Yousuf Kamal, widely recognized as a distinguished TV actor Shakeel, passed away in Karachi’s CMH hospital on Thursday following a brief illness. The sad news, which coincided with the first day of Eidul Azha, was reported by state broadcaster Radio Pakistan, citing a family member. Shakeel was 85 years old.
The report highlighted that he was renowned for his excellent acting abilities and achieved prominence through unforgettable roles in various television dramas. During his peak, no drama series was complete without his presence. He truly dominated the small screen.
Born in 1938 in Bhopal, India, Shakeel moved to Pakistan with his family in 1952. He made his cinema debut in the 1966 film Honehar, alongside Waheed Murad.
However, it was television where he found his true vocation, starring in numerous successful shows, including Uncle Urfi (1972), Ankahi (1982), and Aangan Terha (1984).
In 2015, Shakeel was honoured with the prestigious Sitara-i-Imtiaz by Sindh Governor Dr. Ishratul Ibad.
Fellow TV actor Faysal Qureshi described Shakeel as the “pride of our nation” and “the man who entertained us for the longest time”. Senior journalist Raza Rumi paid tribute to Shakeel, remembering his “diverse oeuvre and unparalleled performances”.
