Naughty at forty

Play:Alibaba Aur Chalis Ke Chor
Director:Dheeraj Palshetkar
Duration: 120 minutes
Cast:Manoj Joshi, Meghna Malik, Kiran Karmarkar and others
Language: Hindi
Rating: 3
A new play titled Alibaba Aur Chalis Ke Chor is currently doing the rounds of theatres and auditoriums in the city. Adapted from a Marathi play, originally written by Vivek Bele, this one calls out to all those people suffering from mid-life crisis!
Just like countless movies, which showcase extra-marital affairs between people tormented by the woes of hitting middle age, Alibaba Aur Chalis Ke Chor throws light on similar doubts and desperation, albeit in a comic way.Don’t get mislead by the title – this one is no Arabian Nights tale and hasn’t got anything to do with discovering hidden treasure! A simple plot, the story is of 7 thick friends — 3 married couples and a bachelor — who often spend their free time partying together. But at one such party, when the light goes off, a noisy kiss-and-slap situation occurs during the blackout. Naturally, everyone starts wondering whose wife got kissed and whose husband got slapped! Before everyone can treat it as a silly, drunken mistake, the next day, an anonymous blog is set up, which leaks dirty secrets of every friend. That’s when things get murky and relationships are at stake.
Though lasting for two hours, the play isn’t a drag because of its almost whodunit style of presentation, which is enjoyable and refreshing, considering this isn’t a murder mystery. At no point can you easily guess who the victim/culprit is and that keeps your interest piqued. Despite a simple plot, there is depth in the story, thanks to all the conversations between the couples. It teaches a lot about how a relationship between a married couple should be and where one must draw the line. With popular actors like Manoj Joshi, Meghna Malik and Kiran Karmarkar as part of the cast, you get to see some solid performances. A special mention to Tapasya Nayak, whose character brings out the maximum laughs!
You may get annoyed at the stereotyping of the characters and situations. And though the play is funny in most parts, there are certain scenes, especially between couples, that get too serious and seem out of sync. Just treat it as a light-hearted comedy and you will definitely enjoy the show. A fun watch for those of you touching your 40s. Make sure you take your friends along.