Photos: Afghanistan’s Charlie Chaplin wants to give people a reason to smile

His live performances provide respite in a city that routinely gets attacked by Taliban insurgents and suicide bombers. In Kabul, Afghanistan's Charlie Chaplin says he has witnessed suicide attacks, explosions and threats from hardline Islamic militant groups, but is determined to waddle and bumble to fulfil the primary goal of his life.

Updated on: Sep 14, 2018 11:27 AM IST

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Karim Asir, a Charlie Chaplin impersonator, exercises during his rehearsals in Kabul. Afghanistan’s Chaplin says he has witnessed suicide attacks, explosions and threats from hardline Islamic militant groups, but is determined to waddle and bumble to fulfil the primary goal of his life. (Mohammad Ismail / REUTERS)

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“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. (Mohammad Ismail / REUTERS)

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Asir reacts during his rehearsals. The 25-year-old said Chaplin impersonators are found all over the world helping people ignore grief and making them laugh, and he does the same. (Mohammad Ismail / REUTERS)

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Karim Asir performs at a school in Kabul. His early years were spent in Iran, where his family fled after the hardline Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 1996. It was there he saw performances of Chaplin on Iranian TV. (Mohammad Ismail / REUTERS)

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Schoolboys watch Karim Asir perform. After the family returned home, Asir started wearing make-up and recreating Chaplin’s characters in his performances, despite his parent’s apprehensions. (Mohammad Ismail / REUTERS)

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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. (Mohammad Ismail / REUTERS)

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His live performances provide respite in a city that routinely gets attacked by Taliban insurgents and suicide bombers, mainly claiming allegiance to Islamic State. “I want to give my people a chance to forget their problems such as war, conflicts and insecurity in Afghanistan,” he said. (Mohammad Ismail / REUTERS)

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In Kabul, when Asir’s fans surround him to take selfies, he smiles but is constantly worried about attacks. (Mohammad Ismail / REUTERS)

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Karim Asir watches a Charlie Chaplin movie in Parwan province. Asir says he has been threatened by militants who say his performances are un-Islamic. But despite the threats, he performs in public parks, orphanages, private parties and at charity events organised by international aid agencies. (Mohammad Ismail / REUTERS)

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“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. (Mohammad Ismail / REUTERS)