It has been 18 years since the demise of Khalida Riyasat, unarguably one of the most brilliant actors the Pakistan drama industry has ever seen.
Born in Karachi on January 1, 1953, Khalida has won may hearts with her brilliant acting. She started her drama journey in the 1970s with Naamdaar, alongside famous Pakistani actor, Shakeel. However, she reached new heights after she was cast in Bandish, a PTV drama serial penned by Hasina Moin and produced by Mohsin Ali.
Khalida’s acting alongside late actor Moin Akhtar in an extraordinarily humourous long play, Half-Playt, by Anwar Maqsood, is still recalled by many.
Some of her evergreen dramas include, Panah, Bandish, Dhoop, Deewar, Khoya Hua Aadmi, Silver Jubilee, Tabeer, Ab Tum Jasakte Ho and Parosi among many others.
Khalida’s fans saw her last in the drama Parosi. She spent the last years of her life in seclusion at a hospital, suffering from cancer.
She breathes her last on August 26, 1996.