Sanam Saeed’s 'Heer Ranjha' play to premiere at Napa
This is my second play with Napa and I appreciate the fact that their plays are not just literal, said Saeed
PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
Sanam Saeed’s short but illustrious acting career has seen her take on interesting characters. From working in relatively more niche or arthouse films like Mah-e-Mir to Mehreen Jabbar’s commercial flick Dobara Phir Se and even musical theatre.
Chup: Issue of ‘missing persons’ makes it to Karachi’s theatre house
After her last performances in Greese and Dhaani, and several films in 2016, she is set to mesmerise the fans with her performance with her upcoming film Cake, which is set to release by the end of the year.
But if it’s not possible to wait that long, she is also returning to theatre to portray Heer from the popular tragic romance tale of Heer Ranjha.
Directed by National Academy of Performing Art’s (Napa) Zain Ahmed, Heer Ranjha is a contemporary, Urdu musical theatre performance based on Kaifi Azmi’s play of the same name. Speaking with The Express Tribune, Saeed shared that she never quit theatre in the first place.
“It’s not about returning to theatre for me. I do theatre whenever I have time. My last play was a few years ago and I took a break from work because of my mother’s death,” she said. “Now I’m back and I have given almost two months to this theatre project, Heer Ranjha.”
Excited to portray the iconic character from the regional love saga, the Dobara Phir Se star said she had never done eastern musical theatre nor played Heer before. But more importantly, she shared her participation in the project was for a helping cause.
“It’s more about the charity for The Citizens Foundation (TCF). They’re doing great work, educating thousands of children. It’s for a good cause,” she added, as to why she accepted this particular project. “And then, working with Zain (director) is delightful.”
Talking about her work with Napa, she said, “This is my second play in collaboration with Napa and I appreciate the fact that their plays are not just literal. The theatre performed at Napa is quite minimalistic and contemporary. They are not just focused on the grandeur and scale of the sets and art direction, but also the story.”
Besides acting, Saeed will also be seen singing a few ballads in Heer Ranjha. Napa’s Hassan Raza will star opposite Saeed as Ranjha.
Artists hope to resolve conflict through art
Joining them will be music composer and Napa’s programs director Arshad Mehmood, Samina Ahmed, Nazar ul Hasan (who was recently seen in Na Maloom Afraad 2) and several Napa students and alumni. Sabiha Zia serves as the choreographer for the play, as well as will be seen acting. Additionally, Qazi Hassan serves as the stylist and art director, along with Nigel Bobby as the music director.
The play is set to stage from September 7 to 11 in Karachi, September 13 and 14 in Lahore and September 16 and 17 in Faisalabad.
Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.
Sanam Saeed’s short but illustrious acting career has seen her take on interesting characters. From working in relatively more niche or arthouse films like Mah-e-Mir to Mehreen Jabbar’s commercial flick Dobara Phir Se and even musical theatre.
Chup: Issue of ‘missing persons’ makes it to Karachi’s theatre house
After her last performances in Greese and Dhaani, and several films in 2016, she is set to mesmerise the fans with her performance with her upcoming film Cake, which is set to release by the end of the year.
But if it’s not possible to wait that long, she is also returning to theatre to portray Heer from the popular tragic romance tale of Heer Ranjha.
Directed by National Academy of Performing Art’s (Napa) Zain Ahmed, Heer Ranjha is a contemporary, Urdu musical theatre performance based on Kaifi Azmi’s play of the same name. Speaking with The Express Tribune, Saeed shared that she never quit theatre in the first place.
“It’s not about returning to theatre for me. I do theatre whenever I have time. My last play was a few years ago and I took a break from work because of my mother’s death,” she said. “Now I’m back and I have given almost two months to this theatre project, Heer Ranjha.”
Excited to portray the iconic character from the regional love saga, the Dobara Phir Se star said she had never done eastern musical theatre nor played Heer before. But more importantly, she shared her participation in the project was for a helping cause.
“It’s more about the charity for The Citizens Foundation (TCF). They’re doing great work, educating thousands of children. It’s for a good cause,” she added, as to why she accepted this particular project. “And then, working with Zain (director) is delightful.”
Talking about her work with Napa, she said, “This is my second play in collaboration with Napa and I appreciate the fact that their plays are not just literal. The theatre performed at Napa is quite minimalistic and contemporary. They are not just focused on the grandeur and scale of the sets and art direction, but also the story.”
Besides acting, Saeed will also be seen singing a few ballads in Heer Ranjha. Napa’s Hassan Raza will star opposite Saeed as Ranjha.
Artists hope to resolve conflict through art
Joining them will be music composer and Napa’s programs director Arshad Mehmood, Samina Ahmed, Nazar ul Hasan (who was recently seen in Na Maloom Afraad 2) and several Napa students and alumni. Sabiha Zia serves as the choreographer for the play, as well as will be seen acting. Additionally, Qazi Hassan serves as the stylist and art director, along with Nigel Bobby as the music director.
The play is set to stage from September 7 to 11 in Karachi, September 13 and 14 in Lahore and September 16 and 17 in Faisalabad.
Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.