Lehri

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Lehri, Comedians is famous for Comedy, Acting, Pakistani celebrity.

Safirullah is his birth name but he is famous by his screen name which is Lehri. He is ‘the king of comedy’ of Urdu films in Pakistan, though he has also performed exceptionally in a few Punjabi movies as well. He started his film career in the 1950s which lasted till 80s.

Career
Just after partition he migrated to Karachi, Pakistan. He learnt typing and shorthand and got a job in an office as a stenographer. In the evening, he began selling hosiery items, at Saddar Karachi, as a salesman, to make both the ends meet in a better way. He had a great talent for acting as he used to pass humorous comments which pleased the listeners.

It was in 1955 that Lachhoo Seth, Sheikh Lateef decided to make film Anokhi. He offered the role of a comedian to Safirullah and screen-named him as Lehri. The film was released on January 21, 1956. Lehri's performance was liked by the film fans. This way a sobre comedian was inducted in the Pakistan Film Industry.

Lehri, undoubtedly, is one of the greatest, Urdu speaking comedian, the Pakistan Film Industry ever had. Educated movie goers especially like him for his sober sense of humour.

He has performed excellently in the films Insaan badalta hai, Raat kay rahi, Faislah, Jokar, Kaun kisi ka, Aag, Taubah, Jaisay jaantay nahin, Doosri maan, Ik naginah, Ik musafir ik haseenah and Chhoti ammi.

Lehri has his own style and he has the ability to convert fascinating, sarcastic dialogues into every day conversation to amuse the people.

Nigar Awards
Lehri won the Nigar Award for around a dozen films.

Following is the list of the movies:

Nigar award for best comedian in the film Daman in 1963.

Nigar award for best comedian in the film Paigham in 1964.

Nigar award for best comedian in the film Kaneez in 1965.

Nigar award for best comedian in the film Mein wo nahi in 1967.

Nigar award for best comedian in the film Saiqa in 1968.

Nigar award for best comedian in the film Nai laila naya mujnu in 1969.

Nigar award for best comedian in the film Anjuman in 1970.

Nigar award for best comedian in the film Dil lagi in 1972.

Nigar award for best comedian in the film Aaj aur kal in 1976.

Nigar award for best comedian in the film Naya andaaz in 1979.

Nigar award for best comedian in the film Saima in 1985.

Nigar award for best comedian in the film Beewe ho to aisee in 1986.

Special award
In recognition of his outstanding acting, spanning over thirty eight years, the Pakistan Film Industry stalwarts honoured him with a special award in 1993, which indeed, was a small but sincere token of gratitude.

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Unfortunately Lehri suffered from the stroke and later vision problems forced him to bid farewell to film assignments.

Late prime minister Benazir Bhutto granted him monthly stipend of Rs 2,500 during her first tenure, which he is still receiving but there has been no increase in the amount.

Lehri’s first film Anokhi was released in 1956 while his last movie was 1986’s Dhanak. Most of the films, he worked in, are in Urdu language, though he did perform in a few Punjabi productions.