Nirala

Nirala, real name Syed Muzaffar Husain Zaidi (Urdu: سيد مظفرحسین زيدي‎) was a Pakistani comedian and film actor. He only appeared in Urdu films made in Pakistan. His first film was Aur bhi gham hain (1960). His last film was Choroan Ka Badshah, which was released in 1988, three years after his death in 1985. His most successful film was Armaan in 1966, in which he played a supporting role with Waheed Murad.

He was born in Uttar Pradesh in the late 1930s. His exact date of birth is unknown. Nirala was raised in India and then moved to Pakistan along with his family elders after the independence of Pakistan in 1947. They settled in Karachi in a rented house located at Abyssinia Lines (now known as Shahrah-e-Faisal Road) in Karachi.

Syed Muzaffar Husain Zaidi was renowned for his jokes and gimmicks since his earlier days. In the year 1959, he was invited to an entertainment program in Karachi. In that function, he entertained the public with his comedy. The audience was all praise for Muzaffar's one particular comedy, in which he acted as a professional pigeon caretaker. That caretaker's entire life revolves around pigeons. A year later, Syed Muzaffar Husain Zaidi changed his name to Nirala and debuted in the 1960 film Aur bhi gham hain, producer, Danish Dairwee, director, A.H. Siddiqui. In his debut movie, Nirala played the role of that same pigeon-lover, who was obsessed with pigeons. Nirala's interest was to create laughter, and he was highly successful at it.

The film Saperan, 1961, put his movie career on upswing; producer, Shabab Kiranvi, director, Daud Chand. Nirala struggled hard and made a name for himself as a comedy actor in director S.A. Ghaffar's 1963 film Mr. X.

Besides working in the movies, Nirala performed comedy routines at private parties, social events and stage shows around the country. In the 1970s, he married an Indian woman and had many children. He continued his profession as a comedian until his death in 1985.

In the 1980s, Nirala moved to Karachi and made stage appearances with comedian Umer Sharif. He was fond of chewing beetle leaf. Excessive use of beetle leaf took its toll on his health, which deteriorated with the passage of time. He died on December 9, 1985, in Karachi. Nirala's last film was Choroan ka badshah, which was released three years after his death in 1988.

1966- Nigar Award for Best Comedian for the film, Armaan.