'Versatile, Warmhearted': Fellow Artists Recall Time With Shabira Channa

'Versatile, Warmhearted': Fellow Artists Recall Time With Shabira Channa
Seasoned actress Shabira Chana –  known for her work in Sindhi television plays –  passed away at Dow University Hospital, Karachi, late on Sunday night.

She had been fighting for her life at the hospital for the past 20 days after she sustained serious injuries in a road accident on the second day of Eid (April 23) when she was on her way to Nawabshah to attend a marriage ceremony.

Moving scenes were witnessed at the hospital where Shabira's daughters and other family members and colleagues were wailing inconsolably over her tragic demise.

Expressing their remorse, noted actor Rafique Essani said that the people of Sindh will always remember Apa Shabira for her distinguished style of acting and warmhearted nature. He said that the actress was the identity of the Sindhi entertainment industry.


The comic duo of Ali Gul Mallah and Sohrab Soomro shared their memories with the actress, and wished well for her daughters and other family members.

Read this too: Actress Shabira Channa Put On Ventilator As Condition Worsens

Shabira gained popularity for playing comic roles. When the private Sindhi entertainment channels were launched during the first decade of the century, she became the first choice of directors alongside Nasreen Naz and Shama Sindhi.

She started her acting career in 1987. She is known for pioneering comedy roles for Sindhi plays, as it was a rare phenomenon. Her debut was in a drama for PTV produced by Bedil Masroor.

The versatile actress performed in over 500 Urdu and Sindhi dramas, besides playing memorable comedy roles in the Sindhi plays. She rose to fame by playing the iconic role of a village lady Khairan in the Sindhi soap serial 'Pathar Duniya', and also hosted a music show on Awaz TV.


Other eminent names of the Sindhi entertainment industry, too expressed their grief Shabira's demise and termed it a huge loss for the entertainment industry of the province and the country.

The author is a practicing lawyer and freelance journalist. His areas of interest are cultural diversity and socio-political issues of Sindh.