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Even before the start of his play Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai, lead actor Anupam Kher manages to win over his audience. In an informal walk through the auditorium - something Indian audiences are not accustomed to - he chats and jokes with whosoever his eyes fall upon, breaking the ice with ease.
Then, for just over two hours he holds you mesmerised as he takes you on a roller-coaster ride through his life, starting from his childhood. Such is the power of his performance that you can't help but put yourself in his shoes as Kher brings alive the various failures, heartbreaks, hopes and successes that he has seen. Through his narratives - some humorous and others poignant - you end up making his experiences your own. He takes you aback with his frankness at how success, when he finally tasted it, went to his head. Humility is not a word one associates with Bollywood stars, but in the play he comes across as humble and vulnerable, just like us ordinary mortals.
This play is one of the 82 productions in 23 languages that are being staged at seven different venues around New Delhi as part of the 17th Bharat Rang Mahotsav. Organised by the National School of Drama, the 18-day festival is also witnessing participation by 12 countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, China, Poland, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh, among others.
Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai, directed by Feroz Abbas Khan [who has acclaimed plays like Mahatma v/s Gandhi and Tumhari Amrita to his credit], is a classic retelling of a life lived to the fullest. To Kher's credit, [I don't know much of his film career to comment on], he makes the audiences hold on to every word during a performance that is long, is delivered at a rapid pace and needs every bit of concentration that you can muster. It makes you want to meet some of the characters, including his father and life-long friend, Vijay Sehgal, who, as it turns out, is in the audience and is introduced at the end, much to everyone's delight. Kher's life journey absorbs you from start to finish and you leave the auditorium feeling that you know him personally.
Yet another play that has stood out this year is Kambakht Bilkul Aurat, a collection of three stories by legendary Urdu writer, Ismat Chughtai, best known for her controversial short story Lihaaf. Directed by Naseeruddin Shah - who has previously directed and acted in Ismat Aapa Ke Naam - the three stories are Amar Bel, Nanhi ki Naani and Do Haath.
The first, Amar Bel, is a delightful story of a young woman whose timeless beauty rankles her husband as he ages gracelessly. Enacted by Manoj Pahwa, the performance stands out in terms of the flawlessness of its execution, sheer humour and timing in delivery of dialogue. His command over Urdu sometimes leaves you struggling to catch the subtle nuances of humour in the hour-long story. Pahwa is exceptional in his performance - comparable with that of his director, Shah, who is almost always at his best while on stage. The second performance, Nanhi Ki Naani, is also engaging, if a bit pale in comparison to its predecessor. A reversal of the order may have left the audience wowed.
This edition of the festival brings a host of regional performances, with plays in Manipuri, Assamese, Kannada and Tamil dominating the fare. Unfortunately, the regional plays are not a sell-out, unlike Kher and Shah's shows that have long queues waiting till the end of the show, with several people watching the whole production while standing.
The international groups also deserve a mention. These include a UK-based theatre company that has brought Agamemnon to the capital. Then there is C Sharp C Blunt by a German theatre group and yet another German production, An Enemy of The People, a play by Henrik Ibsen. While some of the productions are being staged for the first time, some, including Kher and Shah's plays, have been performed earlier.
If you have a free afternoon, even if you are not a theatre lover, it may still be worthwhile to visit the grounds at the National School of Drama to soak in the festive atmosphere. Young students throng the grounds and lend it a certain energy. There are some handicrafts and a wealth of books (including several Hindi authors and many regional writers) on sale. The falafel and kebabs on offer aren't too bad either.
The 17th Bharat Rang Mahotsav will be held till February 18 at seven venues across the capital. View the schedule at nsdtheatrefest.com/schedule.html
