Anwar Maqsood – The CAP Podcast #40

Mr. Anwar Maqsood is a renowned playwright, poet, television host, humorist, painter who has worked in the entertainment industry since the 1970s. In conversation with The Citizens Archive of Pakistan, he recalled how he started his career in the entertainment industry.

Anwar Maqsood Hameedi (Urdu: انور مقصود حمیدی) commonly known as Anwar Maqsood (b. 1935) is a Pakistani scriptwriter, television host, satirist, humorist, and infrequent actor. He is well known for his artists write ups for Pakistan Television Corporation in late 1970s.

Early life and family

Maqsood was born on 7th September, 1935, in Hyderabad State. Maqsood studied at the Gulbarga Trust School inAurangabad. He belongs to several prominent families of Pakistan which include: his sister, Fatima Surayya Bajiawho was a known writer in Pakistan and South Asia, his other sister Zehra Nigah, a known poet, his brother, Ahmed Maqsood, former Chief Secretary of Sindh, and his other sister Zubaida Tariq, a cooking expert and chef. His wife, Imrana Maqsood is a known novelist and his son, Bilal Maqsood is a rock artist and lead guitarist of a rock band called Strings.

Career

Maqsood has been associated for many years with Pakistan Television Corporation where he served as presenter for a variety of its shows including Studio Dhaiand then Studio Ponayteen along with Show Sha and a large number of others.

As a writer

He wrote various successful plays for television industry in Pakistan which as follows.

• Fifty Fifty (sketch comedy)


• Show Time (comedy interactive show)


• Aangan Terha (drama series)


• Half Plate (theatrical teleplay)


• Fanooni Latifey (teleplay)


• Show Sha


• Silver Jubilee show


• Studio Dhaai


• Studio Paunay Teen


• Talaash (miniseries)


• Aisa Bhi Hota Hai


• Colony 52


• Sitara Aur Mehrunnisa (drama)


• Nadan Nadia (sitcom)


• Loose talk


• Majoo Mian


• Koi Aur Hai


• Hum Pe Jo Guzarti Hai


• Pawney 14 August


• Sawa 14 August


• Anwar Maqsood ka Dharna (satire)


• Nestlé Nido Young Stars (lyricists)


• Siachen

Awards

• Hilal-e-Imtiaz


• Lifetime Achievement Honour at 4th Pakistan Media Awards