LAHORE: Renowned stage drama producer and director Syed Furgan Haider Rizvi`s death was widely mourned in the artists` fraternity both in Lahore and Karachi. The deceased had friends in both the cities though he hailed from Karachi and lived and worked there, introducing many prominent actors to theatre.

He passed away in Dallas, USA, after suffering from kidney disease. The news of his demise was announced by his fam-ily and close friends.

His friend, actor Khalid Abbas Dar, told Dawn that since 1975, Rizvi had been in constant touch with him. `He was a great guy and a wonderful director and producer,` said Mr Dar, adding that he himself did many plays in Karachi with Rizvi who was instrumental in giving Karachi theatre an identity of its own.

Dar said Rizvi had introduced Moin Akhtar, Umar Sharif and many other artistes, such as Rauf Lala, Shakeel and others in Karachi theatre.

`He was also in filmmaking too andproduced some films because he knew film editing, as well.

Dar said that just last Friday, Rizvi had asked him to reproduce and remake his famous play, Bakra Qiston Peh. The veteran actor said his association with Rizvi could not be described in words.

Aurangzeb Leghari, another senior actor, held Syed Furgan Rizvi in high esteem, saying that the deceased was instrumental in giving vibrant colours to the commercial theatre in Karachi.

He said Rizvi had cast him in many plays in Karachi.Syed Furgan Haider Rizvi, who produced several popular stage dramas, held a distinguished position in stage dramas both in Pakistan and the US. He took commercial theatre to new heights.

Besides the famous Bakra Qiston Peh, his other productions included Maseebat Dar Maseebat and Bachao Moin Akhtar.

During his illustrious career, Rizvi produced more than 250 stage dramas, focusing on social issues. Despite health issues, he recently produced a stage play, Dulha Online, in Dallas and invited several artistes from Pakistan to perform in it.