After a decade-long break, actress Shifalli Shah will be seen in the play Bus Itna Sa Khwab Hai, portraying a compelling role that explores the many nuances of motherhood

The cast rehearses for Bus Itna Sa Khwab Hai. Pic/ Santosh Nagwekar

While the cast listens to the music cues for the first time, the clamour on the stage gets worse. Preparations for a dummy run are on and backstage help has taken over every inch of the stage. The grand rehearsal itself might take eons to begin. Chaos reigns as there are only a few days left for the premiere show of Bus Itna Sa Khwab Hai, but as with most plays, we are sure it will get sorted, soon.

The play is an adaptation of the original Marathi play Dhyani Mani, written by Prashant Dalvi, in the eighties. Eminent Marathi actors Neena Kulkarni and Shivaji Satam essayed the lead roles in the original play that had a successful run of almost 440 shows and went on to achieve cult status.

Chandrakant Kulkarni has been an integral part of the play for many years now. "I was part of it right since the scripting process. That works as an advantage because like a woman, wine or pickle gets better as it matures (sic!). And so does this play; it's a part of my soul now," says Kulkarni.

Bus Itna Sa Khwab Hai is about Shalini and Abhimanyu Singh who, like most couples, build their life around their son Mohit. The socio-psychological play is remembered even today for great performances and a gripping script. Taking up a role that was once portrayed by talented actresses' Neena Kulkarni and Sarita Joshi does not leave Shah rattled. "They're incredible actresses but this Shalini is my version of the character. I have to be honest to the character, what someone else has portrayed holds little consequence to me," she says.
u00a0
The script of the play allowed Shifalli to explore the many nuances of motherhood; an incentive good enough for her to make a comeback after a hiatus of 10 years. "It's a landmark play and any actress would love play Shalini," she says.

Her co-star Kiran Karmakar adds, "Be it any language, any country, any period and any time, this family situation has a universal appeal. It's a play with an easy connect value."
If you manage to get tickets, once the VIPs have taken their seats, figure out if you can make the connect too.

On August 15 at 7.45 pm
At Rangsharda Auditorium, KC Marg, Reclamation, Bandra (W).
Call 26430544
Tickets Rs 100, Rs 200, Rs 300, Rs 400, Rs 500

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels