Theatre Review: Main Aur Tum

Play

:

Main Aur Tum

Director: Sharman Joshi
Duration: 120 minutes
Cast: Sharman Joshi and Tejashree Pradhan
Language: Hindi
Rating: 3.5

The idea of an extra-marital affair makes most people uncomfortable because falling in

love

with someone other than your spouse has always been considered an aberration. As a society, we’re conditioned to think that two people, married to others, can’t have a true love story. On celluloid, films like 'Silsila' and 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna' have explored this theme with sensitivity, while on stage, Raell Padamsee’s 'Unfaithfully Yours', an adaptation of Bernard Slade’s 1975 romantic play, 'Same Time, Next Year', also showcased the ‘other side’ of infidelity.
Sharman Joshi’s debut directorial play, 'Main Aur Tum' is the Hindi version of these plays. Adapted by Pankaj Trivedi, the story revolves around two people, married to their respective spouses, who happen to have a one-night stand. Their first meeting is electric, lustful and full of promise, and so, they decide to meet at the same place, on the same day, next year, to continue their romantic tryst. Eventually, this ‘date’ continues over a course of 25 years, during which they discuss every aspect of their lives — life, death, spouses, children, politics etc.
It’s difficult to sympathise with adulterous characters and their actions, without judging them. But Sharman Joshi and Marathi television actress Tejashree Pradhan have taken pains to make their characters endearing and their reactions justified. So, after the first few scenes, it’s hard to dislike them. Sharman comes across as the hero with flaws and yet, he manages to bring forth a vulnerable side. Tejashree, who is shown as the stronger one, shines in her Hindi theatre debut. After the discomfort of the initial few scenes, she masters the language and manages to pull off her part with finesse.
Though the chemistry between the two takes a while to set the stage on fire, once they get into the element, their banter is adorable. The pregnancy scene, especially, is highly enjoyable and the highlight of this theatrical rom-com.
A surprisingly sweet love story with a twist, this is one Hindi play that you shouldn’t miss.