Anwar Maqsood Hameedi popularly known as Anwar Maqsood is a Pakistani scriptwriter, television presenter, satirist, humorist, and infrequent actor. He was well known for his drama write-ups for PTV in the late 1970s and 1980s.
Anwar Maqsood started his career as a journalist from his early age. Anwar Maqsood got recognition after penning down the scripts of popular drama serials such as Half Plate.
He has been attached with Pakistan Television Corporation since 1970. He is currently serving in different spheres of literary activities in Pakistan. He hosts thought-provoking and sensible dramas and shows related to national issues and problems.
Early life
Maqsood has written numerous plays, television dramas, and films. He is best known for his comic writing, and his work often addresses social and political issues in Pakistan.
Anwar Maqsood was born on September 7, 1935 in Hyderabad State. He studied at the Gulbarga Trust School in Aurangabad before his large family migrated to Karachi in 1948 after the creation of Pakistan. Maqsood spent his childhood years in PIB Colony, Karachi with his siblings and family.
Family Background
Maqsood comes from a prominent family in Pakistan; some of his siblings are well-known in their own right. His sister, Fatima Surayya Bajia, was a well-known writer in Pakistan and South Asia. Another sister, Zehra Nigah, is a relatively well-known poet. One of his brothers, Ahmed Maqsood, is a former Chief Secretary Sindh; and his sister Zubaida Tariq was a cooking expert and chef.
Anwar Maqsood’s wife, Imrana Maqsood, is a well-known novelist, and his son, Bilal Maqsood, is a rock artist and lead guitarist for the former band Strings. He has one daughter. Imrana Maqsood has written a book on her husband’s life and work titled Uljhey Suljhey Anwar (الجھے سلجھے انور).
Career
Anwar Maqsood is a well-known figure in the Pakistani television industry. He has been associated with PTV for many years, where he served as a presenter for a variety of their television programs. These programs include ‘Studio Dhai, ‘Studio Ponayteen’, ‘Show Sha’, and many others.
Maqsood is known for his wit and humor, which has made him a popular figure among Pakistani viewers. He has also written a number of books, including ‘Kitab-e-Ishq’ and ‘Bagh-e-Ibn-e-Adam’
Anwar Maqsood as a Painter
Anwar Maqsood is one of the country’s most prominent writers. He is known for his sharp wit and uncanny ability to create puns out of words that one least expects can be used that way. However, before he shot to fame as a writer, Maqsood was an accomplished painter. This creative facet is not as well-known to his admirers, but it is nonetheless a mark of his high merit as an artist.
Maqsood differs in his approach to writing and painting. Through writing, he often exposes the negative aspects of those he knows or has interacted with in society. His painting style, on the other hand, typically depicts characters in ambiguous situations whose past is easily understood but future is uncertain.
Works
Maqsood is often regarded as one of the leading Pakistani satirists/writers as well as highly respected in social and showbiz industry of Pakistan. He is often given credit for encouraging talented television actors like Bushra Ansari and Moin Akhter. He wrote various successful plays for television industry, including:
PTV
- Aik Sachi Chuk (Ptv Comedy Long Play)
- Amma (Ptv Long Play)
- Aangan Terha (Ptv Comedy Drama Serial)
- Fanooni Latifey (Ptv Comedy Long Play)
- Half Plate (Ptv Comedy Long Play)
- Is Tarah To Hota Hai (Ptv Comedy Drama Serial 1999)
- Karim Sahib Ka Ghar (Sachi Kahaniyan) (Ptv Comedy Long Play)
- Mirza and Sons (Drama 84) (Ptv Comedy Long Play)
- Nasri Ganey (Ptv Comedy Long Play)
- Show Sha (Ptv Comedy Stage Show)
- Studio Dhaai (Ptv Comedy Stage Show)
- Talaash (Ptv Drama)
- Zia Mohi-ud-Din Show (1969–1973) (Anwar Maqsood ghostwrote many scripts for this TV show)
NTM
- Studio Chaar Bees
- Sitara Aur Mehrunnisa
- Nadan Nadia
- Colony 52
Others
- Loose Talk (ARY Comedy Show)
- Majoo Mian
- Koi Aur Hai
- Hum Pe Jo Guzarti Hai
- Paunay 14 August
- Sawa 14 August
- Anwar Maqsood ka Dharna
- Siachen
Awards
- Pride of Performance Award by the Government of Pakistan in 1994
- Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Crescent of Excellence) Award by the President of Pakistan in 2013
- He received PTV Superstar award at PTV Awards in 2000
- Lifetime Achievement Honour at 4th Pakistan Media Awards
- Lifetime Achievement Award at Hum TV Awards ceremony
