The School of Visual & Performing Arts (SOVAPA) at the Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi, successfully staged “System Down Hai” as part of its Alumni Series. The production marked the fourth theatrical presentation under the SOVAPA Alumni Series. Written by acclaimed playwright Bee Gul and directed by renowned theatre practitioner Khalid Ahmed, the play featured a compelling lead performance by Nazar Ul Hassan, whose remarkable portrayal captivated the audience and earned widespread appreciation.
The event was attended by Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi President Ahmed Shah, veteran actress Samina Ahmed, distinguished actor Manzar Sehbai, singer and social activist Shehzad Roy, acclaimed actress Saba Hameed, Rubina Ashraf, and a large number of theatre enthusiasts. Speaking on the occasion, Ahmed Shah congratulated director Khalid Ahmed, writer Bee Gul, actor Nazar Ul Hassan, and the entire production team on the successful presentation of the play.
He remarked that “System Down Hai” was far more than a theatrical performance; it was a profound reflection on life, death, love, and the enduring struggles of the human spirit. He noted that the production held the audience spellbound from beginning to end and praised Nazar Ul Hassan for bringing exceptional depth, sincerity, and authenticity to his character.
Ahmed Shah further reaffirmed the Arts Council’s commitment to promoting meaningful and high-quality theatre in Pakistan. “System Down Hai” offered audiences a mysterious and thought-provoking theatrical experience. The story revolves around Abdul Ghafoor, a simple man of modest means who finds himself in an interrogation cell located in Barzakh—the metaphysical realm between heaven and earth. From this liminal space, he recounts the story of his life, his love, his death, and a perilous profession that ultimately cost him everything. Blending modern theatre with traditional storytelling, the production weaves together poetry, memory, and philosophical reflections on life and mortality into a deeply moving narrative that lingers long after the final curtain falls.
Nazar Ul Hassan delivered a masterful performance, portraying his character’s emotional depth, pain, love, and inner turmoil with remarkable nuance and conviction. His powerful stage presence and compelling interpretation received an enthusiastic response from the audience, making “System Down Hai” one of the most memorable productions of the SOVAPA Alumni Series.
