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When Aslam Latar passed away early on Sunday, April 3, hardly anybody could believe the news as very few of even his closest friends knew that the villain of the mini screen suffered from severe cardiac problems. He had been admitted to a Karachi hospital four days prior to his death.
At the time of his death, Aslam Latar had become a household name. He was introduced to the PTV circuit by veteran producer Qasim Jalali in 1976 in the play Khaliq. Then came Shama, his first serial, after which Latar became a much sought after actor. His memorable performance in Intezar Farmaiye, Hello Hello, Sooraj Ka Daagh, Mera Naam Mango, Afshan, Samandar Jag Raha Hai, Dasht and Hawain were excellent and more than enough to prove that Latar was a born actor. He played the villain in various plays due to the fact that his producers typecast him repeatedly. Whenever he did perform a positive role on screen, he proved his mettle and put the stereotype to rest.
The recently concluded Mah-i-Neem Shab by Haider Imam Rizvi saw Latar in the role of a prayer leader, one recent example of his versatility. Another positive performance in which he touched the hearts of his viewers was that of an escaped convict who wants to attend his daughter’s wedding. It was a small but touching performance in the Rang-i-Hina series. Another play, Mitti ki Moorat, is currently on air from PTV. With more than 200 television plays and 30 films to his credit, Latar was a veteran thespian in his own right.
Aslam Latar was born in Allahbad, India, in 1944. He was single and never married, having to support the families of his two younger brothers. Latar worked helld an officer’s post in a bank for 25 years. Though famous for his negative roles on screen, he was a loving and helpful person off screen. He always had a welcoming attitude towards aspiring new actors and was considered an expert when it came to handling showbiz politics. He introduced and helped a number of stars including Saud, Humayun Saeed, Adnan Siddiqui, Aslam Shaikh, Irfan Motiwala and many more. Latar was also famous for his straight-forwardness and outspoken behaviour among his colleagues. His recommendations were more than welcomed by the producers.
An actor who was against the bureaucratic and egoistic behaviour of TV producers, Aslam Latar was among the pioneers of star’s cricket eleven in Pakistan and he was a first class player as well. Those who attended his funeral included Qasim Jalali, Haider Imam Rizvi, Shahid Iqbal Pasha, Bakhtiar Ahmed, Asif Ansari, Ayub Khosa, Asad, Tanveer Jamal, Adnan Jilani, Humayun Mehboob, Taj Niazi, Shehzad Raza, Mehmood Akhter, Mani, Shabbir Jan, Aslam Shiekh, M. Warsi, Ayaz Khan, Behroz Sabzwari and Iqbal Qureshi.
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very sad news… was an expectionally gifted artist.
Inna Lillahne Wa Innah Ilaihe Rajeon…
my his soul rest in peace.