Staff Reporter
Peshawar: Renowned Pashto actor Raja Khan Khalil has expressed deep concern over the rapidly deteriorating state of Pashto theatre, stating that the current situation is not just the failure of a single play but a warning bell for the future of the entire art form.
He said that after eleven long years, when commercial Pashto theatre finally returned to Nishtar Hall, the team had high expectations. However, the three-day run of the play and the sale of only six tickets raised serious questions about the cultural and social relevance of theatre today.
According to Raja Khan Khalil, the younger generation has grown distant from the seriousness and tradition of theatre. Their interest now revolves around dance shows and superficial entertainment. He expressed disappointment that even during the final death scene of the play “Bundli Mama”, some audience members were laughing. “This reaction shows that theatre is no longer viewed as a serious medium of expression.”
He also blamed the strict restrictions imposed by Nishtar Hall for restricting artists’ creative expression. “Artists work hard, but these limitations weaken their performance and prevent them from fully engaging the audience.”
Raja Khan Khalil urged the government and cultural institutions to take immediate steps to save Pashto theatre from collapse. He suggested offering free theatre performances for at least six months to revive public interest, and emphasized the need to curb low-quality dance and variety shows in cinemas that distract youth from meaningful cultural content.
He warned that if timely action is not taken, Pashto theatre will soon survive only in history books. “Time is running out. We must decide whether we want to preserve our cultural heritage or watch it fade away.”
