Category Archives: Plays

Marathi Play Review: Ke Dil Abhi Bhara Nahin

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Director: Mangesh Kadam

Producers: Suyog Productions

Writer: Shekhar Dhavalikar

Cast: Vikram Gokhale, Reema Lagoo, Jayant Sawarkar and Bageshree Joshirao

Rating: * * * ½

Review By: Keyur Seta

An age old topic ceases to be one if treated in a fresh manner. There isn’t anything novel in a tussle between married couple. It has been explored in every storytelling medium – films, plays and TV – since decades.

But writer Shekhar Dhavalikar and director Mangesh Kadam have provided a contemporary touch to the subject in the Marathi play Ke Dil Abhi Bhara Nahin. It’s a hilarious saga despite the fact that it deals with an emotional theme.

The story revolves around an aged married couple, Arun (Vikram Gokhale) and Vandana (Reema Lagoo). They share a bittersweet relationship. Their daughter (Bageshree Joshirao) is married in the same city. But their son has migrated to Singapore with his wife and kid for a better opportunity. The daughter is very caring towards them whereas their son doesn’t care for them at all.

Picture: Flickr.com

Picture: Flickr.com

Vandana isn’t happy to stay home alone. So, Arun takes retirement to give her company and help her run the house. He decides to surprise her with the news. Instead, Vandana gives him a surprise by declaring that she has passed a priesthood course and will now be visiting people’s houses to carry out priestly services. This incident changes the equation between the couple.

The script is a smart mixture of emotionalism and humor. Although the writer has induced humor throughout the duration, he has made sure the sensitivity isn’t affected, even a bit. This is very difficult. The play wouldn’t have turned out to be so moving if there was some fault in this aspect. The climax is anybody’s guess in such stories. But you are taken by surprise by the creative manner of driving home the point.

The writing coupled with some intelligent direction results in a treat. There are numerous unsaid nuances and antics brought in by the director that play a major role in the end result.

The set designing is simple and realistic but at the same time, rich. With such content, a compromise on this area wouldn’t have affected the overall result much. But there is no stone left unturned. As far as lights go, there could have been more creativity or experimentation. The background score is as per the need.

Watching two stalwarts like Vikram Gokhale and Reema Lagoo perform in front of you is a complete treat. It gets even better when they are at their best, which is the case here. Their complementation is terrific too. They score high not only during emotional scenes but also while doing comedy. Not many would have seen Gokhale do it. Seeing them together brings back memories of their pleasing act in the Marathi movie, Anumati.

Jayant Sawarkar, as Arun’s friend, provides a lovable act while Bageshree Joshirao is decent.

But among so many positives, there is a downslide too. The play drags a bit in the second half. Probably, the length should have been shorter.

Overall: Ke Dil Abhi Bhara Nahin is an entertaining take on the relationship of an aged couple. With the content and the big names attached with it, it is sure to run for a long time.

Aavashicho Gho (Marathi/ Malwani Play) Review

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Writing: Sanjivani Jadhav

Direction: Sanjivani Jadhav

Cast: Sanjivani Jadhav, Mangesh Kasekar, Manjusha Morgaonkar, Madhu Shinde, Mayur Pawar, Swapnil Sane, Sonal Bhanushali, Vishal Dhawle

Production: Sanjivani Jadhav

Sets: Pradip Rangankar

Rating: * *

Plot: Janai Malwankarin’s (Sanjivani Jadhav) husband hasn’t returned home after the train blasts that rocked Mumbai years back. However, she is sure her husband is alive and will return. She also continues to live as a married lady. People around her do everything to make her believe that her husband is no more but Malwankarin doesn’t budge. So, will her husband return?

Review: Lost-and-found sagas can be entertaining if there are interesting dramatic moments to keep the audience glued. A bunch of unusual and crazy characters act as an added advantage. Although Sanjivani Jadhav’s Aavashicha Gho deals with the above concept and also has crazy antics of supporting characters, it falls short due to a weak script.

