Veteran actor Talat Hussain in the eyes of his contemporaries

Karachi
It indeed was a glamorous evening with all the galaxy of television and showbiz personalities, both contemporary and those of yesteryear.
The day: Friday. The venue: the meticulously manicured lawns of the Arts Council. The occasion: launch of the book, “Yeh Hain Talat Hussain” by Huma Mir.
The work is Mir’s tribute to the numerous theatrical and literary capabilities of television personality Talat Hussain.
A large number of people on the occasion talked about their association with the star, both in a professional capacity and years of personal association while heaping glowing tributes on Talat Hussain, virtually giving him the status of a legend.
A noted personality of Pakistan Television, Athar Waqar Azeem, said Hussain had received numerous awards during his television career during which he did plays which became smashing hits. He congratulated Huma Mir on her venture which, according to him, would be a treasure for posterity. Son of the renowned Jameeluddin Aali, Raju Jamil, took everyone on a nostalgic trip into the past, back into the cinema era, and recalled “Pakistan Ka Tasveeri Khabarnama” with Hussain’s rich and lustrous voice narrating the events.
The all-time great of Pakistani television, Kamal Ahmed Rizvi, called Hussain a giant among theatrical personalities.
Then there was seasoned journalist Mazhar Abbas with his very profound and incisive comments. Recalling Hussain’s theatrical acumen and the television personalities of yesteryear, he said that there was a world of difference between the present showbiz stars and those of the past.
“There were the great people like Talat Hussain who were just committed to their calling and awakening society to its various issues and ills but today the people are totally oriented towards corporatism and mammon worship,” he said. “There was a time when people recognised actors. Today, they recognise anchors.”
Noted playwright Haseena Moin, whose very

profound comments on life in all its colours has made her absolutely unforgettable, also heaped affectionate tributes on Hussain while calling him a great actor. She credited the performer saying that he had always given impetus to newcomers in the field. “Regardless of his age, Talat is very young at heart,” she said. “He’s very mild but is like a volcano when in one of his tempers.”
Qazi Wajid, another famous television figure admired Hussain for his commanding voice and informed the guests about his success in an Indian movie.
Karachi Commissioner Shoaib Siddiqui, praised both Huma Mir and the subject of her book.
“Ours was the PTV generation and Hussain’s plays were watched most ardently because they were wholesome family entertainment,” he said.
Besides, showbiz personalities there were others too who at one or the other juncture in their lives been associated with Hussain.
Barrister Shahida Jamil recalled her school and college days with Mrs Talat Hussain and narrated her husband’s rise to stardom.
Neelofer Abbasi lauded Huma’s perseverance in launching the venture and praised Hussain for his acting skills and his voice.
Acknowledging the hail of tributes showered on both of them, Huma Mir and Hussain both thanked the Karachi Arts Council for having arranged such a momentous function to honour them and acknowledge their contribution to creativity.