LAHORE: A play named Khilona was staged by Nasty Productions at Alhamra Art Centre, The Mall, on Saturday night. The production group consists of students from different colleges and universities.

Among the actors, some are graduates, and some are graduating from different educational institutions.

The theme of the two-act play revolves around superstitions, and how humans fall under the influence of jinns. The story flow was interesting and full of suspense, while the background music pieces and light effects added to the suspense. The set was realistic and occasionally symbolic as props on the set were being continuously changed.

According to the director of the play, Nayum Faruki, “Khilona is an acclaimed original Pakistani play, a thriller that surrounds two estranged childhood friends, Amna and Hira. Hira develops a relationship with a mysterious dark entity. This relationship leads to the disappearance of Hira, leaving the dark entity searching for someone who can help him fulfil his goal. Years later, Amna and her family are left to deal with the darkness Hira left behind.”

The story goes that a jinn overcomes three members of a family one by one. They are taken to pirs who try to help out the woe-stricken souls.

The play was directed by Nayum Faruki, while the assistant director was Muneer Yamin, and the screenplay was by Taimour Mushtaq, Ali Qasim and Muneer Yamin. The production team had Asad Tariq and Ayemun Asim, and the social media of the play was handled by Eesha Sajjad. Set design and costume were by Minahil Hafeez and the choreographer was Shayan Khawaja. The cast included Samawia Zaman as Khadijah Aziz, Meera as Sherbano Rehmani, Ali Qasim as principal, and Amna as Anam Husain.

Other actors were Faheem, Jabbar, and Yahya Saqib. Demons were played by Taimour Mushtaq, Asad Mustafa Khan, Mashal Khan, Rayan Faisal, Muhammad Anees Qureshi and Usman Zia. Demonic entries were by Shayan Khawaja, Syed Haazique Bin Waheed, Mateen Jutt, Kamran Baloch, Ali Qasim and Ali Bhatti. Usman Zia played the role of a pir.

Published in Dawn, April 4th, 2022