hour-long play mixed satire with comedy to take the audience on a nostalgic journey through Akhtar's illustrious career, reminiscing about his iconic performances and the laughter he brought to millions of people.

The start of the play saw a screening of a documentary featuring unforgettable moments from life and times of Akhtar who is often considered a one-of-a-kind parodist and the king of Urdu comedy for his unparalleled talent, wit, and charm.