Who says a good playwright can’t do standup comedy? In fact, most standup comedians write their own skits. So, when the daddy of all comedy writers decide to have a comedy act, then who are we to comment.
Yes, I am talking about the legendary playwright Anwar Maqsood’s latest stand up show ‘Faqat, Anwar’ where he made a packed hall at the Arts Council, Karachi break into laughter, for one full hour, nonstop.
The 80-year-old genius was on top of his game in this Kopykats Productions program. Let’s analyze what made the ‘Faqt, Anwar’ an affair that shouldn’t be missed, and why.
- Anwar Maqsood paid a glowing tribute to Moin Akhtar
His most frequent collaborator and friend Moin Akhtar passed away in 2011 and since then, Anwar Maqsood hasn’t said much about him. However, in Faqat, Anwar he praises Moin Akhtar as the greatest actor he ever worked with and then narrated an unused episode of Loose Talk, their popular comedy program.
Anwar Maqsood acted both the parts of the host and the guest (a Pathan), reminding us all that TV a few years back was educational as well as informative. He also narrated an incident where Moin Akhtar made him switch roles with Bushra Ansari, and the way Anwar sahib described it, made his show all the more interesting.
- His opening and parting jibes were the best
Three generations of Pakistan have grown up in the era of Anwar Maqsood; his TV programs were canceled, censored and misunderstood (for the better) but not many knew what caused those decisions.
Anwar Maqsood narrates some of the incidents that either saw him go to Islamabad to tender a written apology, or to face an angry mob who calmed down after he explained to them the real reason behind his actions. And in the closing moments of the show, he narrated his own version of Atif Aslam’s latest Coke Studio song Wohi Khuda Hai and everyone in the audience just couldn’t stop clapping.
- For the first time, he narrated his backstory
We all know that Anwar Maqsood was part of a huge family but for the first time in front of a live audience, he disclosed previously unknown details of his family. He told all about his maternal grandfather and how he motivated them despite losing everything when they migrated from India.
He also spoke about his earlier days in school and narrated the poem that won him a prize of four rupees from his teacher and mentor Khawaja Moinuddin. He also spoke at length about his siblings and their accomplishments which was something we all should listen to and try to emulate.
- You can’t keep Anwar Maqsood away from politics
And then there was the discussion of Kyon Nikala and Mujhe Nikalo that was less about Nawaz Sharif and more about Dr. Adnan for a change. Anwar Maqsood also read some of the fictitious letters he received from literary people who are no more part of this world.
The letter from Patras Bukhari was as entertaining as the reply from Allama Iqbal was; the fight between Mehmood and Ayaz, Quaid’s decision to celebrate his death anniversary and the mention of other Quaid just kept the audience laughing and clapping. There was no stopping because Anwar Maqsood kept on going, and going without looking at his watch for the first 45 minutes of the one-hour show.
- It was as up-to-date as the Gabba Test!
Usually, artists are people who live in their own shell but Anwar Maqsood is a man of many talents. His remarks on everything were to the point and up to date and there was nothing old about them.
His ‘TV Today’ segment where he just announced the names of TV dramas was too hilarious as was his take on Pakistan Cricket team’s current position in the first Test against Australia. The legendary playwright knows how to cater to a well-read audience who was applauding every sentence narrated by him and gave him a standing ovation at the end.
from HUM TV – Watch Dramas Online https://ift.tt/2s7cKfV
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