Once a celebrated name in Multan’s theatre scene, Jamil Bhutta now works at a local food shop, reflecting on the golden days of stage drama and the decline of the city’s entertainment industry.
MULTAN, October 31, 2026 — Jamil Bhutta, once a prominent performer in Multan’s vibrant stage drama industry, now works at a local shop known as “Mama Ji’s Famous Chicken Pieces,” where he looks back on a career shaped by applause, fame and the changing fortunes of theatre.
In an interview with Independent Urdu, Bhutta recalled a time when Multan had around 12 theatres and attracted leading performers from Pakistan’s stage and film industries. The city, he said, was once considered a lucrative destination for artists, with strong audiences and popular theatrical productions.
According to Bhutta, theatre performers were highly valued during that period, and audiences would line up outside venues to watch performances. However, the industry has changed significantly over the years.
“Of the 12 theatres that once operated in Multan, only one is working now,” he said, adding that low audience turnout and payment-related difficulties have made life increasingly challenging for performers.
Challenges Facing Local Artists
Bhutta also expressed disappointment over the limited opportunities available to artists in Multan’s entertainment sector. He said local Saraiki television channels had once offered opportunities to performers but later failed to provide adequate compensation despite demanding extensive work.
He believes the closure of these platforms further reduced opportunities for experienced artists, leaving many struggling to find consistent work.
Bhutta said he spent most of his career performing on stage because theatre was one of the few available platforms in Multan. Despite working on high-quality productions, he felt there were limited opportunities to advance his career.
A Turning Point in His Career
Around 2016 or 2017, renowned Pakistani comedian and actor Iftikhar Thakur visited Multan and encouraged Bhutta to pursue opportunities in Lahore. Thakur subsequently took him to the city, where Bhutta continued his struggle to establish himself.
Despite the challenges, Bhutta said the entertainment industry had given him something that money alone could not buy: public recognition.
He believes that while many wealthy people remain unknown to the public, his years in show business have made him recognizable to audiences.
For Bhutta, the stage remains a source of pride and a powerful part of his identity, even as his professional circumstances have changed.
His story reflects the struggles of veteran performers whose careers were built around a once-thriving regional theatre industry that has gradually lost much of its audience and infrastructure.
