Tag: Ank

This is a collection of many individual stand-alone situations (around 17 scenes as per AnkTheatreGroup). The scenes are from day-to-day common interactions between a coupe who have been married for two decades now. Trips, food, children, career etc for the points of discussions.

This low key play features Preeta Mathur and Aman Gupta, who share amazing on-stage chemistry. They had provided us the memorable couple of ‘Hai Mera Dil’ and short-lived yet memorable affair in ‘Jaat Hi Poocho Sadhu Ki’. The chemistry is still there, but the overall package is mediocre at its best. The performance suffers from the very weak script, which even the duo fail to lift up.

This is very average and mediocre presentation. The energy and talent of the actors are wasted in enacting this script. Even the shows of this play is rare, perhaps respecting the audience’s feedback.

I will still recommend the play if it is being performed next door to yours and, you have to kill a few hours with nothing better to do.

AglaPlay Verdict: Avoid
AglaPlay Rating: 1/5
Language: Hindi
Duration: 1 Hour+ 
Writer: Veena Bakshi
Director: Veena Bakshi
Cast: Preeta Mathur Thakur,
Aman Gupta.

Below are a few relevant links.

Other Links
Ank Theatre Group Shows

In a country of festivals – India – the biggest family festival is still a daughter’s wedding. The traditions may or may not be practised in a Diwali, or a Dussehra, but marriages are different. What will relatives say if a custom is forgotten? What if something is not perfect in this once in a lifetime event? What bad luck may fall upon if some ritual gets missed?

Mumbai-based Upadhyay family with ancestral roots in UP are in the fix here. Their daughter, Neeta, is getting wed in two days. Parents Kaveri and Dashrath are supported by good-natured Chacha ji, Prasad. Team is completed by couple’s son Atul, servant Lallan and driver Mukesh. Many of the challenges and situations are solved deftly by this team. They almost make it too, but then get stuck in a situation. Did they finally manage to solve the issue?

The performance from Ank group cast is again top-notch! Also, a big applause to the team for the welcome surprise before the play! The first half of the play is tight and sticks to the problems with which audience can connect. The characters of Chacha ji is particularly entertaining and well-developed through the scenes. The play has its moments to break audience in guffaws.

That said, the play looses its track in mid and the whole focus shifts to a ludicrous situation. The only thing more ridiculous than the situation is the solutions by the characters. The immense potential – both of the chosen topic and the competence of the actors – is largely wasted. The end product is an average play which is still watchable, but stops far from being a memorable one.

AglaPlay Verdict: Average.
AglaPlay Rating: 2/5
Language: Hindi
Duration: 90 minutes
Writer: Veena Bakshi 
Director:  Veena Bakshi
Cast:  Shankar Iyer (Prasad)
Aman Gupta (Dashrath), 
Preeta Mathur (Kaveri),  
Arunima Joshi (Neeta),
B. Topiwala, J. Rehman,
Mani Pillai, Rajat Yadav
and S. Priyadarshi 

Below are a few relevant links. The web links to other reviews are also provided for easy reference.

Other Links
Review by Deepa Gehlot
Veena Bakshi IMDb