Nath, a prominent name in Indian theatre, adapted the play from a novella by Hindi writer Uday Prakash. The story, rich with metaphors and allusions, deals with an ordinary man 'Mohandas' in the post-independent India. His identity and job is "stolen" by a man from the upper caste.
The play's name is the same as that of Mahatma Gandhi but Nath says the story is not based on the Father of the Nation.
"When you watch the play, the perception is there that it is about Gandhi because the play has characters like Putlibai and Kasturi. For me, the name 'Mohandas' here represents the truth and how it is being misused by corrupt people," Nath said.
The director has put up productions based on playwrights like Vijay Tendulkar, Girish Karnad, Bhishma Sahni, Mohan Rakesh and Satish Alekar in the past.
Nath says he has not changed the story much but has taken liberties at some places to fit it in the theatre format. He says he was drawn to the story when he first read it in 2010.
"It was very difficult to adapt it into a play but I worked on it for sometime and a shape emerged. Uday Prakash is very happy with the play though he is yet to see it. I have not made many changes in the story, ninety per cent of it is as it happens in the novel.
"I also want to add that Udayji told me that the novella was based on a true story. The identity theft happened and a case is still going on."
Nath was happy to see a full house, admitting it was for the first time that the play was watched by so many people.
"I did not hear anyone coughing, which is a sure sign that the audience is getting bored. We have staged the play at Sri Ram Centre many times but it was for the first time that we got a full house because the festival gets publicity something we can't afford on our own."
