On tour with Naach Na Jaanay

Islamabad: Newly engaged, Yasir Hussain and Iqra Aziz are in Islamabad for the evergreen Naach Na Jaanay, penned by Anwar Maqsood and put together by Dawar Mehmood; there will be a performance every evening at the Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA), Islamabad, till the 9th of August and Yasir, as we know, steps into the shoes of the late and legendary Salim Nasir.

One meets the young couple backstage, an hour before the play begins. Yasir says he’s performed at PNCA to have the gates fall off. Such is the demand and power of theatre. The quality of the playhouse though, has deteriorated over the years he complains. “I performed Phantom of the Opera here years ago and it was in top-shape but I don’t think it’s been maintained since. I genuinely feel upset seeing the floors and the roofs here; it’s not how I remember it to be.”

The love for the medium is thankfully very much intact and despite a hiatus of seven years, Yasir is still as passionate about being on stage. Amidst the last-minute hustle bustle that goes on before the curtains are raised, Yasir peacefully enjoys a meal before he changes into his costume to reprise the character of Akbar, which was originally essayed by Salim Nasir in the televised version of Aangan Tehra in the 1980s, and taken on by Yasir, in 2013, for its theatrical adaptation.

Classical Pakistani music from the ‘70s and ‘80s, reflective of the era that is depicted in the play, welcomes spectators to the auditorium that is sold out for the entire week ahead.

“Yahaan kay log tersay huay hotay hain theatre kay liye (People in Islamabad crave theatrical performances),” Yasir begins, speaking of returning to a city he’s lived in for over a decade. “And of course, everyone is a fan of Anwar Maqsood sahab’s writings and with Naach Na Jaanay being a prequel to the hit Aangan Tehra, it’s nostalgic, yet it’s a bit of a musical and very relevant to the current political landscape, which is why I personally find it even more entertaining to be a part of.” Having played the very character that has gone down in books for being performed to perfection by late Salim Nasir, Yasir does complete justice every time he steps foot into the role of the flamboyant character.

“I’ve always been taught that when you take up a character, it’s like having an empty glass and you have to fill in the water yourself,” Hussain shares. “And so to be able to get out of that character, it takes just as long for you to empty the glass again, which is why I didn’t shoot for anything in the two-month break I had between the Karachi and Islamabad shows. And that’s also why I already knew my lines, I just rehearsed a couple of times and I’m back in form.”

Though it’s a bit of a period piece in today’s times, the political satire in Naach Na Jaanay is most relevant. Albeit all in good humor, the play also takes a dig at the current Prime-Minister, Imran Khan, exceptionally portrayed by Usman Mukhtar.

As Yasir had said prior to the show, Naach Na Jaanay is incredibly apropos today for it speaks about a regressive standpoint and the position, or the lack thereof, of performers, dancers and musicians who have tirelessly contributed to the local heritage; which is also why the makers had vowed at the time of announcing the play earlier this year to distribute all its earnings amongst unemployed artists with no other source of income.

The play comes to a close with an expected standing ovation and a crowd cheering for every cast member, particularly Yasir, who outdoes himself by staying true to the Akbar we had known, but also accounts for the creative liberty of adding in even more flamboyance and hilarity with a pinch of distress.

“I would love to do theatre,” Iqra, by Yasir’s side, reflects on his performance and the conversation. “But just the thought of having to perform live for over an hour is terrifying to me. As somebody used to how things work on television, I can’t imagine not being able to have a retake or any margins for error. It’s like either you float or you sink. Seeing Yasir perform everyday really inspires me, as an artist.”

Iqra is accompanying Yasir on his tour with the play, travelling nationwide, currently playing in the Capital and to be performed in Lahore later. The two will then start filming a television serial together which, however, is a conversation for later. Yasir says has his plate full for the remaining year and that he now only wants to associate himself with projects that his heart leads him to.

“At this point in my life, I think I only do what appeals to me. It’s literally as simple as that. I didn’t find Chhalawa very interesting and so I did this play instead,” Yasir says on a parting note, touching upon the direction he wants his career to take. “It doesn’t have to be something that the viewers like; I’m not saying everything I do is great, but it should be for my own person. Something that’s new for me. I’m not a morning show host, which is why I left my talk show even when it was doing well. With television, this serial I’m doing with Iqra, I’m very excited about; it’s just my third.”