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Anwar Maqsood has something to say about Naya Pakistan

Anwar Maqsood has something to say about Naya Pakistan

In his next August 14 play, Maqsood will explore the idea of 'Naya Pakistan'
03 Apr, 2019

Eminent writer Anwar Maqsood is these days busy writing a play titled Naya Pakistan which will be put up on stage on Aug 14. This was announced by the writer himself at a press conference at the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi on Tuesday afternoon.

Giving the background to his ongoing play Naach Na Jaane, Mr Maqsood said Dawar Mehmood (director of the project) and Ahmed Shah (president of the council) came to him and requested him to write a drama whose proceeds would go to a charitable cause: an endowment fund for artists –– the stage, TV and film artists who have gone off the (showbiz) radar and leading a financially challenged life.

Read more: Yasir Hussain is the hero of Naach Na Jaane and so is the script

Mr Maqsood said for the same reason, that is, the endowment fund, he’s writing another play which will focus on the phrase ‘naya Pakistan’. The central character will be a thailey-wallah (street vendor) who is trying to sell the old Pakistan in the new one. Characters such as Allama Iqbal will appear looking for their place in the fresh setup. The writer objected to the word 'naya', arguing this line of thinking should be revisited.

Speaking about Naach Na Jaane, Mr Maqsood said the production has had a great response. The general public has been queuing up to see the play. Consequently, its run has been extended to a few weeks, and it will probably run up until the holy month of Ramazan.

The director of Naach Na Jaane, who also helms Naya Pakistan, said the unprecedented success of the project has encouraged the team to take it internationally. Therefore soon it will travel to the UAE, South Africa and the UK.

Earlier, president of the Arts Council Ahmed Shah lauded the play, calling it a “phenomenal success”.

After the press conference, a scene from Naach Na Jaane was shown to the media. It was a sequence in which Akbar (Yassir Hussein) is seen arguing with Jahan Ara (Sara Bhatti) over Akbar eating the kebabs in a sneaky manner. Then Mahboob Ahmed (Abdullah Farhat) and Chaudhry Sahib (Asad Gujjar) enter the stage for a light banter.


Originally published in Dawn, April 3rd, 2019

Comments

Tahir Raouf Apr 03, 2019 10:49am
Ask the establishment before going for the project
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arbab Apr 03, 2019 11:14am
I remember Anwar Maqsood reading fake love letters for Imran Khan in his shows long ago. They were filled the most humiliating details of abject love for Imran. That was disgusting.
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Saif Zulfiqar Apr 03, 2019 12:05pm
Those who are criticising the present government should know that what PMLN and PPP have done this country? All the present ills are the creations of them. Give PTI the full period and than critcuse if they have done nothing. You can again elect PMLN or PPP if you think they were good.,,
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raj Apr 03, 2019 12:49pm
Best of the best Anwar Maqsood makes jokes about every politician and general public, his art of ambiguous wit is not aimed at any political party. It just hilarious fun, people should not criticise the legend
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ahmad Apr 03, 2019 12:50pm
Maqsood sahab's humor is too old school now.
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Alam Apr 03, 2019 04:07pm
The dude is losing innovative ideas!
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yes Right Apr 03, 2019 04:45pm
A giant legend of Everest proportions. Respect
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Chang Khan's admirer Apr 03, 2019 06:34pm
@Saif Zulfiqar Did the PTI let Nawaz Sharif complete his term and development plans peacefully?
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M. Saeed Apr 03, 2019 10:18pm
I had seen a stage show named "Awam Azeem HeiN" written and conducted by Anwar Maqsood probably in 1993 or '94 in which Benazir and Zardari were in audience with Bilawal a small kid. I wish the show could be aired again from archives of PTV.
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Salman Apr 04, 2019 01:40am
@Saif Zulfiqar WHAT period ? First, it was 100 days, then it was six months and now full period. What next ? Another term ?
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Moth Apr 04, 2019 02:39am
@raj so true. Anwar Maqsood - only one just like Imran Khan - one in millions
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Fazal Ahmad Apr 04, 2019 03:45am
Does the people of Pakistan ever spare any political leaders of any party from criticism. Sad to say that’s all we do the best is to criticize and degrade the politicians since the inception of the Pakistan.
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Bigray Amir Apr 04, 2019 06:09am
Naya burden naya debt devaluation inflation an amalgam of naya and purana leading to increased interest payments.
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N abidai Apr 04, 2019 07:27am
He lives in sindh, write about what will PPP had delivered ,what Bilwal will briing , what naya will that bring for this writer ! Honestly, 7month old gov't trying to take pak forward,watch a debate between Rana sanalullah ,pmln,and PTI economic team member, this will shows ,mwhat naya is, a team member that is using their expertise about economic to make Pakistan function at normal levels with other countries! While pmln, finance minister rigged the books with inflatable , soft rupee ! Plus the biggest changed is that PM IK is not money laundering pak funds!
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Faraz Apr 04, 2019 07:47am
Anwar Maqsood has bee absorbed by the corporate greed thus his shows have lost the glamour and being funny.
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