Meet Malir's version of quirky and funny
By FT correspondent
Our next Malir Star is Faisal Ahmed. A typical court jester who adores Govinda, he is the type in whose company one may die from laughing continuously. Full of jokes and witty one liners, it is unimaginable for many to think he is troubled by anything. Unfortunately, Faisal is not someone untouched by worries.
Monthly expenses are met by his father’s pension worth Rs6000 and his mother’s salary as a health worker of Rs10,000 which she does not even receive on a monthly basis but after every 3 months. He has three younger brothers, the youngest afflicted with polio. But things were not always miserable for this household. Once upon a time, Ahmed Sahab was a well established railway TC, with 3 cars and a very spacious house. Things were a smooth sail for a long time but TB did not care whether it was welcome or not and gradually depleted their savings to an end. Loans from government and his 1 year leave reduced his pension further.
It was Javed who asked Faisal to join their theatre group. He introduced him to Akbar and the rest who recognized the potential in his comic timings and expressions. He is now an integral part of the group and continues to make his fellow comrades laugh and smile despite the many problems each faces personally.
His future is focussed on keeping his family afloat in these times. Company, however, of his theatre buddies and his lovely fiancee has made him stronger and better equipped to handle life’s multi faceted curve balls. His fiancee and her brother are also part of Malir Stars.
