Written by: Waseem Abbas
Posted on: March 07, 2023 | 
| 中文
Qavi Khan in his last film, Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad
With Qavi Khan’s death on the 5th of March 2023, Pakistan lost the last of its superstars from Pakistan Television’s (PTV) golden era. An actor of impeccable acting prowess, Qavi Khan’s career spanned almost seven decades, where he played all sorts of characters: from a child artist to the main protagonist of the shows and the role of father to grandfather.
Qavi Khan and his wife, Naheed Qavi, with their kid
Muhammad Qavi Khan, born in Peshawar on the 13th of November, 1942, belonged to the Yousufzai tribe of Pashtuns. Qavi started his professional career with Radio Pakistan, Peshawar, as a child artist in 1952, before shifting to Lahore to pursue a full-time career in acting. He did stage shows and radio programs along with films and television dramas throughout his career. Interestingly, Qavi’s first full-time job was not related to acting, as the versatile actor worked at Grindlays Bank in its Lahore branch for over seven years. He transitioned to full-time acting after getting a grip on his craft and the much-needed fame that guaranteed future work.
Qavi Khan started his television career as an actor in Nazarana, the first drama produced by PTV Lahore Station, in 1964. However, it took Qavi another 20 years to become a successful actor. He, along with Irfan Khoosat and Jamil Fakhri, became household names with the success of the famous drama serial Andhera Ujala, a crime investigation series aired on PTV in 1984-85, where he played the main character, DSP Tahir Ali Khan. Himself the son of a police constable, Qavi’s performance as DSP Tahir, an honest and upright police officer, got him recognition, for his dialogue delivery, body language, and facial expressions all synced with the demand of the role. Qavi was of the view that the drama should have continued as its theme was relevant to society. "Even the police officials saluted me wherever I went and thanked me, for portraying a positive image of their department.” His other famous dramas include Dhoop Kinare, Ankahi, Tanhaiyan, Humsafar, Din, Angarwadi, Bulandi, Sussar in Law, Durre-e-Shehwar, Ashiyana, Khaani, Alif Allah aur Insan amongst others.
Qavi Khan in Andhera Ujala
Soon after establishing himself as an actor on television, the legendary Qavi Khan became a successful actor in both Punjabi and Urdu films, as he delivered spellbinding performances in films like Neend Hamari Khwab Tumhare, Tiger Gang, Badtameez and Begum Jan. Qavi’s first Lollywood film was Riwaj, the Zeba-Muhammad Ali starrer released in 1965. From his debut film until Very Good Duniya Very Bad Loag (1998), Qavi regularly featured in Lollywood films.
Qavi Khan and Ismail Tara
For an outsider, Qavi’s career as a film actor is the epitome of success. However, he considered himself an ‘outsider’ and a ‘misfit’ in the film industry, describing his life as a “constant struggle”. Qavi’s stint as a film producer was not an easy one either, as most of his films as a producer (13 in total) flopped, and a couple of them were shelved due to the censorship policies of General Zia ul Haq. Qavi Khan was thankful for the love, appreciation and accolades that the people and the government of Pakistan showered on him, but was concerned about his mother organization, PTV’s reluctance to acknowledge his services or benefit from his expertise. He was one of the few veterans who impressed all with his performances, and never went unnoticed even in the limited screen time he had in the role of a grandfather. Qavi Khan was lauded for his powerful and moving performance in his last film, Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad, where he overshadowed the main stars of the film, Mahira Khan and Fahad Mustafa. Qavi Khan's last appearance on television screens was in Urwa Hocane and Ali Rehman’s drama serial, Meri Shehzadi, as Urwa’s grandfather Sanaullah, but he had to withdraw halfway due to his deteriorating health. The manner in which Qavi Sahab portrayed Sanaullah, the ailing old man worried for his granddaughter's future, and his helplessness in a dignified and composed manner, is a treat to watch.
Qavi Khan in his last drama Meri Shehzadi with Shamim Hilaly and Urwa Hocane
Qavi Khan breathed his last on the 5th of March in Canada, where he was staying with his son. Qavi had two daughters and two sons, all of whom are settled abroad, just like in his 1983 drama serial Daur-e-Junoon, where he and Naveed Shehzad portrayed an old couple, whose children were settled abroad.
Qavi Khan with his sons
Qavi Khan was the recipient of the Sitara Imtiaz (2012), the Presidential Pride of Performance Award (1980) as well as Nigar Award, and the Lifetime Achievement Awards from both Pakistan Television and Radio Pakistan. When the news of the veteran actor's demise surfaced, condolences poured in from all sections of society. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Arif Alvi, Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani, Former Prime Minister Imran Khan, and many others offered their condolences on the thespian's demise. The showbiz fraternity also shared messages, condoling the bereaved family and recognizing the late actor's services to the industry. Qavi Khan has left this world for his eternal abode, but his craft lives on and will inspire generations in time to come.
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