Kotthi No.156

On the Sets: Kotthi No.156

Kotthi (house) No.156 is an upcoming TV series written and directed by Adeel Hashmi. Based on the life of a closely knit family, Ajji (Shakeel), Chiyaa (Simi Raheal), Nikki (Mehreen Raheal), Yasoo (Adeel Hashmi), Mistree (Irfan Khoosat), Edhee (Faisal Qureshi), next door neighbour inspector (Babbu Braal) and Baaji (Nadia Afgan), this drama series is one of a kind.

One of the unique things about this series is that it is inspired by, and depicts, real people. The writer/director Adeel Hashmi spent his troublesome childhood in a house addressed '156', thus the title 'Kotthi Number 156'. All the characters that we see in the play are based on real people. Rarely do we see such a sensitive blend of Adeel Hashmi's dramatic flair and Faisal Qureshi's crazy comedy and the veterans Shakeel and Simi Raheal's sensitivity. Kotthi No.156 is a drama in true sense of the word

The all-star cast includes veterans like Shakeel, Simi Raheal, and Irfan Khoosat. The young blood is represented by the talented Faisal Qureshi, Adeel Hashmi himself, and Mehreen Raheal.

When asked why he decided to base this play on his childhood memories, Adeel replied "Sometimes, as a child, the way older people behave does not make sense. Why do kids need to go bed early when elders do not? Why do we children have to go to school when elders don't? Why can't children play all the time? These questions have answers on several levels but none of them would satisfy a child. At the same time there are moments in a family which are difficult. Sometimes tensions are high. All the elders stop talking to each other. No one laughs or smiles. As a child it is difficult to understand what's wrong with the elder family members.

A few days later, the laughter comes back. The circle of life keeps on moving, one step to the next. Laughter and tears. The two extremes of the human emotion. I felt it would be an extremely interesting idea to write something so simple, yet so complicated. Thus Kotthi No. 156 was born so that I could attempt to touch upon both; what makes us happy and what makes us sad."

Kotthi No.156 is the story of a family of 5. Two parents, Ajji and Chia, their only son Yasoo, their daughter-in-law Nikki, and their first cousin Edhee whose parents decided to leave him and disappear in the mountains.

The parents are very principled and proper, as parents should be. The son is a bit lame; the daughter-in-law pretty, but still wet behind the ears; and their cousin Edhee...the moment we see him we know why his parents abandoned him!

There is another family member, the Mistree. He is a plumber, electrician, gardener, carpenter all in one, but his real talent lies in astronomy. That is why he keeps Tina with him. Tina is his telescope. He once went to school with the family's Abba but due to his single-digit IQ, he never quite made it to Oxford. Abba feels obligated to hire him as the family's technical advisor so that the Mistree can continue to earn his livelihood. The only thing this family agrees on is that mistree should be fired...at!

To keep a check on the law and order situation in the street, Inspector Basharat is always on patrol. He doesn't have transport so he walks. Unlike most policemen, he is very conscientious, hard working and diligent. He has one problem. He needs psychiatric help. He doesn't remember who he is.

This is the little family who lives in Kotthi No.156.

With all that we've seen and heard, the series is a definite one to put on your watch list! We wish Adeel and Faisal the very best of luck for a very successful run as the play launches!