Muhammad Qavi Khan ruled over the millions of Pakistani and International admirers with his immaculate, indigenous, innate and emphatic dialogue delivery, gestural moments, variable pith intonation and efficient dialect as highly gifted and talented actor. Irrefutably, he was an institution who knows each and every attribute of impressive acting, script evaluation, absorbing in designated character and compatible body language by all means. Dismally speaking, an era of splendid acting has ended whose professional flair and dexterity will remain voided as Pakistan’s the most distinguished, accomplished, seasoned and respected lime lighted for more than four decades in all Radio, TV, Stage and Film arena.
Glancing at Muhammad Qavi Khan’s early life sketches, we came to know that his forefathers belonged to the Yousefzai Pashtun tribe. His entire family migrated to Lahore and started living here for goods. He began his acting career in Peshawar as a child star. It is reported that Qavi Khan began his career through Radio Pakistan back in 1952. In 1964, he worked for Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) when TV broadcasting was first started in Lahore, he appeared as one of the first actor who performed at this newly started mega platform.
Later, he continued his passion fulfilled by performing as film star in in 1965.These performances proved milestone later as one of the impressive display of talent.
Unanimously across the globe, Muhammad Ali Khan turned into an ever been glittering star from his authoritative role as s policeman in the PTV Hit drama serial Andhera Ujala. Along with his decisive contribution, his fellow actors Irfan Khoosat and Jamil Fakhri also played the most memorable roles as team members of Police officer. Khan later starred as an actor in various television plays. Some of his all time best performances were made in the following dramas as:
Lakhon Main Teen
Dehleez
Alif Noon
Andhera Ujala
Din
Angar Wadi
Uraan
Ashiyana
Sussar in Law
Lahori Gate
Mutthi Bhar Mitti
Mannchalay
Mishaal
Baityaan
Dastaan
Meray Qatil Meray Dildar
Phir Chand Pe Dastak
Zindagi Dhoop Tum Ghana Saya
Jo Chale To Jaan Se Guzar Gaye
Durr-e-Shahwar
Meri Behan Meri Dewrani
Aik Nayee Cinderella
Kalmoohi
Dr. Duago
Do Qadam Door Thay
Sadqay Tumhare
Ishqaaway
Bojh
Tum Kon Piya
Haya Ke Daaman Main
Yeh Ishq
New York Se New Karachi
Saheliyan
Seeta Bagri
Munkir
Nazr-e-Bad
Alif Allah Aur Insaan
Khaani
Aangan
Parchayee
Meraas
Babban Khala Ki Betiyann
Mujhe Rang De
Darr Khuda Say
Shahrukh Ki Saliyan
Janbaaz (TV series)
Zebaish
Prem Gali
Mushk
Ishq Jalebi
Chupke Chupke
Pehchaan
Meri Shehzadi
Saheliyan
Farz
Lakhon Main Teen
Dehleez
Mutthi Bhar Mitti
Mishaal
Baityaan
Dastaan
Meray Qatil Meray Dildar
Phir Chand Pe Dastak
Zindagi Dhoop Tum Ghana Saya
Jo Chale To Jaan Se Guzar Gaye
Durr-e-Shahwar
Meri Behan Meri Dewrani
Aik Nayee Cinderella
Kalmoohi
Dr. Duago
Do Qadam Door Thay
Sadqay Tumhare
Ishqaaway
Bojh
Tum Kon Piya
Haya Ke Daaman Main
Yeh Ishq
New York Se New Karachi
Saheliyan
Seeta Bagri
Munkir
Nazr-e-Bad
Alif Allah Aur Insaan
Khaani
Aangan
Parchayee
Meraas
Babban Khala Ki Betiyann
Mujhe Rang De
Darr Khuda Say
Shahrukh Ki Saliyan
Janbaaz (TV series)
Zebaish
Prem Gali
Mushk
Ishq Jalebi
Chupke Chupke
Pehchaan
Throughout Muhammad Ali Khan’s artistic and professional pinnacle, he performed major role in more than 200 films sprawling over 40 years of career. Some of his salient performances entitled to his name in movies are as:
Neend Hamari Khwab Tumhare
Tiger Gang
Mitti Ke Putlay
Mohabbat Zindagi Hai
Badtameez
Society Girl
Begum Jaan
Nahin Abhi Nahin
Chan Suraj
Sarfarosh
Kalay Chor
Zameen Aasman
International Luteray
Sarkata Insaan
Main Kukkoo Aur woh
Wrong No.
