The 13th day of the 39-day World Culture Festival 2025 was marked by the celebration of film and theatre, featuring screenings and stage performances in Urdu and Sindhi languages that received great appreciation from the audience. The day began with a film screening session titled “Central / South Asian Stories”, featuring two films,” Fish on the Hook”, a joint Iran and Tajikistan production and” Scent of Life” from Afghanistan.
Both films attracted a large audience. “Fish on the Hook”, directed by Muhiddin Muzaffar, tells the story of a ten-year-old boy named Daler, who embarks on a journey with a gambler named Samad to find his mother. Along the way, Daler faces challenges that shape his personality and maturity. The film highlights the importance of family from a child’s perspective.
The Afghan short “Scent of Life”, directed by Sayed Mohsen Hossaini, portrays a student preparing a gift for his friend. The film, presented in Persian, was praised for its emotional simplicity and human connection. At the end of the film screening, a bouquet was presented to Satish Anand by the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi as a gesture of appreciation.
Later in the evening, renowned playwright and director Sameena Nazeer presented her Urdu theatre play “Kheltay Raho” at Studio II. Actors Samhan Ghazi and Rachna Kirpalani delivered powerful performances in this two-character absurd play set in a cold, lonely night in Istanbul. The story depicts a woman seeking shelter from bad weather with her baby and the emotional world that unfolds within the flat — filled with hope, fear, truth, and illusion.
The play also references “Alf Laila, where “ شہرِ زاد “ tells a new story each night. The day concluded with the Sindhi adaptation of the French playwright, actress, and novelist Yasmina Reza’s acclaimed drama “Art”, directed by Paras Masroor. The cast, comprising Arshad Shaikh, Nadir Hussain, and Umair Bhutto, captivated the audience with their remarkable performances. The play revolves around three old friends, Serge, Marc, and Yvan — whose friendship is tested when Serge buys an expensive all-white painting, igniting a debate about the true meaning of “art.” Their clashing perspectives strain their friendship, and the mediator, Yvan, only deepens the conflict through his efforts to reconcile them. Both Urdu and Sindhi theatre performances received overwhelming applause from the audience, reflecting Karachi’s deep appreciation for art and culture.
The World Culture Festival 2025 continues to feature diverse cultural events daily, attracting enthusiastic participation from the people of Karachi. The grand festival will run until December 7 at the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi.
