Sohail Ahmed
Pakistani actor and comedian (born 1963)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sohail Ahmed (Punjabi: سہیل احمد) (born 1 May 1963), also known as Azizi (Urdu: عزیزی), is a Pakistani actor, comedian and director.[2]
Sohail Ahmed | |
|---|---|
Ahmed in 2019 | |
| Born | 1 May 1963 |
| Other name | Azizi |
| Notable work | The character of Azizi in the Hasb-e-Haal comedy show since 2008 |
| Children | Hamza Sohail (son) |
| Comedy career | |
| Medium |
|
| Genre | |
| Subjects | |
| Pride of Performance Award Recipient | |
|---|---|
| Date | 23 March 2011[1] |
| Country | Islamic Republic of Pakistan |
| Presented by | Asif Ali Zardari (President of Pakistan) |
He appears in television serials, movies and comedy stage plays principally based in Lahore.[3][4]
Sohail Ahmed is best known to the wider public for his character of Azizi in the Dunya TV comedy show Hasb-e-Haal, where he has been active since 2009.[5] He developed the character in collaboration with his co-anchor Aftab Iqbal when Hasb-e-Haal started on Dunya News.[6]
Early and personal life
Sohail Ahmed was born in Gujranwala, Punjab, on 1 May 1963.[7]
His maternal grandfather Faqir Muhammad Faqir (1900–1974) was a philanthropist as well a writer called Baba-e-Punjabi ("father of Punjabi") because he authored more than 40 books in Punjabi, while his father Mian Muhammad Akram was a DSP in Gujranwala.[8] He has three brothers: Javed, a journalist and poet, and Aurangzeb and Junaid, both teachers. His brother Junaid Akram is a published author of Punjabi literature.[9]
His son Hamza Sohail, an MBA from London, is also an actor, who made his debut in 2021 with Hum TV's Raqeeb Se.[10]
Career
As a stage actor, Sohail is known for his improvisation skills, preferring to use spontaneous or impromptu dialogues during comedy shows.[3]
Most of the television serials that he has acted in have been on PTV.[4]
In January 2009, Sohail started playing the character Azizi in the show Hasb-e-Haal on Dunya News, where he does humorous commentary on social, current affairs and other topics.[11]
The Government of Pakistan has bestowed upon Sohail the Presidential Pride of Performance (2011)[1] and the Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence) (2013).[12]
Filmography
Television serials
| Year | Title | Role | Director | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Sooraj Ke Sath Sath | Munshi Mehar Dad | PTV | |
| 1990 | Fishaar | Malik, student leader | ||
| Raig Zar | Murad | |||
| 1992 | Aik Din "Saboot" | Baba Barkat | ||
| Haweli | Aslam Pardesi | |||
| Din | Badruddin | |||
| Nashaib | Doctor | |||
| 1993 | Zakham | Zahoor (Zed) | ||
| Shab Daig | Mister Sajjad Shah | |||
| 1994 | Manchalay Ka Sauda | Umair | ||
| Takmeel | Nawaz | |||
| Ehsan | Younus | |||
| Premesher Singh | Premesher Singh | |||
| Lawrence of Thalabia | Maskeen | |||
| 1995 | Eendhan | |||
| Dukh Sukh | Mehboob | |||
| Raiza Raiza | Naseeb Muhammad | |||
| 1996 | Ranjish | Ishaq | ||
| Apne Aur Sapne | Abdul Qadeer | |||
| 1998 | Home Sweet Home | Bhai Mian | ||
| 1999 | Ghareeb-e-Shehar | Chaudhry Ashraf | ||
| 2001 | Kajal Ghar | Chaudhry Riasat Ali | ||
| 2003 | Shanakht | |||
| 2005 | Sussar In Law | Chaudhry Akbar | ||
| 2006 | Malangi | |||
| Kharidar | ATV | |||
| 2008 | Choki # 420 | AAJ TV | ||
| Juda | ATV | |||
| 2010 | Shaam |  | ||
| 2013 | Ullu Baraye Farokht Nahi | Ishaq Malkana | Hum TV | |
| 2022 | Chaudhry and Sons | Chaudhry Dildar Ali Hoshiarpuri | Geo Entertainment | |
| 2023 | Jeevan Nagar | Babbar Shah / Laali Guru | Green Entertainment | |
| 2024 | Standup Girl | Ustad Ameer Khan Sahab |
Films
| Year | Title | Role | Country | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Gori Diyan Jhanjaran | Pakistan | Punjabi | Film debut | |
| Jangloos | Urdu | ||||
| 1995 | Shartia Mithay | Munna | Punjabi | Also stage drama of the same name[13] | |
| 1997 | Umar Mukhtar | Villain | Urdu | [14] | |
| 2017 | Punjab Nahi Jaungi | Mehtab Khagga | Urdu/Punjabi | ||
| 2018 | Jawani Phir Nahi Ani 2 | Mr. Balani | Urdu | ||
| 2022 | Dum Mastam | Bao's father | [15] | ||
| London Nahi Jaunga | Chaudhry Kafil | Urdu/Punjabi | [16][17] | ||
| Ghabrana Nahi Hai | Chaudhry Sajjad | Urdu | |||
| Babe Bhangra Paunde Ne | Mr. Iqbal | India | Punjabi | Indian Punjabi debut[18] | |
| Tich Button | Chaudhry Nijaz | Pakistan | Urdu | ||
| 2023 | Huey Tum Ajnabi | Khanum Jaan |
Television shows
| Year | Title | Role | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009–Present | Hasb-e-Haal | Azizi | Dunya News |
| 2017 | Parody Punch | ARY Digital |
Stage dramas
- Shartiya Mithay[19]
- Kaali Chaadar
- Feeqa In America
- Kotha
- Ek Tera Sanam Khana
- Roti Khol Deo
- Bara maza aye ga
- Double Sawari[19]
- Topi Drama[19]
- Ashiqo Gham Na Karo
- Luddi Hai Jamalou
- Kuch Na Kaho
- Titliyan
- Suway Lal
- Deewanay Mastanay
- Sawa Sair
- Saheli Mere Shohar Ki
- Le Ja Sakhiya
- Shabash Begum[19]
- Khirki Ke Peechay
- Soney Ki Chirya
- Haye Oye
- Kangley Parauhne
- Raja Ab To Aaja
- Haasay Wandi De
- Aik Jhoot aur Sahi[19]
- Wonderful
- Sohni Lagdi
- Ketchup
- Rawangi Baraat
- Dum Dama Dum
- Love Spot
- Baba Cable
- Kotha
- Hazar Janaab
- Mouqa Milay kadi kadi
- Taj Mahal
- High Speed
- No Tension
- Begum Mujhe Eidi Do
- Paon Ka Zewar
- Wailay Masroof
- Kaun Jeeta Kaun Haara
- Pholay Badshah
- Baba Bori
- Munday Nu Samjhao
- Anokhi Dulhan
- Garam Garam
- Nokar Sahib
- Reshman Jawan Ho Gayi
- Dil Da Boowa
- Check Post
- Hot Pot
- Chabian
- Yeh Baat Aur Hai
- Miss Peeno
- Anjanay Log
- De Ja Sakhya
- Khandan de Khadonay
Awards and honors
- Pride of Performance Award by the President of Pakistan in 2011[1]
- Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence) Award by the President of Pakistan in 2013[12]