| | | | Apara Mehta (left) and Smriti Z Iraani in a scene from the play | Smriti Z Iraani's stage debut Kuch Tum Kaho Kuch Hum Kahein is all set to open in the city.
The play, which also stars her Kyunki co-star Apara Mehta, will be staged at Bhaidas Hall on October 8.
Apart from touring various parts of the country, the play was also staged in Dubai and recently, in London.
Produced by Megha Arts and Catch 22 Entertainment, the play is a comedy about a nuclear family. Iraani plays the role of Sargam, while Mehta plays Vasundhara, her mother-in-law.
Sargam is a career-oriented woman who has studied business administration in the US. Vasundhara is a painter, but has given up her interests due to her obligation of looking after the family.
The story takes an unusual twist when Sargam and Vasundhara decide to do a role-reversal. Sargam decides to give up on her career and look after the household chores, while Vasundhara takes her painting seriously. Water works
Says Smriti, "I am really excited about the opening in Mumbai. We have taken it to a lot of places, but Mumbai is definitely very close to my heart."
Another reason for Smriti's excitement is that the play is going to raise funds for her NGO, People For Change.
"I have been working very closely on project Nirmal under People For Change. As a part of this project I want to provide safe and clean drinking water to villages around Mumbai.
There are lot of places like Bhiwandi, Vasai and others which are not even 100 km from the city, but don't get proper drinking water. My ambition is to make sure these people get safe drinking water." Grandpa's dream
The project is based on her grandfather's name, Nirmal. "He devoted his entire life working with adivasis and villagers. He was a Naval officer and lived on the pension he received. His dream was to take up one village and make sure it was provided with clean drinking water. He couldn't fulfill that dream, so I decided to take it up for him." Working gratis
Talking about the desire to open with a fundraiser, she says, "Since the opening will be a fundraiser, all actors, including Apara, have decided not to take money for it. Whatever money is collected will be utilised under Project Nirmal for ensuring clean water supply."
Apart from Smriti, others involved are Shashi Ranjan of ITA , Shariq Patel of G0 92.5 FM and Ramesh Kurup, who is associated with the Rotary Club of Mumbai North End. "I have worked with ITA during the tsunami relief and know Shashi personally. And Shariq jumped on board instantaneously." Men welcome
Talking about the fear that men would stay away from her play, Smriti says, "I know a lot of men who think it will be just like one of those saas-bahu serials. But I want the men to come, watch my play and laugh heartily. There is a sweet sublime message in the play, and I hope everyone comes in droves with their families to watch it."
Kuch Tum Kaho Kuch Hum Kahein played at Leicester on September 10, and in London on September 11. tushar.joshi@mid-day.com |
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