Listless affair
CHITRA SWAMINATHAN
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`Shararat' suffered from a weak story line and insipid dialogue.
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CLICHED: Shararat
Purvabhyas has definitely not done enough abhyas; otherwise the theatre group couldn't have presented a play as mediocre as "Shararat."
Written, directed and produced by Prairna Agarwal and Navin Kumar, who have quite a few plays to their credit, "Shararat" was staged this past weekend at the Music Academy for the Rotary Club of Madras South in aid of its community service projects.
The "hit" comedy Hindi play suffered from a weak storyline and insipid dialogue. Even the presence of popular television stars Shweta Tiwari (Kasauti Zindagi Kay) and Vinay Jain (Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin) did not buoy up the proceedings. The least that the svelte Shweta could do was go in for three dress changes (hep outfits in striking pinks) in the first 60 minutes itself and shake a leg in style to popular film songs. Yet, it seemed like nothing could stop many in the audience from going for the exit door.
Agreed comedy is a difficult genre (even the comedy talent show on TV is called the Great Indian Laughter Challenge), yet one expects at least professional theatre groups to elicit genuine laughs. Sadly, "Shararat" chose cliché sardarji jokes for most part of the show, uttered by an unbearably loud sardar character.
The play is about Kunal and Kavita, who have eloped from home to avoid marrying the persons their parents have chosen for them. Kunal checks into a lodge, while Kavita unable to get an accommodation elsewhere, lands up there. Though there is no vacancy, the manager falls for her sob story and allots her the room in which Kunal is staying, without his consent.
What follows is unimaginative scenes and noisy exchange of words. The timid Kunal tries hard to get the bubbly Kavita out of the room, but in vain. After much meandering, the play finally reaches a climax. And in perfect filmy style, the warring twosome falls in love, only to discover that this was the match that was fixed by their parents.
The sets, lighting and music were passable. As for acting, Vinay and the attractive Shweta actually saved the play from sinking.
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