Sauntering in the bazaars: Cowboy of Faisalabad's Ghanta Ghar

FAISALABAD: Lack of resources held this Faisalabad resident from pursuing a career on the big screen, but did not stop him from being known as a hero in his cowboy attire, in the streets around Ghanta Ghar.  

"I wanted to be an actor but could not," 70-year-old Muhammad Saleem said while talking to Geo News. He attributes the reason to lack of education and resources that barred him from pursuing a career in the film industry.  

Nevertheless, Saleem did not give up and it since over three decades now, he puts on the outfit of a cowboy and roams the streets around Ghanta Ghar in Faisalabad, where locals are entertained by his get-up.

In the evening, Saleem changes into a pair of pants fastened by a belt, that is embellished with frills, two sides of his pant also have space to keep toy guns, just like a real cowboy does. This is topped with a bright-coloured shirt and matched with a pair of sunglasses and a high-crowned cowboy hat – all this making it seem like he is ready for the shooting of a film.   

He goes about, sauntering in the eight bazaars around Ghanta Ghar where adults and children alike are amused to see him. Locals say that although Saleem could not make it to the big screen, he has nevertheless made himself famous among them who know him by this identity – of a hero.

"It does not matter if he is a hero of movies or not, he is our hero," said a local.

They also help Saleem by giving him some money every now and then that adds to his household income.

But that is not the source he solely relies on for the bread and butter of his family. 

From six in the morning until noon he works at the vegetable market. After winding up at the market, he heads home in the afternoon, changes in his cowboy clothing and goes out in the streets where he stays till evening.

He has six children – three daughters, who are married – and as many sons.