Shafi Muhammad Shah

Shafi Muhammad Shah (شفیع محمد شاہ) PP (7 September 1949–17 November 2007), commonly known as Shafi Mohammad, was a Pakistani film and television actor.

Popularly known as Shah Jee, he worked in some 500 television dramas in both Urdu and Sindhi, while also starring in some notable movies, such as Biwi Ho To Aisi (1982), Aisa Bhi Hota Hai (1984), Talash (1986) and Rubi (1986).

Early life
Shafi was born in Kandiaro, Naushahro Feroze District, Sindh, and got his early education in Hyderabad before earning a postgraduate degree from the University of Sindh, Jamshoro.

Career
Shafi began his career with plays broadcast by the Hyderabad radio station and later moved to Karachi and began his career as a TV actor.

His first TV play was in Sindhi, Moti-a Jehro Mann-e, telecast in 1972.

Shah was introduced by the well known PTV producer Shahzad Khalil in his Urdu-drama serial Teesra Kinara from where he joined the elite club of the leading TV stars.

Death
Shafi died in his sleep at his Clifton home on 17 November 2007. His funeral prayers were offered at Imambargah Yasreb in the Defence Housing Authority. He was buried in the Defence graveyard. The cause of death was liver failure.

Social activism
On 12 March 2004, Shafi joined UNICEF and WHO efforts to help persuade the parents of minor children about vaccination against polio.

Tribute and honour
In 1985 he received the best actor award from Pakistan Television.

At the 9th PTV Awards he won the Best Actor Award in 1998.

The day following his death, participants at a Karachi Press Club (KPC) meeting paid tribute to Shafi. In the meeting organised by the KPC's cultural committee, numerous artists, including Anwar Solangi, Manzoor Qureshi and Mumtaz Kanwal, turned up to paid their respect to the actor they had known and loved.

On 16 November 2008, the first death-anniversary of Shafi Mohammad Shah, a book titled "Wo aadmi tha ya moti dana? (transl. Was he a human being or a Pearl?)", authored by Nagina Hisbani on the life and artistic performance of Shah, was launched. The launching ceremony was organised by the Sindh Fankaar Welfare Trust, at the Mumtaz Mirza Auditorium.

Shafi Shah won Best Actor Drama Series in The 1st Indus Drama Awards 2005 for Maa Aur Mamta (Mannat). He was also recipient of 'Pride of Performance Award' from the President of Pakistan.

Notable television plays

 * Aanch
 * Bund Gulab
 * Chand Grehan
 * Dairey
 * Deewarain
 * Jungle
 * Adam Hawa aur shaitan
 * Zeenat
 * Kali Dhoop
 * Marvi
 * Mohabbat Khawab Ki Surat
 * Mannat (Maa Aur Mamta)
 * Tapish
 * Teesra Kinara
 * Zehar Baad
 * Dhori (Ary Digital)
 * Kaanton sey aagey (Tv one)
 * Muhib Sheedi (1992) (Sindhi language)
 * Ilzam (1993)
 * Muskarahat (1995)