Strains of Hindustani Classical music interspersed with those from ghungroos greet us as we enter the rehearsals for the play Begum Jaan that opens this weekend. The elaborate set recreates the ambience of a kotha in Lucknow, with Mughal style arches. Directed by Pradeep Gupta, the play stars actress Daisy Shah (who makes her stage debut), veteran actor Gufi Paintal, Akhil Rajendra, Jitendra Srimali and Pankaj Mishra. As we tiptoe into the Yashwant Rao Chavan Natya Sankul, in Matunga and settle into a seat, Shah who plays the title role is enacting a scene where she meets her lover, a chronic alcoholic, Rashid Khan (played by Rajendra) for the first time.

Daisy Shah as Begum Jaan