Written by: Muhammad Suhayb
Posted on: September 27, 2021 | 
| 中文
Talat Iqbal with actress Shaista Qaiser in PTV drama Roshan Manzil
Talat Iqbal entered into the film industry with his role Anwar in the movie Aag Aur Aansoo in 1976. Using a payphone to call his sweetheart, Iffi, played by Babra Sharif, the 25-years-old Anwar kept asking ‘itna tu thehro savera honay do’, but Iffi fell asleep. Sung by Ahmed Rushdi and Mehnaz, the song, ‘sonay do ke raat ke hogaye ponay do’ (Let me sleep because it is almost 2 am), became an overnight hit and Talat was the darling of the youth.
Today’s youth might not remember Talat Iqbal as he had been away from the showbiz industry for quite some time, but the song might take them back in time.
Talat Iqbal, in his own words, was an actor by chance. Born in December 1950 in Karachi, fate opened its doors for him wherever he went. It was during his college days that he was introduced to Radio Pakistan by his family friend and a renowned poet, Obaidullah Aleem. In 1968, he got the opportunity to play a small role on TV, in a serial called ‘Insaan aur Aadmi’. By 1974, he was a popular face of Radio and Theatre shows in Karachi. John Ellay, a Theatre director, came from the USA to stage some plays in various cities of Pakistan, and he was awe struck by Talat Iqbal’s performances. He was instrumental in getting Talat the lead role in PTV’s drama Saibaan.
Talat Iqbal in drama serial Saibaan
With luck on his side, he got offers from Lahore to star in the slowly declining Urdu films. Talat starred in Anokhi (1976) with Shabnam, Aag aur Aansoo (1976) with Babra, and double version Pashto/Urdu action film Sholay Pe Shola (1977) with Nimmi (Naureen).
The political turmoil hit his film career hard, as the movement against Prime Minister ZA Bhutto brought the film industry to a standstill. Talat returned to Karachi to play Tahir Bin Yusuf in the famous TV serial Aakhri Chatan, based on Naseem Hijazi’s novel of the same name. It was his iconic performance that won him laurels and made him a household name.
Talat Iqbal in his drama Aakhri Chattan
The list of his famous dramas includes Shikaste Aarzoo, Mehvar, Paivand, Aabgeenay, Kaarvan, Uljhan and Fatima Surayya Bajjia’s Aagahi. He played the role of a prosecutor in the controversial Muqaddam-e-Kashmir, aired in the 90s on PTV, Jinnah Poonja in Jinnah se Quaid tak (1998) and a Naval Officer in Operation Dwarka (1996).
Talat Iqbal in drama serial Karawaan
Throughout the 80s, he acted in various plays and his leading ladies were Khalida Riyasat, Shaista Qaisar and Neelma Hasan. With an attractive smile, elegant personality and a good sense of humour, he could win friends in no time. His timing in the comedy long play, Ulat Pher, was a proof of his wit, where he was pitted against Imran Peerzada, brother of veteran TV actor Usman Peerzada. With an expressive voice, Talat was known to be a good singer in his college days, and even gave voice overs to famous TV ads. In 1986, Pakistan Television aired the first of the two Pak-China co-productions, ‘Paiman-e-Wafa’. The theme of the play was the game of hockey, and the aim was to bring the two nations closer. With Muhammad Qavi Khan, Asif Raza Mir and Neelima Hasan already in the cast, veteran actor Talat Iqbal was chosen to dub the dialogue in Urdu of the ‘hero’ from China, who played the role a hockey player.
Talat Iqbal in his old age
Talat and his wife Sumbul Iqbal were a famous couple in the film industry. They starred together in Saiban (1974), and later got married. Raising a special child in Pakistan proved difficult for them, and this is when Talat Iqbal opted to move to the USA. In 1999, the man, with a million-dollar smile left Pakistan. Even after leaving Pakistan for the USA, the veteran actor made a few brief appearances in character roles in Pakistani dramas, like Ab Dekh Khuda Kya Karta Hai, Kam Zarf and Kaif-e-Baharan. With the death of his wife in 2014 and that of his daughter Sara, just a few months before his own, Talat Iqbal’s health deteriorated rapidly and he was on a ventilator for quite some time.
Talat Iqbal with his wife Sumbul
On `24th Sep 2021, people in Pakistan woke up to the news of Talat Iqbal’s death. He may be out of sight, but those who have seen his work cannot forget his charming and endearing performances.
Talat and Sumbul Iqbal in drama serial Deeda Var
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