Theatre Play “Mirza Ghalib in Karachi” Steals the Show at Awami Theatre Festival 2026

 By: Aziz Khatri

 Karachi: The stage play “Mirza Ghalib in Karachi” received an overwhelming response from theatre enthusiasts on the second day of the Awami Theatre Festival 2026, organized by the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi.

Written and directed by Wajih Warsi, with music composed by Mujtaba Naqvi, the play creatively blended fiction with reality, imagining the legendary poet Mirza Ghalib’s arrival in present-day Karachi. The role of Mirza Ghalib was brilliantly portrayed by Shakir Baig Danish, whose energetic and lively performance kept the audience thoroughly engaged.

The cast also included Sapna Ghazal, Qurat-ul-Ain, Abdullah Humair, Wahaj Wajih, Huriya Qureshi, Aun Humair, Wahaj Ali, and Minahil Hameer, all of whom delivered impressive performances and added depth to the narrative.

Through humor, satire, and poetic expression, the play reflected the contemporary social conditions of Karachi. Selected couplets and ghazals of Mirza Ghalib were skillfully woven into the storyline, enhancing its literary and cultural appeal. The cheerful and witty portrayal of Ghalib remained the focal point of the performance, drawing continuous laughter and applause from the audience.

The auditorium resonated with laughter and appreciation as the audience responded enthusiastically to the actors’ performances, making “Mirza Ghalib in Karachi” one of the most applauded productions of the festival so far.