Humsafar: India hopeful, Pakistan clueless

Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan starrer Humsafar is one of the most critically-acclaimed Pakistani TV productions. Following its release on Zee Network, India, it gained a massive following in the region and garnered praise within the Indian film fraternity and audiences alike.

After the formal ban imposed by the All-India Cine Workers on all Pakistani artists and content back in 2019, the news of an Indian theater production of Humsafar seems to be a step in the right direction. However, the details seem sketchy and there are multiple statements from multiple sources regarding the matter.

Indian actor Imran Zahid, who is also a protégé of the acclaimed film director Mahesh Bhatt, is spearheading the ambitious project. Zahid has previously worked on many stage adaptations of Bhatt’s films (Arth, Daddy) and claims to have reached a mutual understanding with one of Humsafar's producers, Momina Duraid. He is set to act in and produce the play for Indian audiences.

“We’ve approached Pakistan’s HUM TV regarding the stage adaptation rights for the Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan starrer Humsafar serial," Zahid as quoted by the Times of India (TOI). "We are currently in discussions with Momina Duraid, the creative head of HUM TV and CEO of MD Productions, who also happens to be the creator of Humsafar.”

Mahesh Bhatt, who is also slated to present the play, has reportedly told TOI that he firmly believes that India and Pakistan can bridge their differences through cultural exchange.

"When I began my crusade to close these gaps through movies, people laughed and called it an impossible dream. But the truth is that Indian movies are now being shown in Pakistan, and Pakistani soaps are being shown in India."

"While television and cinema have a broad reach, theatre could also be a powerful medium to gradually influence the consciousness of the people," he added.

Sources close to HUM Network have confirmed to Nukta that talks about an Indian stage adaptation of Humsafar are indeed underway, but did not disclose further details on the subject.

Nukta also reached out to the play's lead star Mahira Khan who stated that she was unaware of such a development.

In conversation with Nukta, Humsafar director Sarmad Khoosat stated that he is 'intrigued', by the news and is looking forward to what a stage adaptation may look like.

The original author and playwright of Humsafar Farhat Ishtiaq, however, denied the news stating that 'it is not happening as per my knowledge'.

Whether Humsafar does get an Indian theater adaptation or not, its impact on local and international audiences is clear even after 11 years of its release. The reports of adapting Humsafar to Indian theater also solidify its role as one of the top cultural exports of Pakistan.