A theatrical adaptation of Saadat Hasan Manto’s story Shahid – Saaz is a sharp satirical look at the post-partition era when people were swayed by the idea of sacrifice and martyrdom even as they struggled to adapt to a new national identity. The immense loss of life and property resulted in poor migrants living at the mercy of charity. And yet few shrewd businessmen profited from this, painting their profiteering with the colors of supreme sacrifice and martyrdom. Set in 1948 the story is about the journey of one such Punjabi migrant from Kathiawad, Gujarat in India to Lahore in Pakistan. Belonging to the class of ‘Baniyas’ the man, who had a successful business of cocaine in Kathiawad, Gujarat, travels to Pakistan in search of setting up a new big business in his newly formed homeland. Working hard to build his empire and multiply his wealth, he is suddenly struck by a misplaced angst that he had neglected doing any charitable work since his arrival here. He starts searching for that one charitable act that will earn him his place in heaven. But nothing seems worthy of his benevolence as he travels through the length and breadth of the city and shares his experiences after interacting with people of all types and classes.
PERFORMERS – NARENDRA SACHAR & SANJEEV MEHTA
STORY BY – SAADAT HASAN MANTO
ADAPTATION – SANJEEV MEHTA & MAYA RAO
PRODUCER – MAYA RAO
DIRECTOR NARENDRA SACHAR