King of Spades

Had heard quite a lot about this play Massage. Besides being in the running for quite a few years now, what intrigued me was the concept of one guy playing plays 24 characters. The main protagonist was essayed by Rakesh Bedi, who is more known for his comic roles in Bollywood, but has more to him that just comedy. This play is a testimonial to that.  A seasoned actor in a play written by a seasoned playwright Vijay Tendulkar is a double whammy for any theatre lover. Had missed watching it on a couple of occasions earlier, hence this Sunday when I got to know that Massage was to be staged in Matunga, booked it at the first go. The play essentially is about the struggle that lakhs of Indians face when they come to the dream city of Mumbai, lured by the prospect of becoming a Bollywood star. Happy Singh as the name suggests is a happy go lucky guy who comes to Mumbai to chase his dreams of becoming an actor. Starts his struggle with an internship as the 4 th  assistant dire...

There she was…by the side of the window..a bit scared,a bit confused and with an expression that would put alice in wonderland to shame! She looked totally out of place. Ya, she was sitting in a local train, but in a crowded gents compartment! He wondered how a girl all alone by herself would have chosen to get into a gents compartment and that too when the rush hour has just started. At first glance their eyes met , as he jostled his way into the inside compartment of the local train. An old man who was sitting beside the girl got up and he sat beside her. She smiled when he sat and he smiled back. After two more stations and a never ending silence he decided to break the ice. “So what’s your name?”....he asked . Kanjurmarg!.....pat came the reply. What! He replied , a bit shocked at the reply. “No No sorry is this kanjurmarg?” She enquired. No, kanjurmarg was two stations back, u wanted to get down there is it? He asked. “ No No not at all…just asking!...” she replied . ...