It is easy to imagine Makarand Deshpande as a philosopher even after a  short conversation. The actor and playwright can speak profusely on societal bias, hubris and comedy with equanimity. His latest work promises to touch upon all these elements with his trademark humour and insight.

“I have been writing about subjects or question marks that you come upon while living life,” Deshpande tells us. His new production — Dhat Teri Yeh Grihasti slated to go on stage at Prithvi Theatre this weekend — is a take on one of the oldest institutions in civilisation — marriage. The playwright explains that it is part of his curiosity about aspects like ageing, beauty and death that led him to the subject. “We speak of the four ashrams — brahmacharyashram, grahasthashram, vanaprasthashram and sanyasahram of which marriage falls in the third category. People consider it essential to life, but are you qualified and ready for marriage is a different question,” he says.