Veteran film director Hassan Askari passes away in Lahore
Entertainment
Askari directed around 60 Punjabi and Urdu movies during his career
LAHORE (Dunya News) - Veteran Pakistani film director Hassan Askari passed away here in Lahore. He was 78 and suffering from lungs cancer.
Askari breathed his last at Shaikh Zayed Hospital where he was under treatment.
Askari started his career as an assistant director with Kaifi and gave movies such as Chan Makhna (1968) and Sajan Piyara (1968). Later, he joined the film unit of Tariq Masood Qureshi.
Askari directed around 60 Punjabi and Urdu movies and produced 10 of them during his career spanning over decades.
His first film was Khoon Paseena in which Sudhir was the hero and cast included Firdous, Mazhar Shah and Agha Talish.
He was also a recipient of Pride of Performance award.
It is to his credit that he introduced Sultan Rahi in a famous Punjabi character of Maula Jatt with his Gandasa.
His remarkable films were Toofan, Salakhain, Doorian, Sher Dil, Putar Jagay Da, Dil Kisi Ka Dost Nahi, Qanoon, Kinara, Mela, Talash, Mafroor, Sherdil and Tera Pyar Mein and many others.
Hassan Askari is survived by a widow, a daughter and a son. His funeral prayers would be held at his residence, 3-B Alamgir Street, Poonch Road, Islamia Park, near Dera Haji Mehboob.
Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Amir Mir expressed deep grief over his demise. In his condolence message, the minister said Askari had done unforgettable services for the film industry.
“Saddened to hear about the passing of the legendary film producer, writer and director Muhammad Hassan Askari. His contribution to Urdu and Punjabi cinema like Salakhain, Wehshi Jutt and many more will be remembered,” Secretary Information and Culture Danyal Gillani said on X, formerly Twitter.
