Afghanistan’s Chaplin aims to make people smile
KABUL — Afghanistan’s Charlie Chaplin says he has witnessed suicide attacks, explosions and threats from extremist groups, but is determined to waddle and bumble to fulfill the primary goal of his life.
“It is very simple, I want to give Afghans a reason to smile,” said Karim Asir, a stand-up comedian who performs across the capital Kabul in Chaplin’s trademark oversized shoes, baggy pants, cane and black bowler hat.
Asir, 25, said Chaplin impersonators are found all over the world helping people forget their grief by making them laugh, and he does the same.
Asir’s early years were in Iran, where his family fled after the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 1996. There he saw performances of Chaplin on Iranian TV.
After the family returned home, Asir started wearing makeup and recreating Chaplin’s characters in his performances, despite his parent’s apprehension.
His live performances provide respite in a city that routinely gets attacked by Taliban insurgents and suicide bombers, mainly claiming allegiance to the Islamic State group.
Asir says he has been threatened by militants who say his performances are un-Islamic. But despite the warnings, he performs in public parks, orphanages, private parties and at charity events organized by international aid agencies.
“I want to give my people a chance to forget their problems such as war, conflicts and insecurity in Afghanistan,” he said.
Afghanistan’s traditional culture includes music and performance arts. However, under the Taliban’s rule from 1996 to 2001, most cultural activities were banned because they were seen as anti-Islamic.
In Kabul, when Asir’s fans surround him to take selfies, he smiles but is constantly worried about attacks.
“I am afraid of getting attacked by a suicide bomber or an explosion but these issues cannot stop me from being Charlie Chaplin,” he said.