Gujarati theatre is commercially very successful. What follows is a certain trend, where the directors/theatre companies usually do the thinking for the audience. They think they are catering to the needs of the audience. However, it is good to know that there are directors who are breaking this trend and are doing something different. One such example is the Gujarati play� Tran Gujarati� that has seen successful shows at Prithvi. �Tran Gujarati� has three different stories directed by Mihir Bhuta, Naushil Mehta and Uttam Gada respectively. The setting is a coffee shop where the waiter is the narrator, but somewhere along he becomes a spectator. We are introduced to the three stories through him. Coffee shops seem to be the best place where conversations and real life drama occur. The first story �Rango�, directed by Uttam Gada is the best from all three stories. This piece centers on a young couple, their insecurities about each other and their concerns about their future together. Sneha Desai as the young woman has portrayed her character extremely well. She has brought out the different shades of her character in a convincing way. The young man, played by Amit Mistry is your typical male, but with a difference. He is possessive, insecure, and inquisitive. Yet he is extremely compromising and is ready to share his girlfriend�s responsibility and problem without complaining, which is very rare, He decides to shift to her village so that they both can take care of the young woman�s sick mother who is bed-ridden.
Uttam Gada has shown the whole relationship in a very realistic manner. The Humour is not clich�d. It is something different from what is otherwise seen in Gujarati Theatre. Also, the onstage chemistry between Amit Mistry and Sneha Desai is very strong , which adds to the story�s appeal. The second Story, �Ekanki No Beejo Ank�, directed by Mihir Bhuta is average although sincere efforts have been made by the director and the actors.. In this story, a couple (in their mid-thirties) are on the verge of divorce. A common lawyer friend urges them to reconcile and do away with their differences. But nothing works. The husband has a wandering eye and has been unfaithful. The wife still loves her husband, but in order to cope with his behaviour, she files for a divorce. The actors do not seem to appeal nor does the story make any impact. But the best thing about this play is its ending. There is no happy ever after. Probably, this is the only time in the play, that we as audiences are convinced. The ending is realistic and that is the time we realize the gravity of the situation. The third story �Leela�, directed by Naushil Mehta has veteran actors Manoj Shah and Utkarsh Mazumdar who have given a fantastic performance. Naushil Mehta has give a nice shade to two characters who are in their seventies. In a comical yet sad way, they make us laugh and yet we feel sorry for them.
Two friends (one who can barely walk) come for a checkup to a hospital. Manoj Shah plays the character of a man who maybe in his seventies, but who does not think like one. He still believes in having fun, he believes in having a good time. He succeeds in flirting with all the nurses and even manages to get a date. His friend however, (played by Utkarsh Mazumdar) is a simple man, a bachelor who can barely walk. The story begins when the two friends, while waiting for their report engage in conversation. Since Manoj Joshi�s character is the smarter of the two, he realizes that his friend is finally in love with a widowed woman. That is when he plays a trick on his friend. However, circumstances do not favour one friend. Of the two, one friend is diagnosed with prostrate cancer. But the ending takes a bigger twist, when the friend who supposedly has prostrate cancer is declared normal. And the other friend, who is supposedly normal, is diagnosed with Prostrate Cancer.
Utkarsh Mazumdar�s body language is worth a watch. His walk, his expressions add weight age to the character he plays. Manoj Shah is a delight to watch in this play. He is one of the best Gujarati theatre actors, and one sees no reason to be dissatisfied with his performance. Chirag Vora carries off a typical Surti accent very well. He does manage to make the audience laugh. His comic timing is good too. The play ends well. But the sets are disappointing. They are contemporary. However, one does not get the feel of a coffee shop. The important point is being missed out. Setting is extremely important because without a good setting, the impact does die out to some extent. But overall, the play is satisfying. It is recommended to every person who is Gujarati.