The play scores in the initial moments when Malwankarin’s belief is pitted against other characters. This provides good entertainment due to the constant humour. However, after a point of time, you realize there are a good number of scenes which have nothing much to do with the main plot. Plus, the majority of humour and gags that follow fall flat.

The important scenes where Mama tries to prove to Malwankarin that her husband is dead aren’t too appealing and appear lengthy. The twist in the climax does come as a surprise but the explanation provided is far from convincing.

Fortunately, the performance area turns out to be a plus point. Sanjivani Jadhav carries the proceedings well on her shoulders. She is likable in emotional as well as comic scenes. Mangesh Kasekar shows confidence playing Sanjivani’s son-in-law. Manjusha Morgaonkar’s act as Kasekar’s wife is commendable. Madhu Shinde shows maturity in his act. He had the difficult task of impersonating unusual characters.

The surprise package turns out to be Mayur Pawar. His antics provide a good dose of laughter. The rest of the actors Swapnil Sane, Sonal Bhanushali and Vishal Dhawle offer good support.

Overall, Aavashicho Gho is high in performance and direction but low when it comes to writing.

Darling Darling (Marathi Play) Review

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Writer: Madhusudan Kalelkar

Direction: Pradeep Pawar

Production: Rupali R Lakhan, Sanjay Nevrejar

Cast: Shashikant Bhobekar, Pradeep Pawar, Sandeepa Gujjar, Manjusha Morgaonkar, Sujata Tulsankar, Sachin Kadam, Tushar Namaye, Rajeshri Kale

Rating: * * *

Plot: Prabhakar (Shashikant Bhobekar) pretends to be loyal to his wife (Sandeepa Gujjar). His wife is unaware that he is having an affair with a number of girls. Sharmila (Manjusha Morgaonkar) and Mona (Sujata Tulsankar) are two such girls. Prabhakar’s uncle, who is no more, has left Rs 50 lakh for him in his will. However, according to the condition put forth by his uncle, Prabhakar can lay his hands on the money only if he is loyal to his wife and living a happily married life.

All hell breaks loose for Prabhakar when one fine day both Sharmila and Mona land up at his house. Now, Prabhakar is in a fix as he has to hide his affairs from both his wife and the advocate. Will Prabhakar succeed or will he be forced to say good bye to his wife as well as the money?

Review: Themes on infidelity, where a husband tries hard to hide his affair, have become common over the years. So, when a comic play is based on such a story it is vital for the writing to be top-notch so as to deliver huge number of rib-tickling moments. Writer Madhusudan Kalelkar and director Pradeep Pawar’s Darling Darling provides that for the majority of the duration which surely makes it a one-time watch.

One of the good things about the writing is that the main plot is revealed soon. A large number of comic twists that follow manage to keep your interest alive. Both situational as well as crazy humour is used in abundance; almost in every line. A bunch of crazy characters and their weird traits are one of the major plus points.

Talking of flipsides, the duration should have been shorter, especially in the second half where the proceedings do appear tedious at few portions. Also, some of the lines and acts appear too over-the-top at certain post-interval portions. But since it’s a keep-your-brain-aside kind of an entertainer, such points shouldn’t be considered as crime.

The play scores high on performances. Shashikant Bhobekar perfectly carries the proceedings on his shoulders with a commendable act. His comic timing is up to the mark. He is aptly supported by Pradeep Pawar who also displays good comic skills. Sandeepa Gujjar as his wife shows maturity. Manjusha Morgaonkar gives a confident performance as Prabhakar’s love affair.

Sujata Tulsankar does well too and so does Rajeshri Kale in the role of an overweight cop. But it is Sachin Kadam who turns out to be a surprise package. His crazy antics will have you in splits. Tushar Namaye and actors playing doctor and constable aren’t bad either.

Overall, Darling Darling will be liked by those who prefer mindless, over-the-top comedies. It deserves more publicity and promotion.