Qavi Khan – The CAP Podcast #25

Qavi Khan, a legend in Pakistani entertainment in every way and form, has dominated theater, film and television for decades. With a career that started at the Radio Pakistan Peshawar Studio and spans over sixty years, Mr. Khan has experienced all the ups and downs of the entertainment industry; his association can be gauged by the fact that he played the lead in Pakistan Television's first ever drama released in November 1964. Mr. Khan's contribution in the form of a radio artist, television and film director, producer and most significantly, as an actor has made him a household name today. For his services in the field, he has been honored with both the Radio Pakistan and Pakistan Television Lifetime Achievement Awards, the Nigar Award and the prestigious "Sitara e Imtiaz". In conversation with the Citizens Archive of Pakistan, Mr. Khan reminisces the glory days of Pakistani theater, film and television and how each of the institutions played their part to polish and make him what he is today.

Muhammad Qavi Khan (Urdu: محمد قوی خان‎), better known by his screen name Qavi Khan, is a Pakistani film and television actor. He has also worked in Radio Pakistan and on stage. He was born on 13 November 1932. Though now largely working in television, he has been in 200 films.

Career

Early years, Radio Pakistan and PTV

Khan started at the age of five at All India Radio. After success, he went on to work in Pakistan Television Corporation in 1964 when the TVs became more common in the country, being one of the first actors of PTV. He started his film career in 1965.

Retiring from films and television plays

Qavi Khan filmography

Title	Released	Language
Tiger Gang	1971	English/Urdu
Mohabbat Zindagi Hai	1975	Urdu
Society Girl	1976	Urdu
Chan Suraj	1981	Punjabi
Kalay Chor	1991	Punjabi/Urdu
Zameen Aasman	1994	Punjabi/Urdu
Mausam	TBA	Urdu

He later began starring as an actor in the various television plays. Some of his recent works are:

• Andhera Ujala


• Do Qadam Door Thay


• Lahori Gate


• Mutthi Bhar Mitti


• Mannchalay


• Meray Qatil Meray Dildar


• Phir Chand Pe Dastak


• Durr-e-Shahwar as Mansoor (Old)


• Zindagi Dhoop Tum Ghana Saya as Akbar


• Baityaan


• Dastaan as Naseeb Bhai


• Tum Kon Piya as Waqar


• Aik Nayee Cinderella as Shah Baba


• Meri Behan Meri Dewrani


• Dr. Duago


• Sadqay Tumhare

Awards

Pride of Performance
Date	1980
Country	Islamic Republic of Pakistan

• 1980 Pride of Performance Award


• Radio Pakistan Lifetime Achievement Award


• 2005 The 1st Indus Drama Awards Special Award for his contribution to Drama, presented by Babra Sharif


• 2007 Lifetime Achievement Award


• 2012Sitara-e-Imtiaz by the Government of Pakistan

PTV Awards

• PTV Award for Best Actor


• Lifetime Achievement Award

Nigar Awards

• 1969 Nigar Award for Best Supporting Actor-Bahu Rani


• 1976 Nigar Award for Best Supporting Actor-Aaj Aur Kal


• 1978 Nigar Award for Best Supporting Actor-Parakh