Veteran actor, director and producer Abid Ali passed away Thursday, leaving behind a vacuum likely to remain unfilled for quite some time and a lingering saga confirming that the 'people in small localities have fire in their hearts'. Born in Quetta in 1953, with inclination towards performing arts, he was soon on his way to Lahore to try his luck. His very first role, in classic Jhok Siyal TV serial, earned him huge recognition. But it was his nuanced performance in serial Waris that established him as a formidable actor. He also worked in a number of plays, and directed and produced films like Dasht, which brought out his inner self and his life that was not on the screen. Abid Ali has left behind his wife, three daughters and a mass of admirers, including many in his own field of show business. Among the messages that have poured in on social media, the one sent by actress Saba Qamar is quite touching: "Today our industry lost a gem. Words surely not express the loss of Abid Ali sir ... He always brought so much light to everyone around him". He loved to portray out-of-norm odd peculiar characters. He was a ferocious reader of Paulo Coelho.
Abid Ali lent actualization to the roles assigned to him. It is one's hope and wish that Abid Ali's down-to-earth portrayal of ordinary life will help entertainment industry shift its focus from the plush, unreal depiction of life to the mundane realities as they exist in today's Pakistan. It is heartening to know that several people from various walks of life have paid rich tributes to the legendry actor. And they include President Arif Alvi who lauded Abid Ali's services to the world of art. But just the messages are not enough - the government should walk the talk by instituting 'Abid Ali TV Award'.