| Native name | البیلا |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Akhtar Hussain |
| Birth date | 21 September 1940 |
| Birth place | Gojra, Punjab, British India[1] |
| Death date | July 17, 2004 (aged 63)[1][2] |
| Death place | Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan[2] |
| Occupation |
|
| Years active | 1963–1994 |
| Awards | Nigar Award in 1990 |
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.[1] Albela is widely recognized as a stage actor who transformed Pakistani stage acting.[2] Some of his hit Punjabi films were Bharia Mela (1966), Badnaam (1966), Baoo Ji (1968) and Ishq Nachaway Beehi Beehi (1984).[1]
He was also a famous singer in Punjabi.
Personal life
Albela was born in Gojra, Punjab, British India (now in Toba Tek Singh District, Punjab, Pakistan) on 21 September 1940.[1][3]
He had seven daughters and two sons, including Honey Albela (born Hussain Raza), who has worked in comedy shows on stage and different television channels.[4][5]
Death
He died of heart failure on 17 July 2004 in Lahore, at the age of 63.[1][3] 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.[1]
Selected filmography
| Title | Released | Language |
|---|---|---|
| Ik Madari | 1973 | Punjabi |
| Khushia | ||
| Begum Jaan | 1977 | Urdu |
| Pakeeza | 1979 | |
| Rustam Te Khan | 1983 | Punjabi |
| Jagga Tay Shera | 1984 | |
| Silsila | 1987 | |
| Roti | 1988 | |
| Bazar-e-Husn | Urdu | |
| Sarmaya | 1990 | Punjabi |
| Hoshyar[6] | ||
| Zabata | 1993 | Urdu/Punjabi |
| International Luteray | 1994 |
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).[2]
Awards and recognition
- Nigar Award as Best Comedian for the Punjabi-language film Hoshyar (1990)[6]
See also
References
- ^ "Film, stage actor Albela passes away". Dawn News. 2004-07-18. Retrieved 2026-01-03.
- ^ Anjum (18 July 2012). "Actor Albela remembered". Pakistan Today newspaper. Archived from the original on 2 February 2022. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
- ^ "Death anniversary of renowned comedian Albela observed". Radio Pakistan website. 17 July 2024. Archived from the original on 4 August 2024. Retrieved 15 March 2026.
- ^ "Honey Albela Complains Father Not Getting Deserved Recognition". Reviewit.pk website. 2025-01-26. Retrieved 2026-01-03.
- ^ "Honey Albela - Biography - Stage Dramas". 2025-11-24. Retrieved 2026-01-03.
- ^ "Pakistan's "Oscars": The Nigar Awards". Hot Spot Film Reviews website. 24 November 2017. Archived from the original on 13 June 2020. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
External links
- Albela at IMDb