In your face, society!

Play: So What?!
Director: Suraj Parasnis, Kaumudi Walokar
Duration: 30 minutes
Cast: Kaumudi Walokar and 40 other set pieces
Language: Silent (Mime act)
Rating: 3 Stars
That girl you see hiding behind the rest in a group photo; that girl who drapes clothes on her body to hide her muffin top; that girl who struggles to learn contouring from online videos to appear thin; that girl who is asked to “polish off the cake”
because that’s what fat people do; this is the story of that girl.Co-writers and Co-directors Suraj Parasnis and Kaumudi Walokar bring that girl into the spotlight through So What?!. The 30-minute play that won the second place at this year’s Maunantar, is a mime act, with Vikrant Pawar and Amogh Inamdar’s music playing a huge role in the storytelling.
The story unfolds at a good pace. We have a fashion designer going about her day at home and at work. But then during small instances of everyday life she ends up being fat shamed. And while she tries to “leave” her body behind, she’s confined to the body space she has to live in, leading to the titular conclusion.

But the conclusion comes too soon, leaving you feeling like its not justified. The duration of the play does not leave the writers-directors to explore the story in depth, which ends up appearing slightly superficial. One needs to understand that for an individual to overcome the shame on personal level is a lengthy struggle. Yes friends and family can help you overcome your fears, but not always, especially those cases of body-dysmorphia, which the central character seems to suffer from.
Having said that, the play is flawless. The idea of a moving set is brilliant. A shoutout to actors playing the parts of the doors, the fan, the dustbin, and the bean bag; you were fabulous. Kaumudi too does a great job despite the added weight of the bodysuit.
It’s a simple story, but the sub-text involved is quite strong. The way we as a society easily shame people who do not appear like the regular ones is alarming. And So What?! definitely encourages a dialogue regarding the social issue.