Actor Lehri laid to rest

Saturday, September 15, 2012 - Karachi—Famous comedian actor Lehri was laid to rest amid tears and sobs here on Friday. A large number of his fans, family members, neighbours, politicians, social workers and other people participated in his funeral. The actor passed away on Thursday after protracted illness in a private hospital of the city.

Lehri, 83, remained admitted to several hospitals of the city over for treatment of his chronic disease diabetes. He was currently admitted to a private hospital, where he was taken off the ventilator, as his condition continually deteriorated. His real name was Safirullah Siddiqui.

Lehri is one of Pakistan’s greatest comedians who made his name in Urdu films. His film career started in the 1950s and lasted until the 1980s. Lehri won the Nigar Award for around a dozen films. The late Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto pro-vided him with a monthly stipend of Rs2,500 during her first tenure, which he continues to receive, though there has been no increase in the amount. Lehri’s first film “Anokhi” was released in 1956, and his last production was Dhanak in 1986. The vast majority of his films have been in Urdu, though he did perform in a few Punjabi productions. —INP