The works of Patras Bukhari, the famous Pakistani humorist writer, broadcaster and diplomat, have always been an integral part of the fabric of Urdu literature. Most Pakistani students have read his brilliant, hilarious essays in their Urdu curriculum at school. Such was the case with Imran Iftikhar, Chaand Nagar’s Artistic Director, and a few years ago, he decided to bring Bukhari’s wit from the page to the stage.

The works of Patras Bukhari, the famous Pakistani humorist writer, broadcaster and diplomat, have always been an integral part of the fabric of Urdu literature. Most Pakistani students have read his brilliant, hilarious essays in their Urdu curriculum at school. Such was the case with Imran Iftikhar, Chaand Nagar’s Artistic Director, and a few years ago, he decided to bring Bukhari’s wit from the page to the stage.

Growing up, Imran found Bukhari’s essays to be a rare spark in the often dry landscape of prescribed Urdu readings. The sharp rhetoric, absurd situations, and laugh-out-loud humor of Patras Kay Mazameen left an indelible mark on him. But what surprised him was how little of Bukhari’s work had ever been adapted for theatre. That realization sparked a creative journey.

In early 2021, Imran wrote and directed three short plays inspired by three of Bukhari’s most beloved essays: Saweray Jo Kal Aankh Meri Khuli, Marhoom Ki Yaad Mein, and Mein Aik Mian Hoon. It was a labor of love that took over three months of writing and many more of rehearsals.

The process was not easy. Coordinating rehearsals around the busy schedules of eight working actors often meant working late into the night. Yet the commitment and camaraderie of the team – Ahad Ali Siddiqui, Zia Ur Rehman, Aafaq Shamshad, Ramil Aftab, Adil Yousaf, Usama Ahmad, Saboora Marium, and Umer Bhatti – carried the production forward.

Though their first performance was modest in audience size – COVID-19 restrictions loomed large – the response from those present was overwhelming. It wasn’t long before the production gained momentum. In August 2022, it was selected for the prestigious Alhamra Theatre Festival in Lahore, where it played to a packed house and earned a standing ovation. The show was widely praised in the press and went on to play at the Bhittai Auditorium in Islamabad, in front of another house-full audience.

One of the plays from that collection, Saweray Jo Kal Aankh Meri Khuli, was performed again on July 16, 2025, at the Pakistan Academy of Letters, reaffirming the timeless appeal of Patras Bukhari’s humor and its theatrical potential.

The experience served as a testament to the power of adaptation and collaboration. For Imran, it was a masterclass in persistence—navigating the challenges of production, directing, and leadership—but the joy and laughter shared with audiences made it all worthwhile. Through these adaptations, Chaand Nagar Theatre continues to celebrate the rich literary heritage of Pakistan by reimagining it for new generations.