akhtawar is a new drama that portrays a young woman’s struggles. It has been produced by Nadia Akhtar and directed by Momina Duraid. It is the story of a courageous child trying to escape their oppressive surroundings. She is enthusiastic about her future and full of hope of a better life for herself and her mother.

The cast includes Yumna Zaidi, Zaviyar Nauman Ejaz, Saqib Sameer, Mizna Waqas, Noreen Gulwani, Shamoon Abbasi, Sunil Shankar, Huma Nawab and Adnan Shah Tipu.

The play is an adaptation of the real life story of a woman, Farheen Ishtiaq, who tried to do her best in a patriarchal society. In Bakhtawar, the titular lead played by Yumna Zaidi, leaves home to seek a better livelihood. She leaves her hometown with her mother and navigates Karachi dressed as a boy. Farheen Ishtiaq Naqvi, who lives in Lahore, had similarly found work to safeguard her daughter and eventually gone into business in Anarkali. She had made her story public once the circumstances improved.

In Bakhtawar, the father abandons Guddu, a disabled child, Bakhtawar and their mother (played by Huma Nawab) to battle destitution and those that will try to take advantage of them. They are financially reliant upon his brother. The story takes a turn when the uncle proposes that Bakhtwar marry his mentally challenged child. Following her brother’s death and the mounting pressure from her uncle, Bakhtawar runs away to Karachi with her mother to look for a better life.

After a few dismissals from work, she figures out how to get a well-paid position as a guide at a transport organisation. Despite her reservations, she does well. Things take a dangerous turn when her collaborator, Parveen, is shot by their supervisor for dismissing his proposition. Bakhtawar loses her employment and the place she had believed safe. She receives word that her morally bankrupt maternal aunt and uncle in the city are planning on selling her out to her uncle back home.

She refuses to give in to pressure and keeps trudging on even in the face of societal mistreatment and discriminatory landlords. The manner in which Bakhtawar ventures out as a boy, feeling liberated from the badgering and staring, makes her seem hopeful and strong.

To avoid being tracked by her uncle, Bakhtawar tries to go into hiding, losing her mother in the process. They are united after escaping horrendous encounters with some shady characters in the city.

Bakhtawar keeps looking for a refuge. This takes her to Saqib Sameer who refuses to rent his property to an unaccompanied women. In a moment of desperation, she lies and says that she has a brother as well. Left with no choice but to present herself as masculine, she chops off her hair and hides away any feminine aspects.

Bakhtawar’s adaptability is important, as is her fortitude and curiosity. She refuses to give in to pressure and keeps trudging on even in the face of societal mistreatment. The manner in which she ventures out as a boy, feeling liberated from the badgering and staring, makes her seem hopeful and strong.

Despite her determination, it is obvious that she is naive and doesn’t entirely know the ins and outs of living two lives. She unwittingly sits towards the front of the bus and feels awkward when approached to sit with the men in the back. The nuances give the character and it’s struggle moments of authenticity.

Bakhtawar and her mother are easy to root for. The negative characters like her insufferable bosses and uncle are easy to hate. This speaks to the actors’ prowess and believability. The drama has turned out to be an interesting one so far. It is highly recommended essentially due to the unusual storyline.

The author is currently studying English Literature at GCUL. He can be reached at bilalabid169@gmail.com