CAMPUS BHATT DRAMA IN HANSRAJ

Filmmakers Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt presented a play at the Delhi University college

Hundreds in line and a packed auditorium welcomed filmmakers Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt as the father-daughter duo arrived at Delhi University’s Hansraj College on Thursday, to present Arvind Gaur’s play, The Last Salute.

Based on Iraqi journalist Muntadhar Al-Zaidi’s book, The Last Salute to President Bush, the play narrates what led the scribe to hurl shoes at former US president George W Bush. Bhatt says these are the stories he wants to share with the world, and students in particular. “Theatre is supposed to reveal the reality and stories of the underdogs; it is meant to highlight injustice, cruelty and various important topics. We’ve been presenting the play since 14 May, 2011... It is imperative to impart great lessons to students, and at the same time, keep them grounded with the reality of today’s society. The university is a great place to do so.”

The filmmaker lauds the Capital’s theatre scene. “Delhi is one place where theatre is really valued. We had shows at Kamani Auditorium before coming to campus, and despite plummeting temperatures, we had a packed audience. It is great to see the students line up, all enthused.”

Is he adapting a real-life event into a play? “Though not theatre, I’ll be coming out with the biographical account of Farhad Hussain, a 20-year-old boy from Dhaka, who lost his life on July 1 trying to protect two girls from India and US.”