Written by: Muhammad Suhayb
Posted on: May 05, 2025 | 
In a world where comedy often teeters on the edge of slapstick or cliché, Moin Akhtar stood tall as a performer who did not merely make people laugh, he surprised them. A master of mimicry, a gifted compere, a passionate actor and ever ready to break into a song, Moin was truly a man of many talents. Whether it was a high-level dignitary’s visit, the arrival of a Bollywood legend or a charity event on the calendar, Moin’s name was always the first to be called. But it was his unmatched flair for comedy that truly earned him the title of “the man of many faces.” His performances in Loose Talk, Studio 2 1/2 and Studio 2 ¾, penned by the legendary humorist Anwar Maqsood, remains timeless. With a chameleon-like ability to slip into the skin of characters that felt all too real, Moin wasn’t merely a comedian; he was a legend. He died on 22 April 2011, leaving a void that remains unfilled. Whether it was the unforgettable Lady Principal with her razor-sharp wit, his eerily accurate parody of the eloquent Zia Mohyeddin, or a prank with film actor Nadeem, Moin Akhtar blurred the lines between satire and sincerity. His art was layered, his delivery precise, and his impact? Eternal. Recently, Moin Akhtar's memoir, 'One Man Show', was released by Oxford University Press, where readers can relive the magic of Moin Akhtar, missed dearly for the past 14 years.
Moin Akhtar and Mishi Khan in Studio 2 1/2
Readers are treated to many heartwarming and relatable anecdotes that beautifully capture the essence of the man behind the many faces. These stories, drawn from his own memories and backstage moments, offer a rare glimpse into his wit, humility and dedication to his craft. For those who were born into an era where Moin was already a living legend, these recollections serve as an emotional bridge to the golden years of his performances.
In the 1988 talk show 'Yes Sir, No Sir', Moin Akhtar found himself on the receiving end of a playful jibe from Test cricketer Tauseef Ahmed. In a light-hearted exchange, typical of the era's humor, Tauseef quipped that if Moin thought he resembled a West Indian cricketer, then to him, Moin would always be the Lady Principal. The reference, of course, was to one of Moin’s most iconic characters, a stern yet hilarious school principal who had become a household name by then. Nearly two years before the Tauseef episode, Moin Akhtar unexpectedly stepped into one of his most unforgettable roles, the Lady Principal, in Anwar Maqsood's Showtime. Originally, the part was intended for Bushra Ansari, who had been shooting all morning for the upcoming episode before heading home for a break. At the time, Moin was nowhere in sight, as he was away in Kenya, hosting a cultural show alongside Amjad Khan, Bollywood’s iconic ‘Gabbar’ from Sholay.
Moin Akhtar as Lady Principal
As fate would have it, Moin’s flight landed while Bushra was away, and he came straight from the airport to the Pakistan Television station. Upon arrival, he was handed the script, originally written for him. With no one sure of his arrival time, the team had tweaked the character into a female role, and Bushra was supposed to play it. Moin had a cheeky idea in the makeup room, what if he did play the Lady Principal? According to his memoirs, it was renowned makeup artist Lily Raza’s contact lenses that started the transformation. With the right wig, wardrobe and that unmistakable flair, only Moin could bring the scene recorded before Bushra Ansari even returned. Interestingly, his later portrayal of Rozee in Sahira Kazmi’s acclaimed drama bore clear shades of this very character. To this day, audiences fondly recall both roles, proof that Moin Akhtar could, quite literally, become anyone.
Again, at the end of 1986, at the sixth PTV awards held on 27 Nov, Moin did something remarkable. Acclaimed actor, host Zia Mohyeddin was a persona non grata in the dictator Zia-ul-Haq’s era and no one was supposed to talk about his work. He had been around in the 60s and 70s, but in the 80s he was mostly busy in theatre in the West. Many people like me, who had the misfortune of being born in that era, got their first taste of a 'lookalike' Zia Mohyeddin in the Awards ceremony, which was directed and produced by none other than the dynamic Shoaib Mansoor.
Shoaib Mansoor had earlier crafted a memorable parody of the classic Abhi Tu Main Jawan Hoon for Bushra Ansari and her sister, the talented Asma Abbas, 'the famous Haaye Meri Angothiyan' in TV20 (1984). Two years later, Bushra was less enthusiastic when Shoaib tried a similar approach with another parody, Yeh PTV Award Hai, Design Iska Odd Hai with the very same tune. Just two days before the Award show, a disheartened Shoaib approached Moin with a paper in hand, calling the parody a 'waste'. Moin, who was already co-hosting the PTV Awards 1986 alongside Ghazala Qureshi, looked at the script and decided to step in. With his trademark spontaneity and flair, he transformed what seemed like a throwaway skit into one of the evening’s highlights. Moin, with a dash of Zia Mohyeddin’s mannerisms, turned even the simplest material into comedy gold. Many still know the lyrics even now, and I believe many are even reciting it while reading in the very style Moin Akhtar delivered it around four decades back. The hurriedly prepared skit was later copied in India with a little tweaking. Khiladi Akshay Kumar was seen reciting Yeh Zee TV Award hai, Design is ka Odd hai… somewhere in the late 90s in the very same style of Zia Mohyeddin.
The book, penned by Moin Akhtar during his lifetime, but released in 2025, is packed with hilarious anecdotes, enough to keep you laughing for at least a week. From comedian Nirala’s absurd threat to a passing milkman on Bunder Road that almost escalated into a serious misunderstanding, to actor Waheed Murad’s startled reaction upon mistakenly assuming singer Mujeeb Alam was a Central Jail staffer. From Ahmed Rushdi’s head-on confrontation with an army officer’s security detail to Moin Akhtar’s brief but memorable rivalry with Umar Sharif, these stories are not just personal, they’re priceless.
One of the funniest tales involves film star Nadeem during a tour in the U.S. While hosting a show, Moin Akhtar introduced legendary actor/singer Nadeem to the audience as the 'Pride of Pakistan'. Nadeem graciously waved to the cheering crowd until Moin cheekily requested him to 'act' for them. Taken aback, Nadeem relented at first and abruptly walked off the stage, seemingly furious. The crowd was momentarily confused, and the promoter, who had several shows lined up, nearly had a meltdown. He dashed backstage to salvage the situation, only to discover that Nadeem had taken Moin’s cue quite literally. He was acting, putting on a convincing show of mock anger, much to Moin’s delight and the crowd’s roaring laughter. It was classic Moin Akhtar, turning every moment into a performance and every performance into a memory.
The book is truly worth a read, it feels like watching a never-before-seen performance by Moin Akhtar. Moin Akhtar's connections with Bollywood actors, renowned writers, celebrated singers and even heads of state speak volumes about his stature. He wasn’t just a performer; he was a phenomenon, one in a million. While no book can fully encapsulate his brilliance, this one stands as a heartfelt tribute, a glimpse into a genius who continues to inspire.
Moin Akhtar with Dilip Kumar
Moin Akhtar and Rahim Shah
Farida Khanum, Ahmad Faraz and Moin Akhtar.
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