Syed Kamal

Biography

Syed Kamal (27 April 1937 – 1 October 2009) was a celebrated Pakistani actor, director, producer, and screenwriter who became an iconic leading man in Urdu and Punjabi cinema throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Born in Meerut, British India, and related to Indian actor Naseeruddin Shah, Kamal migrated with his family to Pakistan in 1956 after exploring early acting opportunities in Indian films. ​He made his Lollywood debut in the 1957 film Thandi Sarak and quickly rose to stardom, eventually earning renown as Pakistan's first major "comedy hero" due to his witty timing, everyday charm, and physical resemblance to Indian legend Raj Kapoor. Over a career spanning more than 80 films, he starred in landmark projects such as Tauba (1964) and Ek Dil Do Deewane (1964)—the first color film from West Pakistan—and won a Nigar Award for Best Punjabi Actor in 1976. Alongside acting, Kamal directed and produced notable films like Shehnai (1968) and the satirical hit Insaan Aur Gadha (1973). In his later years, he successfully transitioned to television, delivering a memorable performance alongside his son, Ghalib Kamal, in the acclaimed PTV social drama Kashkol (1993), before passing away in Karachi in 2009.