The Queen: A Bold Re-Imagining of Rajput Womanhood Comes to Prithvi on 6th December
December 3, 2025 19:24:04 IST MTG editorial
In Indian folklore and historical narratives, Rajput queens are often celebrated as symbols of honour—women who chose jauhar over the humiliation of being captured, and whose purity was glorified even as they were denied agency. While men fought valiant but often fatal battles, their wives were expected to sacrifice themselves in the name of honour and loyalty. But what about the stories that defy this rigid narrative? Aditya Rawal’s new play, THE QUEEN, directed by Daniel D’Souza, steps into this space with a refreshing and provocative perspective.
Set in 1567 in the fictional kingdom of Banasvan, the play follows Queen Durga, portrayed by Puja Sarup, a woman cast aside by her husband, King Amar (Mukul Chadda), in favour of a younger bride—even after she provided him with a male heir. The humiliation leaves her isolated within the palace walls, her only solace coming from conversations with her loyal maid Laila (Sharvari Deshpande). Her son, Prince Veer (Rohit Mehra), loves her dearly but struggles to forge his own identity amid the palace tensions.
The plot takes a dramatic turn when King Amar seeks Durga’s company for a banquet organised for a visiting ruler—an ally whose support could help save Banasvan from annexation by Emperor Akbar. Rumours swirl that this visiting monarch admires Durga, and Amar appears disturbingly willing to use his wife as a diplomatic tool. In a society governed by purdah and patriarchal norms, the idea of a foreign king meeting a queen privately raises questions that the play boldly navigates.
Through these tensions, Rawal highlights a deeply unjust social system in which a capable and politically aware woman like Durga has no control over her fate. Her transformation—from a bitter, neglected royal to a woman ready to defy expectations and take charge—evokes shades of Lady Macbeth, adding layers of complexity to her character.
While Sarup’s portrayal leans towards a youthful petulance rather than regal scorn, and some performances could be further refined, THE QUEEN succeeds in exploring the burdens placed on women in male-dominated structures. Even the unseen second queen becomes a quiet symbol of systemic inequality. Men, too, feel the weight of tradition—Prince Veer’s sensitivity is dismissed by his father as weakness, exposing the emotional repression forced upon them.
Written by Deepa Gahlot, the review brings attention to an important narrative that challenges conventional depictions of Rajput valor and womanhood.
THE QUEEN will be performed on 6th December at Prithvi Theatre, with shows at 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM. Theatre lovers looking for a compelling reinterpretation of history will not want to miss this powerful production.
*Mumbai Theatre Guide takes no responsibility for change in schedule.
