Islamabad - A comedy stage play “Ghar Aya Mehmaan” was well hosted by a jam-packed amphitheatre, which indubitably came as a feast for spectators after a long period of interruption to such recreational activities in the capital.
The story of play staged at Pakistan National Council of Arts is still as relevant in today’s society as it would be back in 1986 when Amjad Islam Amjad wrote it.
Directed by Nabeel Iqbal Awan and produced by Ahtasham Zaib, the play deals with the concepts of lust for money, love, relations, entrustment and biased or voluntary commission of mistakes in order to stage the bitter social realities.
The plot of story rotates around orphan-turned-educated and wealthy Majeed (Ali Raza) whose uncles Agha (Azhar Feroz) and Professor Kamali (Ehsan Qureshi) compete for his money and relation for Najma (Mala) and Nuzat (Novin Ahsan), their respective daughters, despite knowing that none of them love one another.
On returning Pakistan Majeed is disgraced by his uncle but soon, after realising that he is no more a poor orphan, Agha shifts his behaviour and regards him as a loved one. After getting the news of Majeed’s affluence and arrival in the country, Kamali too comes to own him.
Initially unaware of the ulterior intentions of his uncles, Majeed soon comprehends what they are vying for, after the two start fighting for him.
Arshad (Ashraf Abdul Rehman) is the son of Agha. His character represents an irritated segment of youth whose wishes are always suppressed by their authoritative elders. Saleem (Syed Irfan Haider) is a likeminded buddy of Arshad and is never liked by Agha.
The three-member family lives in the red zone of the city. Witty assertions related to prolonged sit-ins and blockade of roads kept on stirring the audience with laughter. Abida (Taskeen Victor), niece of Agha, comes as a guest to attend a wedding of her friend in the same city.
Trio of Najma, Abida and Nuzat is attributed to Majeed who does not show any such inclination. Jumman (Imran Rushdi), house servant, is the core persona in terms of creating maximum sense of humour and talent throughout the play.
Abid Ali, a professor and an audience member, said overall impact of the story contrasted with the works of writer who is otherwise well acknowledged for authoring dramas like Waris, Dehleez, Samandar, Raat, Waqt and others.
“He is seemed to have written it in a free lyrical style rather than more formal story narration having dramatic stages of precisely knit plot, a delicate and rhythmic discourse, moderate mode, or a moral narrative,” he added.
The play will continue till October 3 from 8:00pm to 10:00pm.