KARACHI: The theatrical version of writer Haseena Moin’s iconic TV serial Ankahi will be staged from March 15 at the Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi.

This was announced at a press conference on Thursday evening.

Director of the play Dawar Mehmood said the idea was floated by president of the council Ahmed Shah. He (Dawar) liked the idea and requested him to let him do the play.

Mr Shah said Haseena Moin was the country’s eminent writer. She had trend-setting TV dramas to her credit in which she never presented weak women. She started writing from the 1970s and at the centre of all of her stories was a strong middle-class woman. At the time she began doing this, no one thought that it was a campaign but the message was strong and her drama writing was so good that it would capture the audience’s undivided attention.

The discussion for a play was going on for the last two or three years, and Mr Mehmood wanted either Ankahi or Dhoop Kinaray to be put up for stage. Finally, it was decided that the former had more theatrical elements in it. And all was being done with Ms Moin’s permission.

Sajid Hasan, Saqib Sumeer adapted the series for stage

Ms Moin said she hoped that the play would turn out well because Ankahi’s was a precious story. She did not want to give it to anyone. She even turned down a similar offer for film from India. But Mr Shah and Mr Mehmood could not be turned down and she was certain that they would do it in a better way. Her only wish was that Sana’s character (originally essayed by Shehnaz Sheikh) should be played well. She had always been choosy when it came to casting, which was why her directors always consulted her in the process. It’s not a difficult play but timing in comedy was not easy to get.

Actor and writer Sajid Hasan (who has adapted Ankahi for stage with Saqib Sumeer) said in our society individuals such as Haseena Moin were not recognised the way they merited. It’s sad that if a writer was still writing and his/her creativity was not being used.

He called Ms Moin a self-effacing person and pointed out that she was generous enough to agree to let her story be used. It’s a testimony to Ms Moin’s immortal greatness that a tribute was being paid to her in 2020, he remarked and requested everyone to come and see Ankahi as much as they could. He also praised Mr Shah and Mr Mehmood for the effort that they’re putting in to keep theatre going.

Mr Sumeer said though it had taken time for the script to come along but he felt that a quality product was on their hands.

After the press conference, Mr Mehmood introduced the cast of the play. They are: Amna Ilyas (who will play Sana), Sohail Hashmi, Waqar Ali, Taha Humayun, Ali Sheikh and Shafqat Khan.

Published in Dawn, February 7th, 2020