The outlaw Sultana Daku is wanted dead or alive. Well aware of the bounty on his head, Daku wants to retire and be commemorated in the form of a biography before he dies.
Hence, he orders his henchmen to abduct a violinist and a journalist for the purpose of writing his biography. If you’re wondering why he decided to abduct the violinist, know that it is purely for entertainment value.
As the biography moves along, tales become larger than life, peppered with filmy Bollywood lines. The journalist, who’s a reporter by profession, stresses that he can only write the story, not print it. Daku retaliates, stating that the story be written and formatted in English so he can get away with subtle lies which are more obvious if written in Urdu language.
There are also a number of other prominent characters, constantly adding spice to the play as the plot unfolds. Daku’s partner, called 18, resides with the gang, and her jhatkay and nakhray are what make it more of a commercial success. A definite first for Pakistani theatre was the presentation of a caged lioness on stage (yes it was real) also referred to as Mano, the Daku’s little cat. The booklet provided at the venue mentions that “no animals were harmed in the making of this theatre play”.
The leading man of the show is none other than Salman Shahid, who plays the role of Sultana Daku effortlessly.
Daku’s henchmen Chuski and Kackraa, are played by Usman Ali Khan and Zubair, respectively. These two definitely steal the limelight, and if the play is a success, it’s due to their brilliant dialogue delivery.
As a smart journalist called Danish, Ahmad Ali can perform better. While the purpose of his role is to untangle knots and put things in perspective, he doesn’t quite pull through, and his performance can be best described as mediocre.
Violinist Ustad M Saleem does complete justice to his part, playing the right music at the right time, and really setting the mood of the scene.
Abdullah Farhatullah has written a great play, but his direction falls short in some instances, making it look as if some actors are over-reacting. Producers Usama Qazi and Mohsin Ejaz also deserve credit for producing this play in a rather somber Karachi. Props and setup by Ahmed have been duly noted, and very accurately depict the look of a robber’s den.
The play runs in FTC Auditorium till the September 8, 2013, and begins every evening from 8: 30pm. Regular tickets are priced at Rs1,000, with student tickets priced at Rs500.
Verdict: If you’re up for some hilarious moments with friends and family, and can relate to filmy Bollywood lines from the ‘80s, then this play is right up your alley! However, if you prefer satire or drama, this play is a no-go.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 24th, 2013.
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