Bollywood of the 1950s on stage

Through the play Bollywood Ka Salaam...1950s Ke Naam, theatre group Ekjute shares its passion for the golden era of Indian cinema

Through the play Bollywood Ka Salaam...1950s Ke Naam, theatre group Ekjute shares its passion for the golden era of Indian cinema

As she talks animatedly about Ekjute's newest play --Bollywood Ka Salaam...1950s Ke Naamu00a0-- Juhi Babbar reveals her mother's love and admiration for Indian cinema of the 1950s. "She's an encyclopaedia! She remembers things like which song or which dialogue is from which movie. She has a photographic memory as far as the films from the 50s are concerned," says the doting daughter and lead actress of the play.


Juhi Babbar and Ankur Parekh in the play. The play is an amalgamation
of plots and characters that populated Bollywood films in the 1950s

Bollywood Ka Salaam...is essentially an amalgamation of some of the most popular plots and characters that populated the films of that era. So, you might find traces of Dev Anand and Dilip Kumar in the hero. The heroine appears to be a mix of Madhubala, Nargis, Vijayantimala and others, the villain is inspired by Pran, the vamp by Nadira and, of course, the mother figure resembles Durga Khote.

It has been a tough task for the cast to deliver the dialogues as earnestly as possible, considering how these lines have taken on a humorous connotation over the years. The actors have had to undergo immense training to maintain the essence of the characters. "It is so difficult to depict the innocence that the heroes and heroines had. We don't relate to these emotions anymore. How does one feel shy during the most clich ufffdd of situations?" says Babbar, who watched film after film from that era to prepare for her role.u00a0

Interestingly, to keep the mood of the black and whiteu00a0 era intact, Ekjute teamed up with Oscar-winning designer Bhanu Athaiya. The entire play is showcased only in tones of black and white, so the actors' costumes are also in the same hues. Another big name who has collaborated with Ekjute for Bollywood Ka Salaam... is MF Husain, who was a film hoarding painter in the 1940s and 50s. Husain has painted the poster of the play.

So if you've been missing the romance of a coiffured hero serenading his coy lady love to Suhana Safar Aur Ye Mausam Haseen in recent films, go watch Bollywood Ka Salaam... for a throwback to that time.

At: Today, 6 pm and 9 pm, Prithvi Theatre, Janki Kutir, Juhu Church Road, Vile Parle (W)
Call: 26149546

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