Acclaimed blend of humour, history, social commentary gets a stage in Pune on March 7

Past performances have had references to Karnataka elections, fake news, family WhatsApp groups and the Taj Mahal. Pune audiences will have to wait for the tweaks in the text.

3 min readPuneMar 3, 2026 08:25 PM IST

Qissa Urdu Ki Aakhiri Kitaab Ka is based on a celebrated work, Urdu Ki Aakhri Kitaab, by Ibn-e-Insha, a Pakistani humourist, travel writer and poet.

In the 10 years since it was premiered, Qissa Urdu Ki Aakhiri Kitaab Ka has toured many prestigious venues in India, including the Ghalib Institute in Delhi and Jairangam Theatre Festival in Jaipur. Pune was missing from its register, except an abridged version that was performed for an NGO many years ago.

“We are from a civilised society, and the norm of our civilised society is that we ignore all that is bad,” says Danish Husain, setting the tone for the next 90 minutes of the popular play, Qissa Urdu Ki Aakhiri Kitaab Ka. The two hander stars Husain, who is also the writer-director, and Yasir Iftikhar Khan.

On March 7, 7 pm, the play will be performed in full at the Shreeram Lagoo Rang Avakash in Pune. The show is a collaboration between Spotlight Forum and Hoshruba Repertory that was founded by Husain.

Qissa Urdu Ki Aakhiri Kitaab Ka is based on a celebrated work, Urdu Ki Aakhri Kitaab, by Ibn-e-Insha, a Pakistani humourist, travel writer and poet. Isha’s short book is a look at historical and economic injustices in society, the meaninglessness of the Partition and censorship in Pakistan, among others. He presents these ideas like a school text, with sections devoted to History, Geography and Math, among others. Many readers have found the contexts relevant to India as well.

Just as the original book, the play uses humour to hit on multiple targets. There is a reference to the Muhammed bin Tughlaq, the poster boy of administrative eccentricity.

“The play follows more-or-less the format of Ibn -e Insha’s classic text. The play format had to find a way to bring these chapters alive in a fun way so it takes the form of a late night talk show with a host and an education expert as the chief guest. There are two musicians in the backdrop who intersperse the text with musical compositions,” says Husain.

Though Qissa Urdu Ki Aakhiri Kitaab Ka might seem like a modern stand-up, Husain says that it is more than that. “It has elements of theatre, storytelling or Qissagoi, Tamasha, and Tiatr. All these elements are seamlessly woven into the presentation. It is farcical theatre,” he says.

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Past performances have had references to Karnataka elections, fake news, family WhatsApp groups and the Taj Mahal. Pune audiences will have to wait for the tweaks in the text. The play comes to the city at a time when comedians have been attacked for commenting on political and other public figures and events.

“I don’t think artists have an agenda to be anti-establishment. Artists are the chroniclers of the zeitgeist of their times. Their job is to cast the spotlight on the dark crevices that the gleam and sheen of any time gloss over, shove under the carpet and ignore in the larger mainstream narrative,” says Husain.

He adds, “Satire doesn’t necessarily mean it should be antagonistic. I guess great satire can evoke a humorous stinging perspective without hitting below the belt. And of course it will be naive to assume audiences are monolithic groups.”

Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More

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