Fakhar-e-Alam

Fakhar-e-Alam (Punjabi, Urdu: فخر عالم; born 19 January 1976) is a Pakistani actor, TV host, video jockey, producer and singer,[1] famous for introducing the bhangra-rap fusion genre of music in Pakistan. Though he is still considered a pioneer of bhangra-rap music culture in Pakistan, he is now more popular for hosting TV shows, sports broadcasts, and high-profile national and international productions. He also served as the chairman of the Sindh Board of Film Censors from 2013 to 2016.[2]

Fakhar-e-Alam
فخر عالم
Born (1976-01-19) 19 January 1976
Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer-songwriter
  • Musician
  • Actor
  • VJ
  • Host
Years active1993–Present
LabelsSound Master
Websitemissionparwaaz.com

In 2018, he became the first and, to date, the only Pakistani in world history to circumnavigate the globe in a solo flight, in what he called Mission Parwaaz. He was aiming for a 28-day schedule and was planning on flying to 30 airports around the world.[3]

Early life and education

He was born on 19 January 1976 in Lahore and spent his early childhood in Lahore before moving to Islamabad.[4][5]

His maternal grandmother Akleem Akhtar, also known as General Rani, was a socialite close to dictator General Yahya Khan, who ruled Pakistan from 1969 to 1971, while his mother Aroosa Alam is a journalist.[6] Due to his father's work in the Foreign Service of Pakistan, he travelled widely.

He started schooling in Islamabad before going to school in the United States. After a few years of education and exposure in the United States, he returned to Islamabad to finish his schooling. He also attended Government College University, Lahore.

Afterward, he moved to Karachi, and since 2004, he has been living in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), as an overseas Pakistani.

In 2022, after doing an online course from the Harvard Business School, he earned an Alternative Investments certificate at the age of 46.[7]

Career

Music

Fakhar-e-Alam started his career as Pakistan's first rap artist with the music album RAP UP in 1996. The same year, he debuted as a presenter in Pakistan's first pop chart television show, Music Channel Charts. After the success of Music Channel Charts, he was offered the position of a presenter for Pepsi Top of the Pops. [4][5]

He met great success with his single "Bhangra Pao", a fusion of bhangra and rap music, in 1995. He received a gold disc for his debut album and is considered one of EMI Records' most successful artists. The single was also broadcast on MTV.[4][5]

Acting

He has acted in movies such as Very Good Dunya Very Bad Log (1998) and in television serials such as Do Biwiyan Ek Bechara (2018).

Production

When he arrived in Karachi in 2004, Fakhar-e-Alam was offered a CEO position in an electronic media marketing company. He accepted the offer and stayed with the company for three months. He then launched his own production house called Industree Productions.

Philanthropy

Fakhar-e-Alam was actively involved in humanitarian activities and relief work after the 2005 Kashmir earthquake.[4][5]

Hosting

For GEO Television, Fakhr-e-Alam hosted the show Bolain Kya Baat Hai (Tell Us What is the Matter?) telecast on Geo Super, where he interviewed various sports personalities and discussed cricket and other sports-related events.[4]

Fakhr-e-Alam started an entertainment show, The Big Show, on CNBC PAKISTAN on 17 December 2011.[5]

Fakhr-e-Alam's show Aaghaz-e-Safar, based on real-life stories of Pakistanis, aired on 18 April 2014. The show was produced and directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, a two-time Pakistani Oscar winner. It was the first time Obaid-Chinoy produced for a Pakistani TV channel. The show aired on AAJ TV in Pakistan.[8]

In 2016, after the murder of a popular qawwal, Amjad Sabri, in Karachi, Fakhr-e-Alam led a movement pressing for better government security for artists.[9]

On 1 August 2017, he became the second Pakistani celebrity invited to speak at Googleplex.[10] The next day, he visited the Facebook headquarters, making him the first Pakistani celebrity to do so. [11]

In May 2021, he was announced as the host of 60 Hours to Glory, a military reality show featuring several international teams. It was broadcast on Hum TV, Hum News, and PTV Home.[12] On 27 June 2021, he was bestowed with the UAE golden visa, making him the first Pakistani celebrity to receive it.[13]

