SRINAGAR: Kashmir’s veteran TV producer, Zahid Manzoor is no more. After almost half a year of battling a life-threatening disease, he passed away on June 15, in a city hospital. He was almost 70.
Late in the afternoon on Thursday, he was laid to rest at their ancestral graveyard at Nambla Bal Pamapore. He is survived by his wife, a retired school teacher, son, an engineer and daughter, a banker.
Zahid Manzoor was known for shooting Bhanwar, the colour TV serial for Doordarshan Kashmir.
Zahid Manzoor’s illustrious career spanned nearly five decades, beginning in 1974 when he joined Doordarshan Srinagar as a Production Assistant. With his dedication, passion, and artistic vision, he swiftly climbed the ranks and held key positions as a Producer and Deputy Director in various Doordarshan Kendras, including Srinagar, Jalandhar, and Mumbai. His exceptional storytelling abilities and unique filmmaking style distinguished him from his peers, establishing him as a prominent figure in the field.
A FTTI trained professional, Zahid Manzoor was specially mentioned for shooting Urdu TV serials with differences “People used to call him Manmohan Desai of Kashmir for his professional acumen and capacity,” his colleague and friend, Shabir Mujahid said. “We lost a towering professional today.” Zahid started working with a 60 mm film camera and then picked up technology and pace to handle and direct the use of much bigger equipment.
Post-retirement, Zahid Manzoor ventured into the private sector, by joining a production house in Saudi Arabia. Later, he came home and took over as the head of Take One channel.
Zahid Manzoor was the son Mir Ghulam Ahmad Tawoos, a senior bureaucrat of his era. Engineer Khalid Muzaffar and former DIG Niyaz Ahmad are his brothers.
