Artists, critics and fans pays glowing tributes to the legendary Pashto film star Badar Munir

Lahore: Artists, critics and fans of Badar Munir paid glowing tributes to the legendary Pashto film star of the yore days. They demanded of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to set up Badar Munir academy , establish Yasmin Khan Endowment fund , extend financial assistance to the widow of late Pashto film star and issue official notifications of the Cinema Road in Peshawar and a Chowk in Swat after the name of the  legendary actor with immediate effect.  The All Pakistan Badar Munir Federation and Culture Journalists Forum jointly arranged a function to mark the 6^th death anniversary of the super action hero of Pashto silver screen ‘Badar Munir’.  The event took place at a local hotel in Nishtarabad, Peshawar here on Saturday.

Noted Pashto films star Mr Shahid Khan was the chief guest on the occasion. Addressing the select-gathering, he said that Badar Munir was not only a film hero but was also a great human being in his real life adding that he had launched Pashto cinema in the early 70s while setting trends in the of ‘action’ and glamour .  He said the late actor was a brave man as he had played stunts himself. “Badar Munir enjoyed exemplary respect and a unique place in the hearts of millions of his fans leaving an indelible imprint on the minds of Pashtun cine-goers. His being part of any Pashto movie meant sure and overwhelming success.  His acting was matchless because of his personal charisma,” the actor remarked.

Mr Ihtisham Toru President Culture Journalists Forum (CJF) said that artiste’s community should raise voice for their genuine issues.  He said terrorism could be countered through promoting cultural activities in the militancy-plagued province. “The sitting KP government needs to take concrete steps for the welfare and protection of the artiste’s community.  Badar Munir through his inborn talent worked for the projection of Pashtun culture and gave it a separate identity, the new actors should follow his footprints so that Pashto cinema of the yore days could be revived in its true letter and spirit, he maintained.

Qaiser Sanubar Khan Pashto films producer/director while praising the late actor said that he had worked with Badar Munir who contributed immensely to Pashto film industry. Calling him just an actor would not define Badar Munir. He was an academy in his own right.  He said that the upcoming young talent should know about the rare talent and huge contributions of Badar Munir to Pashto cinema.  Acting was such an easy task with the action hero Badar Munir. He was the king of action of Pashto movies but was also an accomplished hero of the romantic Pashto flicks, Mr Khan observed. Pashto film industry suffered irreparable loss in the death of a great hero. He however, regretted that KP culture director failed to arrange even a humble function to remember Badar Munir’s services .

Mr Javed Khan Yousafzai President All Pakistan Badar Munir Federation (APBMF) .Abdullah Shah Baghdadi (cjf) Mardan and popular telefilms actors Muhammad Hussain Swati, Zardad Bulbul and senior TV actor Sardar Marikhai also spoke on the event. Later, the participants through unanimously passed resolutions demanded of the KP government to extend financial assistance to the widow of Badar Munir who is suffering from cancer and also set to up Badar Munir academy in Peshawar.  They also raised voice for welfare of the artiste’s community and establishment of Yasmin Khan Endowment fund.

Arbaz Khan Friend’s Club (AFC) and other cultural organizations arranged similar events in Mingora Swat, Bunir, Bannu and Mardan where speakers shed light on the life and contributions of Badar Munir.