Mehrunisa V Lub U
Pari
I’ll Meet You There
Instinctively, Muhammad Ali khan has also produced 13 Urdu and Punjabi films whereas he also directed one movie in 1985. In 1971, “The Tiger Gang” was one of the early film performances. The film was based on the Kommissar X Eurospy. The stars are Tony Kendall, Brad Harris, Gisela Hahn, Mohammad Ali, and Zeba along with Qavi Khan. Lately, he produced a horror film “Pari” which was directed by Syed Atif Ali and written by Syed Atif Ali and Muhammad Ahsan jointly. The film actors other than Qavi Khan were Rasheed Naz and Saleem Mairaj. He also played in the Lollywood blockbuster movie “Wrong No.” with Danish Taimoor and Sohai Ali Abro. The film is about a cynic boy Sallu, who wants to become a Super Star and he played the role of Nawab. He was highly praised and elated by the audience after a worth admiring performance in this movie.
Significantly, Muhammad Qavi Khan is considered to be the first hero of Pakistani television drama serials when the state’s channel, PTV, started broadcasting in 1964.
Exceptionally, Muhammad Qavi Khan’s riveting performance as Ghalib at the Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA) or his acting in the PTV drama Koi Na Adda Sanj Mila are testaments to his decades-long career. Besides television and theatre, he continuously showcased his artistic ability in films and radio as well.
Being a bold and blunt Individual, he used to point out the reasons of Pakistan’s film industry consistent decay openly as a seasoned and veteran Artist. He categorically hammered producers and writers of Contemporary for compromised work. Being an ace actor, he started my career in showbiz in 1964 and left it in 1995 after working in more than 200 films. He used to unveil the perspectives of film industry that now we don’t have artistes like Khalil Qaiser, Riaz Shahid, Masood Pervaiz and Khurshid Anwar. Regretfully, Pakistan’s Film industry is in the hands of illiterate and incapable people. Apart from these observations, he also opined that all governments, film associations, producers and directors must be held equally responsible for the fall of Pakistani film industry.
Shedding light upon Muhammad Qavi Khan’ s personal life, we came to know that he married in 1968 and had four children—all of whom, instead of following in his footsteps, decided to settle abroad. He travelled the world but found himself bound to his country. This was surely be possible when someone loves his soil, people and world.
Ultimately, after a long acting career in television, theatre, and films, he landed in the director’s chair to prove his mettle. He became obsessed with the idea of making films. But it was a business beyond his creative talent. He was too simple a man for the devious ways of distributors and exhibitors. He lost a great deal of money in this enterprise. Muahmaad Qavi Khan was last seen in Fizza Ali Meerza and Nabeel Qureshi’s Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad which also starred superstars Mahira Khan and Fahad Mustafa.
On the small screen, his last project was Urwa Hocane and Ali Rehman Khan’s Meri Shehzadi. Muhammad Qavi Khan essayed Hocane’s grandfather on the showNvrtheless, he then left the project due to his failing health and got settled in Canada.
For his invaluable contributions to the industry, Muhammad Qavi Khan was honored and revered with numerous awards and accolades, including the presidential award, Pride of Performance, Sitara-i-Imtiaz, the LSA lifetime achievement award, and three Nigar Film awards. Last but not the least, Muhammad Ali Khan’s contribution to Pakistani showbiz has been immense, and he has left an indelible mark on Drama, film and performing industry. He took his last breath on 5th March 2023 in Canada Hospital and headed towards an everlasting world of eternity and immortality. Muhammad Qavi Khan will be remembered for centuries for his spontaneous and divinely conferred performances.
