Direction : Vijay Kenkre Writer : Manaswini Lata Ravindra Cast : Siddharth Bodke, Rasika Sunil, Vaishnavi R.P
DIET LAGNA Review
DIET LAGNA, directed by Vijay Kenkre, written by Manaswini Lata Ravindra, and starring Rasika Sunil, Siddharth Bodke and Vaishnavi RP is a story about Alok (Bodke) and Rhuta (Sunil), a husband and wife who find themselves in a marriage counselor's (RP) clinic one day because Alok wants a divorce, but Rhuta doesn't. There are several problems in their marriage, he thinks, Rhuta is too dependent on him for everything, they disagree easily, and he just doesn't want the stress. Rhuta, meanwhile, agrees that she makes mistakes all the time, but wants to work on the relationship. Their counsellor tells them that like people follow a diet to get a healthy body, the two must put their marriage on a diet plan for a healthier relationship. At first, like any unfit person, they are reluctant, but slowly the diet begins to take effect and their enthusiasm to follow the regime grows.
If one were to read a two-line summary of the play, they might dismiss it as a regular romcom. But it is so very much more. The play starts out as a comedy, there are some spouse jokes, and you begin to fear that this is one of those terrible battle of the sexes type narratives where the scales are always skewed in favor of the man. And then, the play takes an unexpected turn.
There is a wonderful conversation the counsellor has with the wife, where she talks about how a relationship between two people can only function when the two are on equal ground, that skewed power dynamics will cause a relationship to fail. Soon, you realize that the play is not a romcom at all, the spouse jokes were deliberately grating, and really, it is a staunchly feminist drama about gaslighting.
All three actors are very good. The domestic drama becomes so intense and real, watching the play almost feels voyeuristic, and you want to tell your fellow audience members to look away. The chemistry between the two leads is great and Bodke, after a staggering performance in SAD SAKHARAM hits it out of the park as Alok, once more. He brings with him an aggressive intensity and yet the power to make himself small in an instant, without effort. Sunil is sweet and prim and proper as Rhuta and yet there is a quiet strength about her, a little reminiscent of Anna Kendrick from films like A Simple Favor or Alice, Darling.
The writing, the direction, the acting all come together to create the perfect blend of intelligent, intimate storytelling. The music score may have been a little on the nose at times, but with everything else done so well in the play, pointing this out feels like nitpicking. Usually, a play will have some scenes that stand out; here, every scene is captivating. It is a wonderful play, go watch!
*Neha Shende is an avid theatre-goer and enjoys watching old Bollywood movies in her free time.
