An epic retelling
Isheeta Ganguly’s latest play is a contemporary take on King Dushyant and Shakuntala’s love story from the Mahabharata
The Indian epic, Mahabharata is a source of countless myths and stories and theatre practioner, Isheeta Ganguly’s latest play is inspired by one such tale. Shakuntala Awaits, which is set to premiere in the city, is a modern rendition of a love story about King Dushyant and Shakuntala. The play will see Indian American actors Samrat Chakravarti of Midnight Children Fame and Purva Bedi take the stage in Mumbai for the first time.
Ganguly, who has written andand directed thethe playplay says, “Unlike the epic, the play is a modern-day story about how Shakuntala meets Dushyant at a bookstore in Mumbai. The couple parts with the promise that he will return for her, just as the tale from the Mahabharata goes. Dushyant goes back to his life of a professor of a university in Cambridge, USA. But when Shakuntala looks forward to reuniting with Dushyant, a surprise awaits her. This time she writes her own destiny instead of following the epic ending.”
Talking about thethe play Chakravarti says, “I feel honoured to make my theatre debut in Bombay with such a powerful story. I am thrilled to work with Isheeta Ganguly and fellow actor Purva on such a dynamic and timely piece that bridges a classic tale with the modern intricacies of today’s society.”
Interestingly, Ganguly earlier directed a play, titled Three Women, which dealt with women negotiating issues of identity and empowerment in the public domain.do Her latest work also highlight similar themes andan how women should not ““reconciler with expectations ofof society”. Ganguly adds, “If we looking at sexual freedom for today, we are still not no equal. My father used to saysa that as long as women bear be children they will never bebe equal.” While the play is ““reflective of every modern woman’ saw journey”, Ganguly says women today need to un learn un their mothers and grandmother’s voices. “We are so conditioned by what we’ve been taught that it takes years to separate that learning from ourselves,” she adds.
Ganguly reveals that the play is also set to be made into a feature film soon, “I am already in talks to turn it into a film and Lisa Ray has shown interest in the project. She has been riveted by the story and she wants to write a screenplay with me,” she adds.