Veteran TV and stage actor Talat Hussain has passed away in Karachi at the age of 83. Hussain, born on September 18, 1940, had been battling a prolonged illness. The news was confirmed by the Arts Council of Pakistan (ACP) Karachi President Ahmed Shah, who stated that Hussain had been undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Karachi.
Hussain was known for his deep connection with ACP, having been a part of its governing body. He was also a recipient of the Sitara-i-Imtiaz award for his unique acting style. His funeral prayers were held at Aisha Masjid on Khayaban-e-Ittehad Road, and he was laid to rest in the Phase 8 graveyard.
His career spanned several decades, beginning in the 1960s. He further honed his skills by studying acting at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art in 1972. Hussain’s notable works include dramas like Bandish, Karwaan, Hawain, and Parchaiyan, as well as films such as Chiragh Jalta Raha, Gumnaam, and Actor in Law. He also received international acclaim, winning the Amanda Award for Norwegian film Import-Eksport in 2006, and was honored with a Pride of Performance award.
Tributes poured in from various quarters, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Acting President Yusuf Raza Gilani expressing deep grief over his demise. Other actors, including Behroze Sabzwari, Bushra Ansari, and Adnan Siddiqui, also remembered Hussain’s contributions to the industry. Political leaders like Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, and Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz also paid their respects, highlighting Hussain’s significant impact on Pakistan’s entertainment industry.
