Rafi Khawar (Punjabi, Urdu: رفیع خاور) (4 August 1942 – 2 June 1986), popularly known as Nanha (Urdu: ننھا), was a Pakistani actor and comedian. He started his film career in 1966 and earned several awards including 3 Nigar awards.[2]

Nanha
Born
Rafi Khawar

4 August 1942
Died2 June 1986 [1]
Occupation(s)Actor, comedian[1]
Years active1966 – 1986
Awards3 Nigar Awards

Career edit

His first Urdu language film was Watan Ka Sipahi, released in 1966.[2] Nanha got a breakthrough from film Noukar in 1976. He played the lead role in film Tehka Pehlwan in 1979, and in the same year his film Dubai Chalo was a super hit at the box office.[1] His pairing with fellow comedian Ali Ejaz was popular since film Insaniyat (1967 film). Ali Ejaz and Nanha, as popular pair of comedians, were seen together in more than 50 films.[1]

He was regarded as an exceptional comedy talent and for many years was the star of the widely popular Pakistan Television Corporation's TV show Alif Noon that ran for three television seasons during the early 1980s. He was a familiar face, well-known and loved by all. Nanha acted in Alif Noon with his fellow comedian Kamal Ahmed Rizvi better known as Allan in the TV show.[1]

A supporting actress and a then popular film dancer named Nazli usually appeared with Nanha as his love interest in those movies. They were also often seen together in public and became romantically involved in real life. Nanha's success in films and celebrity status was at an all-time high. So money was never an issue with Nanha during his love affair with Nazli.[1] He even pressured his film producers to cast Nazli with him in many films and the pair became inseparable in the early 1980s. This was not to last after Nanha's films started to flop and he fell on hard times financially. Then Nazli also started to lose interest in him.[1]

Death edit

 
Nanha's grave at Karim Block Graveyard, Allama Iqbal Town Lahore

Certain mysterious circumstances reportedly and allegedly drove Nanha to commit suicide by shooting himself with a shotgun on 2 June 1986.[1] His final resting place is in a cemetery located in Karim Block, Allama Iqbal Town, Lahore, Pakistan.[1]

Filmography edit

Year Film
1970 Afsana
1970 Love in Jungle
1973 Khushia
1973 Jaal
1974 Tum salamat raho
1974 Khatarnak
1976 Naukar
1976 Hukam Da Ghulam
1977 Naya Suraj
1977 Sargent
1978 Awaz
1979 Dubai Chalo[3]
1979 Behan Bhai
1979 Waaday Ki Zanjeer
1979 Aurat Raj
1980 Nahin Abhi Nahin
1980 Sohra Te Jawai[3]
1980 Aap Ki Khatir
1981 Athra Puttar
1981 Sala Sahib[3]
1981 Jeedar
1981 Sher Khan[3]
1982 Dostana
Naukar Te Malik[3]
Ik Doli
Aahat
Aangan
1983 Sona Chandi[3]
1984 Judai
1984 Sholay
1984 Kamyabi
1984 Doorian
1984 Sajawal Daku[3]
1985 Ghulami
1985 Choorian
1986 Qaidi
1986 Malanga
1986 Mela
1987 Disco Dancer
1987 Gernail Singh

Awards edit

Year Award Group Film Result
1977 Nigar Award Best Comedian Bharosa[4] Won
1978 Nigar Award Best Comedian Playboy[4][2] Won
1983 Nigar Award Best Comedian Love Story Won

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i M. Saeed Awan (26 October 2014). "The dark side of Lollywood (profile of Nanha or Rafi Khawar)". Dawn (newspaper). Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  2. ^ a b c Death anniversary of film, TV actor Rafi Khawar (Nanha) today Samaa TV News website, Published 2 June 2016, Retrieved 1 February 2022
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "Filmography of Nanha". Complete Index To World Film (CITWF) website. 13 January 2016. Archived from the original on 10 July 2018. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  4. ^ a b Swami Ji. "Pakistan's "Oscars"; The Nigar Awards (1957 - 2002)". The Hot Spot Film Reviews website. Archived from the original on 22 July 2015. Retrieved 1 February 2022.

External links edit