Yasir Hussain drops hilarious cast reel as ‘Monkey Business’ returns to Karachi
Pakistani actor, playwright, and director Yasir Hussain is gearing up for the second Karachi run of Monkey Business, and he has chosen a light, humorous reel to set the tone.
Posted on Instagram yesterday, the video begins with Hussain sipping chai before cutting to clips of the entire Monkey Business ensemble, each actor attempting (sometimes successfully, sometimes not) to deliver a hearty laugh to the camera. The transition from Hussain’s calm tea moment to the cast’s collective laughter neatly captures the spirit of the production: lively and rooted in simple comedic timing.
The reel features actors Khizr Ansari, Sajeel Meer Kazmi, Asiyah Majeed, Gul, Bilal Yusufzai, Yusra Irfan, Umer Aalam, Osama Bin Atiq, Abdullah Wahab and others, all part of the new season’s lineup. Hussain captioned the reel, “Karachi are you ready for Monkey Business 2.0, Starting from 9th of December at the Arts Council Karachi.”
The production has already toured Lahore, Faisalabad, Islamabad and Karachi earlier this year, following its initial launch on April 5, 2025.
With the reel’s warm, informal energy, Hussain signals that the upcoming Karachi shows will continue the play’s momentum and emphasize its central promise: organised chaos and unmistakable comedy.
Monkey Business itself has been at the centre of conversation over the past year.
The play is a full-fledged comedy of errors, built around the spiraling consequences of one man’s lies. The storyline follows Mr. Waseem, played by Hussain, who weaves an elaborate deception to secure an arts grant, only to find himself entangled in unexpected visits, nosy characters, and escalating complications.
The production is known for its physical comedy, rapid pacing, and moments where Hussain and co-star Umer Aalam appear in women’s attire to perform Bollywood-style numbers.
The success of Monkey Business is evident not only in sold-out shows but also in the roster of high-profile celebrities who have praised the production. Big names such as Fawad Khan, Humayun Saeed, Kinza Hashmi, Hasan Raheem, Mehwish Hayat, Javed Sheikh, Zahid Ahmad, Bushra Ansari, Sonya Hussyn, Mohib Mirza, Sanam Saeed, Ahad Raza Mir, Ushna Shah, Fahad Mustafa, Aiman Khan, Faisal Qureshi, Agha Ali, and Hussain’s wife Iqra Aziz have all publicly applauded the play.
For Hussain, Monkey Business 2.0 marks a continued commitment to theater at a time when many worry about the future of stage comedy in Pakistan. His return to live performance, alongside a young and energetic cast, has not only revived interest in theatrical comedy but also reinforced the value of original Pakistani stage productions.