Dubai: Watch the classic love story ‘Sohni Mahiwal’

Move over Romeo and Juliet! The epic love story of Sohni Mahiwal has come to Dubai to smear the Emirate with colours of love. The coming weekend holds a special place in the heart of most South Asian expats as India and Pakistan celebrate their independence days next week. To celebrate the occasion, Tall Tales Production, in collaboration with The Junction Theatre, is bringing to Dubai a renowned International Musical Production titled ‘Sohni Mahiwal’ on the 12th and 13th of August 2023, at The Junction Theatre, in Alserkal Avenue, Dubai. 

The play will bring the flavours of South Asia closer home for the diasporic population retelling the poignant tale of love, tragedy, and social issues, inspired by the legendary love story of Sohni and Mahiwal. Set during the time of the recent flooding in the region in 2021, the classic story gets a modern twist in the hands of the theatre veteran Ali Shaan Bin Sohail. Expect an evening of extraordinary performances, live music, and creative storytelling, carefully crafted and told keeping in mind the multicultural audience of UAE.

We got in touch with the team to hear from him about the local community theatres, and the relevance of a classical love story in modern times. Here are the excerpts from the interview:

How do you think has UAE’s theatre evolved over the years considering the significant influence of international theatrical artists and performers? 

Over the past few years international productions have increased in multiples, and so has the appetite of Dubai audiences for global arts and entertainment. This also fits well into the primarily multi-cultural and multi-national population of the country. The local scene has grown substantially and, considering the initiatives that the government is taking in terms of grants and visas, we can only see this growing in the future as well. As more and more international artists come in, the local talent will get exposed to them, learning and broadening their skill set. 

Sohni Mahiwal is a timeless tale. Some of us have grown up listening to this classic tragedy. So how does it strike a chord with the contemporary audience? 

This adaptation is based in contemporary times, going back a few years back when there were tragic floods in South Asia. The characters are very relatable and the music in the show includes popular folk tracks that were recreated for Coke Studio which were loved by one and all. 

In the era of Tinder and Facetime, where does Sohni Mahiwal fit in the purview of digital long-distance relationships?

It is going to sound extremely cheesy, but love is something that has always been the same. Whether it be a river separating lovers in the past, or the geographical borders of today, the love pangs, the yearning, and the vacuum that exists are still the same. Also, when the lovers meet the excitement and the joy have not changed either. Love stories have resonated across time due to this very reason and we are sure this will strike a chord with the Dubai audience as well. Lastly, nothing can beat a three-dimensional experience, even if it is Facetime or Zoom. Tinder is a unique way to ‘meet’, but the chemistry, connection, and in-person experience are what still matter the most. 

Come for the love, stay for the cultural experience, and hopefully, you will leave with a smile. 

Asad Raza Khan from TallTales Production, Dubai 

Tell us something about the cast and the crew. How have the writer and director added to the story with their individual creativity? 

The cast and crew are a mix of the young and the experienced and include multi-talented members. There are singers who are actors, storytellers who are also dancing, and actors who are playing live instruments on stage. The director Ali Shaan Bin Sohail has been a theatre veteran, having worked in the industry for over 10 years and has over 50 productions to his name. The ethos of the play is very refreshing, and the 25+ cast and crew flying in will definitely make it a wonderful experience. 

Do you see international artists as a threat to the local community theatre? 

For me, no one is ever a threat. They either help you grow or treat people to an experience that you could not and help you recalibrate. This is an exciting opportunity to learn from. Also, the connection and networks established through this will help our local artists travel internationally as well. It is a community and not a fraternity. 

Why bring a tale from as far as the South Asian countries to UAE? What significance does the story hold for an expat or diaspora audience? 

One beautiful thing that Dubai offers is the chance to explore different cultures due to its multi-nationality population. It is one of the few places in the world where you have more than 180 nationalities residing. It is rich in culture, whether it be cuisine or art, and this is what is a USP of the country. Where else could you get to experience South Asia, without getting on a flight? There are sub-titles in English for non-south Asians to get a flavour of Punjabi culture, and for people who have their roots in South Asia, to have an experience close to home. This is why we also selected the Independence Day weekend of both India and Pakistan to celebrate it with the people of UAE.