On 2 October 2021, Fakhr-e-Alam announced a partnership with Dubai-based esports organisation Galaxy Racer. As a result of the deal, the two parties will collaborate to create Galaxy Racer Pakistan.[14] Later that month, he hosted the sports show The Pavilion on A Sports as part of its coverage of the 2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup.[15][16]

Awards
  • National Film Award for Best Actor in Very Good Dunya Very Bad Loag (1998)
  • Sitar-e-Eesaar (Presidential Medal of Sacrifice and Honour) in 2006
  • Sitara-e-Imtiaz for hosting in 2022[17]

Discography

Albums
  • Malang (1997)
  • Falam Connection (2001)
  • Falam Ab Tak (2004)
  • B3 (2012)

Filmography

Films
Year Title Note
1998 Very Good Dunya Very Bad Log Film debut
2000 No Paisa No Problem
2006 Sarhad Paar Special appearance

Television
Year Title Role Channel Note
1999 Gulls & Guys PTV Documentary and travel guide reality show
2018 Do Biwiyan Ek Bechara Faisal ARY Digital Lead role in a comedy-drama serial

Books
  • Mission Parwaaz: Fakhr Alam Making History, Markings Publishing, 2019, 219 p. Book detailing how he circumnavigated the globe in a solo flight.[18]

References
  1. Joy, Prathibha (20 September 2011). "I'm doing good cinema: Manjari Fadnis". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 18 April 2012. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
  2. Qamar, Saadia (20 September 2013). "Fakhr-e-Alam: The new face of Sindh's Censor board". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  3. "Fakhre Alam becomes the first Pakistani to circumnavigate the globe solo". Dawn Images. 4 November 2018. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
  4. "Profile of Fakhr-e-Alam". VIDPK.com website. 9 November 2011. Archived from the original on 24 March 2017. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
  5. Fakhar-e-Alam Is Back With The Big Show On CNBC Pakistan Awamiweb.com website, Retrieved 15 August 2021
  6. Desai, Ashok (27 March 2007). "THE RANI GENERAL FILES - The legacy of Akleen Akhtar lives on in her daughter". Telegraph India. Retrieved 4 October 2023. I do not know what happened to her numerous children, except one — Aroosa Alam. Aroosa did not show early promise. She married and had a son in 1976, Fakhr-e-Alam, who became more famous than her.
  7. "'Never too old to learn': Fakhr-e-Alam awarded Alternate Investments certificate from Harvard Business School". Dawn News. 21 September 2022.
  8. Syed, Madeeha (11 April 2014). "Aaghaz-e-Safar: "This show will be groundbreaking"". Dawn. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  9. "'No difference between politicians and us': Fakhr-e-Alam demands better security for artists". Dawn Images. 24 June 2016. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  10. Murtaza, Syed M. "Fakhr e Alam becomes first Pakistani to speak at Google/Facebook | Pakistan Today". Pakistan Today. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  11. "Fakhre Alam invited for lectures at Google, Facebook headquarters". Samaa TV. 3 August 2017. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  12. Haq, Irfan Ul (4 June 2021). "Fakhre Alam teases new military reality show 60 Hours to Glory". Dawn Images. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  13. Gokulan, Dhanusha (27 June 2021). "Fakhr-e-Alam is first Pakistani celebrity to get UAE Golden Visa". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  14. "Fakhr-e-Alam takes $40 million stake in Galaxy Racer". Daily Times. 2 October 2021. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  15. "Who is Shaniera Akram going to cheer for during the Pakistan versus Australia T20 match?". Dawn Images. 9 November 2021. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  16. "Watch: Pakistan greats Wasim, Waqar and Misbah's showtime banter will leave you in splits". Khaleej Times. 1 November 2021. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  17. "President confers Pakistan civil awards on 253 personalities". The Express Tribune. 14 August 2022. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  18. "Fakhre Alam is launching a book based on his Mission Parwaaz". Dawn News. 6 November 2019. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
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