Humayun Ahmed’s ‘Jinn Kafil’ marks Rangamancha’s sold-out debut

Bangladeshi theatre troupe Rangamancha has made an impressive debut in Dallas with sold-out performances of “Jinn Kafil”, a stage adaptation of a story from Humayun Ahmed’s acclaimed Misir Ali series.

The production was staged on June 20 and 21 at the Dallas Children’s Theater, with both performances playing to full houses. According to the organisers, nearly 750 theatre-goers attended the two shows, reflecting growing enthusiasm for Bangla theatre among the Bangladeshi diaspora in North Texas.

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Adapted for the stage by Manzur Choudhury and directed by Farhad Hossain, “Jinn Kafil” centres on Misir Ali’s rational investigation into a series of mysterious events that blur the boundaries between logic, faith and the supernatural.

The production was developed over nearly 10 months by a team of more than 30 performers and crew members. The two-hour play combined contemporary stagecraft with digital projections, lighting design, atmospheric sound and visual effects to create an immersive theatrical experience.

Saiful Haque Rumi portrayed Misir Ali, while Farhad Hossain appeared as the Writer. The cast also featured Manzur Choudhury as Imam Irtaz Uddin, Nusrat Tinni as Latifa, Shaheen Sadat as the Writer’s friend and Arnila Guha Nolok as the Narrator. Other performers included Faizul Bari Apu, Sohana Mansur, Sabrina Rain, Taskir Ali Khan, Saber Hossain, Tarek Choudhury and Farzana Mostafa Abdul Malek, among others.

Farhad Hossain also oversaw script development, visual design, costume and artistic direction, overall coordination and production management. Music direction was by Maksud Jamil Mintu, while Maruna Rahi served as assistant director and stage manager. Stage design was handled by Taskir Ali Khan, lighting design by Iqbal Anwar, makeup by Mery Choudhury, projection design by Taskirul Islam Nibir, and sound design and coordination by Rajib Yusufzai, with sound engineering by Tanvir Ahmed.

The production also received creative guidance from Meher Afroz Shaon and Mohammad Jewel Rana. Before launching the troupe, Rangamancha organised two acting workshops conducted by veteran theatre personality Mamunur Rashid.

Among those attending the opening performance were Humayun Ahmed’s children, Bipasha Ahmed and Nuhash Humayun, who watched the adaptation of their father’s work and later met the cast and crew.

Reflecting on the production’s success, Rangamanch president and director Farhad Hossain said, ”‘Jinn Kafil’ has strengthened our dream of taking Bangla theatre in the diaspora to new heights. The audience’s love and support have become our greatest inspiration for future productions.”

Following the strong audience response, the troupe said it has already received requests for additional performances. Rangamancha is now exploring opportunities to stage Jinn Kafil in Austin, San Antonio, Houston, Chicago, the Washington, D.C.–Virginia metropolitan area and New York.