Written and Directed : Bharat Dabholkar Cast : Bharat Dabholkar, Vijay Patwardhan, Rahul Pethe, Mugdha Karnik, Suyash Purohit, Akash Bhadsavle, Geetanjali Ganage & Mohan Azad
CARRY ON SPYGIRI Review
Carry On Spygiri is a Marathi politically hilarious spy comedy written and directed by Bharat Dabholkar, produced by Savaigandharva and presented by Abhijaat. The play was earlier performed in English as Carry On Spying. This Marathi version comes with a fresh cast, except Dabholkar himself as the iconic Yah Yah Abdul Jallad and Mohan Azad, who continues to play the role of Sultan Sheikh Dust Bin Tughlak, bringing a fresh energy to the play. Notably, this also marks Dabholkar's debut on the Marathi stage.
Carry On Spygiri combines satire, mistaken identities and physical comedy against the backdrop of international diplomacy. The story unfolds inside an Indian embassy in Pakistan, left in the hands of Pyare Mohan Dixit. The plot takes a chaotic turn when a Joshi family accidentally wanders into a missile-testing zone and is mistaken for a group of foreign spies. This leads to a series of misunderstandings, as embassy officials struggle to manage the situation while an ISI-backed officer, Yah Yah Abdul Jallad, surrounds the embassy, convinced that the family is dangerous. The play follows the Joshi family's stay at the embassy and their attempts to return home safely, with chaos unfolding as the play continues.
The ensemble maintains strong energy throughout, with sharp comic timing being the backbone of the production. The character of the narrator-cook adds a playful layer, guiding the audience through the chaos with ease. Visually and structurally, the play keeps things dynamic without overcomplicating the staging, allowing the actors and text to take centre stage. Vijay Patwardhan as Anant Madhav Joshi aka Dhurandhar Joshi brings incredible comic timing, effortlessly carrying the chaos on his shoulders, while Mugdha Karnik as Ashalata Joshi complements him well, matching his rhythm and presence on stage. Rahul Pethe as Pyare Mohan Dixit creates his own space with a distinct style of clumsiness, portraying a well-meaning yet confused character with ease. Akash Bhadsavle, who also produces the play, delivers a controlled and effective performance as Pradhan. Geetanjali Ganage as Twinkle adds charm and energy, while Mohan Azad as Sultan Sheikh Dust Bin Tughlak stands out as a flamboyant Arab character, known for his short temper, love for women and alcohol, and his harem of over a hundred obedient wives who respond to his claps.
Bharat Dabholkar's writing and stage direction carry his signature style, unapologetically commercial, filled with double-meaning lines yet extremely witty. The production is mounted on a huge set depicting the Indian embassy in Pakistan, supported well by lighting that adapts smoothly to comedy, romance and action sequences.
Carry On Spygiri doesn't aim to tease your brain, but surely your funny bone. It is a one-time watch for those looking to enjoy a light-hearted take on international diplomacy and foreign affairs. Amidst all the war and socio-political chaos, it leaves you with a sense of comic relief.
Shashank Jadhav is a theatre practitioner, actor, writer, and director. He is the founder of Occipital Productions, under which he develops work across theatre and films.
