Mohyeddin made his big screen debut with David Lean's 1962 classic Lawrence of Arabia.
Zia Mohyeddin, legendary actor, director, TV presenter and the first Pakistani to ever work in Hollywood, passed away on Monday after a brief illness. He was 91 years old.
The veteran actor was admitted to a hospital in Karachi, where he lived, after complaining of abdominal pain and fever. He was later put on life support after a surgical procedure.
According to his family, he breathed his last at 6:30 a.m. Mohyeddin's funeral prayers are performed after the zuhr at Imambargah Yasrab in Karachi's Defence Phase IV, Dawn newspaper reported.
Born on June 20, 1931, in Lyallpur, now Faisalabad in Pakistan's Punjab province, the multi-hyphenate received his education at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London.
Mohyeddin made his debut on the big screen in the British historical drama "Lawrence of Arabia" (1962), directed by David Lean, and went on to star in the Hollywood film "Behold the Pale Horse" (1964), directed by Fred Zinnemann.
The Pakistani actor also worked with Indian cinema icon Shashi Kapoor in the film "Bombay Talkie" (1970), set in the Hindi film industry of the time. In the film by Merchant Ivory Productions, the Pakistani star played the role of Hari, the on-screen friend of Kapoor's character Vikram.
In addition to his work in British cinema and television, Moheyddin also starred in Pakistani films and hosted a popular television talk show, "The Zia Mohyeddin Show."
The internationally acclaimed artist founded the National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA) in Karachi in 2005 and trained a number of budding artists. He is the author of three books 'A Carrot is a Carrot', 'Theatrics' and 'The God of My Idolatry Memories and Reflections' and also writes columns for various newspapers.
In 2012, Moheyddin was awarded the Hilal-e-Imtiaz, Pakistan's second highest civilian award, for his contribution to the arts.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his sadness at the passing of the legendary artist.
In a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office, the prime minister said Mohyeddin's art was "unique" and his unique style was admired not only in Pakistan but around the world, Dawn newspaper reported.
"It is sad that a person with many beautiful qualities has left the society," he said. The voice of Zia Mohyeddin will continue to resound in our hearts and minds," he said.
President Arif Alvi expressed his sadness over the veteran actor's passing in a tweet, "For me it is a personal loss. He was a giant of the arts, an actor, producer, director and, above all, an outstanding reciter of prose and poetry, accompanied by music, typically introduced with a pause." "One day a worried Zia came to me in the 90s and told me he was under stress, when he asked why? He said, I know Shakespeare from cover to cover, but now I tend to forget him. A giant indeed. May Allah give strength to the world of arts, Azra, his wife, family and children to bear this loss," Alvi said.
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan also offered his condolences to the grieving family.
"I am saddened to learn of the death of Zia Mohyeddin. I knew him for decades. He was a very cultured person, extremely well-read, especially in Urdu literature, and an institution in the world of entertainment. We will miss him. My condolences and prayers go out to his family," Khan said in a tweet.
Condolences poured in from both Pakistan and India on social media.
Pakistani star Mahira Khan said the country had lost a "great" artist today.
"Rest in peace sir, thank you for the countless ways you have served the arts of this country. #ZiaMohyeddin," she tweeted.
Pakistani actor Adnan Siddiqui said the late actor left an indelible mark on Pakistan's cultural landscape.
"The world of arts is bidding farewell to a maestro - Zia Mohyeddin - broadcasting legend, poetic virtuoso, actor and theatre director. As we celebrate his life and legacy and mourn his loss, we are reminded of the immense impact he had on our cultural landscape. #ZiaMohyeddin," Siddiqui wrote on Twitter.
Popular singer-songwriter Shafqat Amanat Ali said Mohyeddin leaves an "immortal legacy."
"Zia Mohyeddin saheb is not only a legend and an icon. He was an institution that influenced and shaped generations... A great loss! Rest in peace #ZiaMohyeddin," Ali wrote.
Indian actor Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub said a large part of the artist in him will always be "indebted" to Mohyeddin for introducing artists like him to the nuances of the performing arts.
"If you have not heard Zia Mohyeddin saheb yet, please go to YouTube and listen to him. Rest in peace, Zia saheb. You will live on forever in the hearts of your fans and well-wishers," Ayyub wrote in a brief Instagram message.
Indian film and theatre actor Danish Husain said Mohyeddin had been "an inspiration."
