Pakistan's 'Charlie Chaplin' bringing laughs to frontier city

Photos

Login / Sign Up

Monday, November 25, 2024

Gold / Forex

Photos Entertainment

Pakistan's 'Charlie Chaplin' bringing laughs to frontier city

Khan has attracted more than 850,000 followers and garnered millions of likes on TikTok

Published: February 12, 2021 09:52 AFP and Compiled by Christian Borbon, Senior Web Editor

1 of 10

Copy of 520831-01-02-1613105791492 — Wearing a bowler hat and familiar toothbrush moustache, Pakistan's Usman Khan darts through traffic swinging a cane, teasing motorists and shopkeepers for laughs and a few rupees with a Charlie Chaplin impersonation that has become a viral sensation. Image Credit: AFP

2 of 10

Copy of 520838-01-02-1613105772700 — The 32-year-old actor in bustling Peshawar hopes the silent film antics of old will bring a bit of joy to the residents of the notoriously chaotic frontier city. Image Credit: AFP

3 of 10

Copy of 520823-01-02-1613105775151 — Khan said the idea to impersonate Chaplin's iconic character from "The Tramp" came to him as he watched a video of the legendary silent film actor while recovering from an illness. Image Credit: AFP

4 of 10

Copy of 520837-01-02-1613105768818 — "I thought that I should start acting like Charlie and spread happiness among the people, to take their minds off the coronavirus pandemic," Khan told AFP. Image Credit: AFP

5 of 10

Copy of 520827-01-02-1613105782625 — Dressed as Chaplin, Khan leaps into passing rickshaws, annoys local shopkeepers, and occasionally swats onlookers with his cane as he shuffles bow-legged across the city, where he is frequently mobbed by fans asking for selfies. Image Credit: AFP

6 of 10

Copy of 520835-01-02-1613105766154 — "It is my purpose to make people laugh, to make them happy, to help them get rid of their grief," said Khan. Image Credit: AFP

7 of 10

Copy of 520826-01-02-1613105779932 — The act has proven to be a hit. Image Credit: AFP

8 of 10

Copy of 520833-01-02-1613105763517 — In just two months, Khan has attracted more than 850,000 followers and garnered millions of likes on TikTok - the hugely popular platform in Pakistan where he uploads videos of his slapstick routine. Image Credit: AFP

9 of 10

Copy of 520830-01-02-1613105788485 — But it hasn't always been all laughs for Khan, who like many in Pakistan is struggling to hold down a full-time job amid the economic fallout of the coronavirus epidemic. Image Credit: AFP

10 of 10

Copy of 520824-01-02-1613105777658 — The Chaplin shtick, he said, has given him a new purpose. "That's why I like to get up like Charlie Chaplin, to hide all my worries and grief." Image Credit: AFP

Latest In

Germany fears outside hand in deadly DHL jet crash

10 minutes ago
Emirates celebrates AC Milan’s 125th anniversary

38 minutes ago
Teen Suryavanshi becomes youngest IPL player

1 hour ago
Eid Al Etihad in Dubai: 6-day celebrations unveiled
Abu Dhabi: SSMC hospital performs 500 robotic surgeries

This website stores cookies on your computer. These cookies are used to improve your experience and provide more personalized service to you. Both on your website and other media. To find out more about the cookies and data we use, please check out our Privacy Policy.

Photos Entertainment

Trending