The folk tale “Heer Waris Shah,” inspired by the poetry of the famous Sufi poet of Punjab, was staged in Islamabad in collaboration with the Pakistan National Council of Arts and Dolphin Communication. The play, adapted from Waris Shah’s iconic work, was brought to life with a script written by Arshad Chahal and directed by Asma Butt, with Muhammad Salman Sunni as the assistant director.
The performance featured several prominent artists. Shabir Shah played the role of Waris Shah, Kaleem Khan portrayed Ranjha, Nirmal Ali took on the character of Heer, Mehboob Ilyas played Keido, and Imran Rushdi was cast as Kherhy.
The stage was filled with a large audience who thoroughly enjoyed the drama, captivated by the actors’ spontaneous performances. The audience expressed appreciation for the play, noting that it provided both entertainment and a deeper connection to the rich cultural heritage of Punjab. Viewers praised the actors for their excellent performances, and Asma Butt’s direction was particularly lauded for successfully reflecting the region’s traditions and culture.
Fellow actors remarked on the combination of strong acting, dialogue delivery, and effective scriptwriting that contributed to the drama’s success. Asma Butt emphasized that such plays not only entertain but also educate the youth about their cultural roots, promoting values of peace, love, and harmony. She also noted that the continued support for theater in the twin cities proves that these cultural traditions are still cherished.
