For more than three and a half decades, I have been associated with Pakistan's entertainment industry, hosting comedy and light-hearted television shows, acting in dramas, performing in stage productions, and presenting live stand-up comedy. During my appearances on Geo TV's popular talk show Hansna Mana Hai, I shared several memorable incidents from my career that audiences thoroughly enjoyed. Encouraged by that response, I now look forward to sharing these stories every week with the readers of Mag The Weekly and Akhbar-e-Jehan.

Although I was passionate about painting as a child and dreamed of becoming an artist, my natural sense of humour led me to write and perform in school plays. What began as a hobby eventually turned into a professional career in comedy.

One of the greatest influences on my career was the legendary comedian Fareed Khan. Along with him, senior journalists Asad Jafri and Talat Rauf also played an important role in encouraging me during my early years.

The story goes back to the late 1980s when I was performing stand-up comedy at a wedding in Karachi. During my performance, Fareed Khan, actor Shahid Shah, and singer Wahab Khan unexpectedly arrived and sat in the front row. I had always admired Fareed Khan and assumed that, being a fellow comedian, he might watch my performance with professional reserve. Instead, he laughed wholeheartedly, applauded generously, and appreciated every punchline.

After the show, I introduced myself and told him that I was one of his biggest fans. With his trademark wit, he jokingly asked whether I was his ceiling fan or floor fan. I immediately replied, "Neither—just consider me the fan in your hand." The exchange made everyone laugh. Impressed by my confidence and comedy, he invited me to visit him the next day.

When I met Fareed Bhai, he surprised me with the news that I would accompany him to Hyderabad for a major variety show featuring some of Pakistan's biggest stars, including Nirala, Tahseen Javed, Hassan Jahangir, Roohi Bano, and Meher Seemeen. It was an exciting opportunity but also a daunting challenge for a newcomer.

Before leaving, I made the mistake of washing my favourite woollen sweater despite being advised not to. Since it had not dried completely, I wore it while it was still damp. By the grace of Allah, my performance in Hyderabad was a great success and was warmly appreciated by both the audience and the senior artists. However, the celebration took an unexpected turn when the organisers took all the performers to watch the Indian film Dharam Veer. Sitting for hours in an air-conditioned cinema while wearing the wet sweater left me shivering throughout the film. By the time I returned to Karachi, the sweater's colourful design had even transferred onto my shirt, and I spent the following week recovering from a severe fever. When Fareed Bhai heard the story, he laughed and teasingly remarked,

“Ibtedaae ishq hai rota hai kya

Aage Aage dekhiye hota hai kya”

Soon afterwards, Fareed Khan took me to a corporate event at Karachi's Rex Auditorium organised by the late Jamshed Ansari. Hosted by Athar Shah Khan Jaidi and Fareed Khan, the programme became another turning point in my career. Although I had not originally been scheduled to perform, Fareed Bhai introduced me to the organisers, and my observational comedy received a tremendous response. The standing applause earned me recognition among corporate event organisers, opening doors that, by the grace of God, remain open even today.

Fareed Bhai also introduced me to senior journalist Asad Jafri, who appreciated my performance at a Lions Club event and presented me with a signed one-hundred-rupee note as a token of encouragement – a cherished keepsake that I still preserve. He later published my first photograph and feature article in MAG The Weekly. Soon afterwards, Talat Rauf published my first full-page interview in Akhbar-e-Jehan, giving my career even greater visibility.

Both Asad Jafri and Talat Rauf were journalists of exceptional integrity who believed in promoting talent on merit rather than personal connections. I remain deeply grateful to them, as well as to Fareed Khan, whose faith in my abilities helped shape the course of my career.

Next week, I will return with another memorable chapter from this continuing journey and introduce you to more remarkable personalities who became part of it.