PESHAWAR: Known Pashto film star Badar Munir is no more but he lives on not only in the hearts of his fans rather through smalltime actors who dress, act and even have his unique haircut too.

Badar Munir, a film actor popular during the 1970s and `80s as he acted in around 416 Pashto, Urdu and even Punjabi films, died in Oct 2008 but during his film career spanning over three decades he earned title as `hero of the masses` especially for thePashto-speaking people.

Recently a tribute was paid to the masses hero where Badar Munir`s look-alikes acted in a play to highlight how there was dearth of actors like Badar Munir as well as good quality Pashto films.

As these actors waited backstage for their turn in the play, they shared their own reasons for continuing with a profession, which didn`t earn them a decent livelihood. All the three actors said their love for Badar Munir was what kept them going. And the extent to which they loved was visible from their outlook too.

`I used to watch his films since childhood and it inspired me to act in films,` said Afsar Khan, who is stout and has a haircut which despite his curly hair reminds one of Badar Munir`sunique locks.

He said that once he met Badar Munir in Lahore. `He kept smiling at me as he recognised I was trying to copy his style at least in outlook if not in acting as good as him,` he added.

Taj Munir, who acts in Pashto films and CD dramas, is also a fair and stout guy with long curly locks and moustaches. `I am acting in a private TV channel comedy in which my character is aptly called Badar Munir,` he said.

Taj Munir said when someone pointed out that he was copying Badar Munir`s style, he simply told them that he was his elder brother. `I really have respect for Badar Munir. He was a real Pakhtun hero. He never acted in vulgar films,` he added.

Taj Munir felt bad that Pashto film industry was facing a down-fall owing to poor quality of films.

He said wherever he went he was respected by people just becausehe looked like Badar Munir.

Another actor Islam Khan who has been acting in Pashto films and DC dramas is also inspired by Badar Munir`s acting and style.

`I love acting as Badar Munir was my hero and inspiration, said Islam Khan. He added that since the quality of Pashto films deteriorated it was only his passion for acting which kept him to continue with this profession.

`The films in which Badar Munir acted were of good quality, they were produced by good film producers. Now we don`t find such good productions in Pashto film industry,` he lamented.

Pashto films industry might be dying slowly but it is love for actors like Badar Munir which is keeping the Pashto great hero alive even after his death.