Shakeel Siddiqui (Urdu: شکیل صدیقی; born 26 May 1964) is a Pakistani television stand-up comedian, stage and film actor, theatre director and playwright.
Shakeel Siddiqui | |
|---|---|
| Born | 26 May 1964 |
| Nationality | Pakistani |
| Other names | Teeli |
| Occupations |
|
| Children | 7, including Sharahbil Siddiqui[1] |
| Comedy career | |
| Medium |
|
| Genres |
|
| Subject(s) | |
| Notable works and roles | Comedy Circus Comedy Nights Bachao Comedy Nights Live Comedy Kings |
Initially interested in singing, on the insistence of a cousin he began his career as a stage actor in the early 1980s, inspired by comedian Lehri and collaborating with the likes of Moin Akhter and especially Umer Shareef.[2]
He is regarded as one of the greatest comedian Pakistan has ever produced.
In the 2000s, he also rose to prominence in India after appearing as a contestant in Comedy Circus.[3] Although he didn't win, he became so popular that he was hired as a co-host in the second season of the show. He was paired to actress Urvashi Dholakia in the reality show Ustaadon Ka Ustaad (2008).
Shakeel Siddiqui also appeared as a celebrity guest in Salman Khan's reality game show, Dus Ka Dum (2008)[4] and as a guest judge in Boogie Woogie dance competition.
He was also a participant in the third season of Comedy Circus, dubbed Kaante Ki Takkar.
Career edit
Early career as stage actor edit
Shakeel in his earlier career did not quite click until he was discovered by Umar Shareef, who eventually made him an important theater artist. Both worked in several stage dramas together, including Bakra Qiston Pay (Goat On Installments), Yeh To House Full Hogaya (Full House), Nayee Ammi Purana Abba (New Mother, Old Father), Dulhan Main Lekar Jaonga (I Will Take The Bride), Beauty Parlour, Budha Ghar Per Hai (The Old Man Is At Home) and many more.[6]
Shakeel's role in stage plays and films were quite popular, not only in Pakistan but in the whole region, leading him to work with Indian comedians like Johnny Lever.
His situational jokes for Shruti Seth on the sets of Comedy Circus made the Indian audience absolute stunned and his presence of mind has led him to marvelous success in India.
Theatre director and playwright edit
Outside acting, Shakeel had also directed and written plays, including Dunya Do Numberi, which was staged in Karachi's Arts Council of Pakistan in 2020.[7]
Success in India and departure (2008–2016) edit
Beginning in 2008, Shakeel is best known for his time in India due to the show Comedy Circus where he was critically acclaimed as the king of stage comedy. He later stepped out of the competition by himself and participated separately on fans' choice alongside Urvashi Dholakia initially and, later, with Shruti Seth and Mona Singh during the final season of his appearance.
Among the other participants he became role model and participants like Swapnil often referred him as the best stand up of the show. Satish Shah and Archana praised Shakeel for his tremendous performances and cracking furious jokes on Shruti Seth. He also appeared in game show Dus Ka Dum on Sony Television.
Due to the 26/11 attack in Mumbai, all the artists from Pakistan, including Shakeel, were asked to leave the country.[8][9] Some news channels and blogs reported that Shakeel was beaten and forced to leave India by locals due to 26/11 Mumbai attacks.[10][11][12]
However, he later denied being beaten or abused and claimed that the producers of Sony were threatened by the members of MNS of "dire consequences" if they continue to allow Pakistanis to perform on their shows. As a safety precaution, the producers and the artist agreed to have him leave the country. This claim coincides with later reports.[13][14][15]
In early 2014, Shakeel made a comeback to Indian screen with Comedy Classes on Life Ok.[16]
Due to the political tensions between both countries rising again, Shakeel's last appearance on Indian television would be in 2016.
Selected filmography edit
Stage dramas edit
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 1989 | Bakra Qiston Pay |
| 2003 | Yeh To House Full Hogaya |
| 2004 | Nayee Ammi Purana Abba |
Television dramas edit
| Year | Title | Role | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Aitraaf | Jumman | PTV |
| 2009–11 | Yeh Kaisi Mohabbat Hai | Geo TV | |
| 2013 | Ideals | TV One |
Films edit
| Year | Title | Role | Language |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Munda Bigra Jaye | Urdu | |
| 1996 | Baazigar | Punjabi | |
| 1998 | Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa | Hero Bhai | Urdu |
Television reality shows edit
| Year | Show | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008–09 | Ustaadon Ka Ustaad | Contestant | Winner |
| 2008–09 | Comedy Circus : Kaante Ki Takkar | Celebrity contestant with Urvashi Dholakia | |
| 2010–11 | Comedy Circus Ke SuperStars | Celebrity contestant with Urvashi Dholakia | |
| 2013–14 | Comedy Club | Celebrity contestant with Sucheta Khanna | |
| 2014–15 | Comedy Classes[17] | Urdu teacher | |
| 2015–16 | Comedy Nights Bachao | Himself and various roles | |
| 2016 | Comedy Nights Live | Various roles |
References edit
- ^ "Sharahbil Accepted Faysal Qureshi As His Father - Denied To Recognize Shakeel Siddiqui - Khush Raho Pakistan Season 8 - 29th October 2021". BOL Entertainment. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
- ^ Hasan, Mahmood (16 April 2013). "Pakistan is rich in comedians, India in actors: Shakeel Siddiqui". Saudi Gazette. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
- ^ Comedian Shakil vows to return to Bollywood. "Comedian Shakil vows to return to India - GEO.tv". Archived from the original on 2012-04-05. Retrieved 2009-11-02.
- ^ "Salman Khan's adieu to 10 Ka Dum". Screen. Sep 12, 2008.
- ^ "Pakistani comedian Shakeel Siddiqui to perform in Dubai". Gulf News. 14 November 2016. Retrieved 2021-11-17.
- ^ "Pakistan is rich in comedians, India in actors: Md Shakil Ansari". Saudi Gazette. 16 April 2013. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014.
- ^ "Comedian Shakeel Siddiqui's theatre play 'Dunya Do Numberi' staged". Daily Times. 28 September 2020. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
- ^ "Pakistan is rich in comedians, India in actors: Shakeel Siddiqui | Life | Saudi Gazette". Archived from the original on 2014-07-14. Retrieved 2014-07-10.
- ^ MNS packs off Pak comedian Shakeel | Mumbai News - Times of India
- ^ "Famous comedian Shakeel Siddiqui beaten up in India". GEO.tv. 2009-01-15. Retrieved 2014-02-21.
- ^ "Shakeel Siddiqui of Comedy Circus Beaten in Mumbai | The Pakistani Spectator". Pakspectator.com. 2009-01-14. Retrieved 2014-02-21.
- ^ "Pakistani Comedian Shakil Siddiqi Beaten By Shiv Sena". Vidpk.com. 2009-01-14. Retrieved 2014-02-21.
- ^ "MNS stops Pak comedian from shooting". The Times of India. 2010-06-19. Archived from the original on 2012-06-06.
- ^ "Threat For Pak Comedian To Perform In India". Allvoices.com. Retrieved 2014-02-21.
- ^ Dubey, Bharati (2008-12-03). "Mumbai". The Times Of India.
- ^ Krushna Abhishek, Bharti Singh, Shakeel Siddiqui and Sudesh Lehri Team Up for Ache Din Institute. NDTV. Indo-Asian news service. October 1, 2014.
- ^ "Krushna Abhishek, Bharti Singh, Shakeel Siddiqui and Sudesh Lehri Team Up for Ache Din Institute". NDTV.com. 1 October 2014. Retrieved 2021-11-17.