Latif Kapadia


Latif Kapadia was a Pakistani stage and television actor.

Career

Born in Nashik, a city in the Maharashtra state of British India of Gujarati descent. His parents originated from Abrama village near Navsari, Gujarat. Latif Kapadia migrated to Karachi at the age of 13 and started his career as a stage actor. He was initiated into acting in 1953 by a theatre-loving couple, Meherji and Pervaiz Dastur. They presented many plays in the 1950s.
In 1957, Latif Kapadia joined the Avant-Garde Arts Theatre formed by Ali Ahmed and Latif's elder brother, Ghulam Ali Kapadia. Ali Ahmed's play, Sheeshay Kay Aadmi, was a great hit. Latif Kapadia had played a pivotal role in it. His other noted plays that earned him fame were Qissa Jagtay Sotay Ka, Ek Din Ka Sultan and Phir Bhi Hum Jeetay Rahay.
In 1967, When Pakistan Television came to Karachi, Latif Kapadia did his first television play, Sheeshay Kay Aadmi, recreating the same role.
His other television plays include:
Latif Kapadia also played a role in a film Very Good Dunya, Very Bad Log, film was released in 1998. He was fond of singing also and used to sing the songs of his friend, Ahmed Rushdi, who was a well known singer of Pakistan film industry.
On 23 March 2001 Latif Kapadia received the Pride of Performance award from the President of Pakistan. He got the award for his services towards theatre in Pakistan.
Latif Kapadia died of cardio-respiratory arrest two days after his 68th birthday. He left behind his wife, a son and four daughters. Latif Kapadia was buried in Mewashah graveyard in Karachi.