Performance wise, each actor has performed beautifully.
Human nature and the ability to relate to others always poses interesting questions about the fabric of what people really are like. Are we each other’s worst enemies? Are we enclosed in our mindsets or are there escape routes from those? If so, is it even possible to find those and open the door to new truths? These are but a small taste of the myriad of moral and existential dilemmas that the main characters face in the Washington Hindustani Theater and GymKhana Club International of Potomac’s latest theatrical production – Ban’d Gali, produced by Mrs. Deepti Rattan and adapted and written by veteran Hindi writer, radio/television personality, and theater director Mr. Umesh Agnihotri.
Any play directed by Mr. Umesh Agnihotri is a keenly awaited event in the DC area, and this play was no exception, as the show has been running houseful since the beginning of June. Did it meet expectations? Let’s have a look.
The play, based off of Jean Paul Sartre’s classic play No Exit, was adapted in Hindi for this presentation and tells the story of 3 characters – Samir (Shoaib Hasan), Mohini (Shimaliya Agnihotri) and Naina (Mitushi Tiwari Raphael), whom have died and are courted to hell by Chitragupt (Vaidu Iyer). When all 3 characters are locked in a windowless and mirrorless room with only 3 places to sit and strange items, each character begins to unravel their dilemmas and stories in front of one another, raising questions about the complexity of human actions and motivations and resulting consequences. What is the common thread that binds these characters together? What is the punishment that these characters will face? Most importantly, who are they and why have they been brought to hell? The play answers all of these questions and more.
Performance wise, each actor has performed beautifully. Mr. Shoaib Hasan, as Samir, portrayed the complex role of a man wrought by a wide mix of feelings – some guilt, some fear, some nostalgia, some practicality and even some romance, which is no easy task. Yet, despite all of these challenging traits in one character, Mr. Hasan played the role wonderfully with every ounce of conviction and belief. There was not a single false note in the performance and, despite the character being one of a questionable nature, you somehow feel the strongest amount of sympathy for him. There is something vulnerable about this character, which makes it the most relatable in my opinion. Mr. Hasan is a well-respected actor, and this performance adds to his impressive repertoire.
Shimaliya Agnihotri is brilliant as Mohini, and has the most interesting character of the lot. Not wanting to ruin anything, I will say that there is a twist about her character, which makes the proceedings and dynamics all the more interesting. This is a character with a tough exterior but also perhaps a bit of instability in her personality, which seems to come out more and more as the play progresses. Shimaliya puts in an incredible performance as a person slowly succumbing to the pressure of the circumstance that the characters are in, and once again, this character also is portrayed flawlessly. I will disclose that I know Shimaliya personally, and I completely forgot that it was her on stage. Truly a mesmerizing performance!
One of my favorite performers, Mitushi Tiwari Raphael, played the sweet and sad role of Naina in the production, another character that is extremely relatable and I would say the most likable of the lot. This is a woman that has faced dilemmas during her life that many can relate to, to some extent – love, broken heart, guilt, moment of weakness, and regret/remorse. Mitushi is one of those actresses whose every performance surpasses the excellence of the previous one. Just when you thought that a performance cannot get better, she surprises you with the next one. Here she plays the character with the pitch perfect doses of charm, sadness, confusion, love and fear. A tremendous performance by a tremendous actress!
Vaidu Iyer is simply delightful as Chitragupt, the one character which adds levity to some of the darker themes of the play. Whenever he entered the stage, you automatically got a smile on your face because you are witnessing a performer that is truly enjoying the character he is playing and having great fun with it. Vaidu is a complete natural and a dynamite performer. Looking forward to seeing him in many more productions!
In reality, what really makes the play as stellar as it is, is the writing and direction. Mr. Agnihotri has adapted a script which is not only fast paced and taut, but also keeps one engaged from start to finish. In a play that has limited characters, the challenge always becomes keeping the proceedings interesting, because if either a performance or rollout of the story falters, a play becomes at risk of becoming incredibly boring. Luckily, in this play, the story, twists and turns, and performances are so riveting, that there is not a single moment of boredom. Everything is weaved together logically, and continues to build both the tension and foreboding associated with the situation, whetting the audience’s appetite to know exactly what is going on. This is the hallmark of the play, and any good production, and 100% of the credit must go to Mr. Agnihotri for adapting not only a play with good performances and a good story, but one with good writing as well, with respect to the complexity of the existential crises all humans face when making their moral choices and dealing with the consequences.
I must also acknowledge the great work of Mrs. Deepti Rattan in producing the play. It was a different sort of theatrical experience, and one that was tremendously appreciated.
All in all, Ban’d Gali was a terrific theatrical experience. I give it a complete 10/10. I hope the group plans to do more performances not only in the DC area, but around the country as well!