Written by: Muhammad Suhayb
Posted on: June 05, 2023 | 
| 中文
Chand Humsafar and Akhtar Viqar Azim
Have you ever wondered how people who work in TV, cope with pressure! After reading Akhtar Viqar Azim’s Hum Bhi Wahan Maujood Thay (I too was present there), one can have a fair idea of how things rolled at a National Television Centre, and how difficult it was to cut through the red-tape. Coming out in 2015, the book is an account of Akhtar Viqar Azim’s nearly 40-year association with Pakistan Television (PTV). It is partly autobiographical, in which the writer has discussed his personal life, and also described the unforgettable moments at the PTV.
Akhtar Viqar Azim with Mushtaq Ahmad Yusufi
In the second book, Chand Humsafar, Akhtar Viqar Azim started from where he had left in the first. He introduces the reader to his contemporaries who laughed, cried, disagreed and made friends like we all do. Instead of division in programs or eras, Akhtar’s second book has chapters for his companions who were there during his ‘journey’. All of them made his ascent from a Producer to a Managing Director memorable, and he shares some interesting anecdotes. The division of chapters is done in alphabetical order; therefore, the book begins with the legendary broadcaster Agha Nasir. Nasir was already there when Akhtar was a newbie at the PTV. Akhtar spoke highly of Agha sahab and was aware that in case of any problem, he could turn to him. The first chapter traces Agha Nasir’s rise to the top as well as his habits in a way that the reader gets to know him better. Agha Nasir had a love-hate relationship with his bosses, and had to sit out for days. Considered the father of television in Pakistan, Aslam Azhar followed Agha Nasir, who commanded immense respect from everyone at the PTV. He kept the same pattern for all of them, tracing their origins, habits and first encounter with him, for the remaining 42 personalities in the next 36 chapters, yet each chapter carried a different feeling. Except for a few sportsmen and Benazir Bhutto, the sole politician, nearly all the personalities were somehow connected to the PTV.
Akhtar Viqar Azim (center) with Benazir Bhutto
The longest chapter (12 pages) is in alphabet ‘Ain’, featuring Arif and Obaid; it traces the origin of the famed show, ‘Kasauti’ and its impact on the viewers. The cool temperament of Iftikhar Arif (pre-poetry days), and the short-tempered Obaid Ullah Baig are described in an amusing manner. The book carries the story when Qudratullah Shahab was sent by the government to check whether the program was fixed; Shahab was floored when they guessed his person within the allocated time.
A still from 'The Encounter' program on PTV
There are three 11-page chapters, which are dedicated to Aslam Azhar, his brother Sunny and the Kamals. Aslam Azhar, Akhtar’s first boss at the PTV, mentored many newcomers and captivated them with his charismatic personality. He gets a befitting tribute from his protégé, followed by the chapter on his younger brother and veteran TV producer Athar Viqar Azim a.k.a. Sunny, which is as long as the chapter on his ‘boss’. Athar is described in a way that those who haven’t met him, would try to meet him and those who know Athar personally, would vouch for what the writer has penned. The third and last ‘eleven-pager’ belongs to the Kamals of PTV; Kamal Ahmed Rizvi a.k.a Allan, Producer Fazal Kamal and PTV’s first make-up man Kamal Ahmed. The writer’s first meeting with Kamal Ahmed Rizvi as a kid, turned him into a fan-for-life, who later took care of him when they were staying in London. Fazal Kamal, the director of the first drama Nazrana on PTV, gets his due recognition as his warmth used to bring out the best in those working with him. The most famous interview was with Kamal Ahmed, when Aslam Azhar hired him after he answered his only question with focus and precision. The chapters concerning Rasheed Umer Thanvi, son of the famous writer Shaukat Thanvi, would have you in fits. Thanvi joined PTV with Akthar, they were together in many of their (mis)adventures and hilarious activities. Zia Mohyeddin also has a special place in the book, and the origin of his signature ‘thaika’ (rhythm) would surprise you; it was not written by a renowned poet but was an attempt at poetry by Rasheed Thanvi and others.
Akhtar Viqar with his brother, Sunny (Athar Viqar Azim)
It’s a blessing that Akhtar Viqar Azim never tried his luck as a writer, and remained with the production set-up. As a true professional, he has praised his seniors, has shared funny incidents that happened in the early days of his career, and his description of legends-in-the-making, has made the book, Chand Hamsafar, worth a read.
With books on showbiz personalities rare in Pakistan, Chand Hamsafar can also serve as a reference book, which has valuable information on drama writers like Munnu Bhai, Haseena Moin, Fatima Suraiyya Bajya; teachers like Sufi Tabassum and Shoaib Hashmi, celebrities of the caliber of Tariq Aziz and Naeem Bukhari, journalists Farhad Zaidi and Burhan Uddin, poets Himayat Ali Shair, Parveen Shakir and Dilawar Figar, Reshmaan and Khalil Ahmed covering the music department, Javed Miandad, Asif Iqbal, Qamar Zaman, Jahangir Khan, and commentators like Zakir Hussain Syed, Munir Hussain, Farooq Mazhar and SM Naqi to name a few.
Akhtar Viqar Azim with Asif Iqbal
I still remember an episode from the Tariq Aziz Show aired in late 2010s, where the host displayed the picture of a famous compere and science enthusiast on television, Prof. Laeeq Ahmed (he also has a chapter of his own in the book). No one from the entire hall was able to identify the man who, with minimal facilities, did commentary on the famous moon landing of Apollo 11 in 1969, live on Television. Prof. Laeeq Ahmed who had appeared on PTV in the ‘90s, had been forgotten. For a nation which cannot remember those who have played a role in their upbringing, books like Chand Hamsafar can play a positive role.
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