Albela (actor)

Akhtar Hussain (21 September 1940 – 17 July 2004), better known by his stage name Albela, was a Pakistani actor, comedian and singer.

In a career spanning over 50 years, he performed in numerous films, and television and theater plays. Albela is widely recognized as a stage actor who transformed Pakistani stage acting. Some of his hit Punjabi films were Bharia Mela (1966), Badnam (1966), Baoo Ji (1968) and Ishq Nachaway Gali Gali (1984).

More occasionally, he was also a singer in Punjabi.

Personal life
Albela was born in Gojra, Punjab, British India (now in Toba Tek Singh District, Punjab, Pakistan) in 1940.

He had seven daughters and two sons, including Honey Albela who have worked in comedy shows on different television channels.

Death
He died of heart failure on 17 July 2004 in Lahore, at the age of 63. Before his death, Albela was admitted to Ittefaq Hospital, Lahore following heart and liver ailments. He was buried in Green Town, Mian Chowk Graveyard, in Lahore.

Selected discography

 * Mausam Vee Ashiqana. Punjabi music album released by EMI Pakistan in 1987, also featuring Mehnaz Begum and Sarwar Mehdi.
 * Kali Meri Pag. Song of Albela with Masood Rana and composed by M Ashraf for the Punjabi film Allah Ditta (1988).

Awards and recognition

 * Nigar Award as Best Comedian for the Punjabi-language film Hoshyar (1990)