Kanji Lalji Chheda is an atheist out to question blind faith with logic and common sense. In a new Gujarati play, he displays his true merchant spirit by accusing God of ruining his antique business in an earthquake
Kanji Lalji Chheda is an atheist out to question blind faith with logic and common sense. In a new Gujarati play, he displays his true merchant spirit by accusing God of ruining his antique business in an earthquake
Round one of rehearsals have just wound up, and actor Sachin Khedekar steps out for a breather. Five minutes later he returns, chomping on paan. Ignoring the fresh stain on his T-shirt, he tells us, "My Gujarati friends told me that the paanwala outside Bhavans College is the best in the city. I said to myself, if I'm acting in a Gujarati play, I might as well try its symbolic flavours."
Taking risks comes easy to Khedekar. His role as the docile-turned-dominant clerk in the recent Marathi blockbuster Mee Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy, reinforced his position as a favourite among Marathi-speaking audiences. With Kanji Virudh Kanji, the actor returns to the Gujarati stage after a gap of 15 years. "My attention span is short. I get bored easily, that's why I prefer doing something completely out-of-the-box.
Mastering the nuances of Gujarati can be challenging, but I'm enjoying it," he smiles. Khedekar's easy confidence with the language comes from past experience; his first Gujarati play, Bhai, ran for 185-odd shows and was declared a hit. He has also worked in a Gujarati film, Paiso Maaro Parmeshwar.
In his latest venture, Khedekar portrays the character of Kanji Lalji Chheda, a middle-class Bhuleshwar-based businessmen who owns an antique shop in the heart of Mumbai's Chor Bazaar. A true Baniya, Kanji is capable of passing off a Rs 250-idol as a genuine antique piece and selling it off for thousands.
At heart, though, Kanji is an atheist who questions society's unflinching blind faith and idol worship. Kanji even takes a so-called godman to court. His logic is simple: as a representative of God, the godman is liable to pay for losses incurred due to an earthquake (an act of God, according to the insurance company). "The script tackles the delicate issue with subtle humour and simple language. There is no overt preaching. That's what drew me to the character," Khedekar explains.
The play might have a social message but it is an out-and-out commercial venture. In keeping with the grandiosity of Gujarati theatre, there are four lavish set changes from the Kanji's Chor Bazaar shop to his Bhuleshwar home, from the courtroom to the temple.
The daunting task of dealing with a social message without compromising on comedy content, is handled tactfully by seasoned director Umesh Shukla. "The play is about a common man who is appalled to be surrounded by events that take place in the name of faith. Kanji questions meaningless fasts and the allotment of special VIP lines at temples, with great passion. I think the entire audience from those who pay Rs 300 to those who pay Rs 100 will connect with the story line," says Shukla.
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On: October 25 at 7.45 pm.
At: Bhavans College Auditorium, Dr KM Munshi Marg Girgaum Chowpatty.
Call: 23691136.
Tickets: Rs 300, Rs 250, Rs 200, Rs 150, Rs 100.
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