True-life lessons from the Jaipur blast on stage

Theatre group star makers was caught in communal chaos that followed the Jaipur blasts. Now, they're revisiting their experiences with some humour thrown in

Theatre group star makers was caught in communal chaos that followed the Jaipur blasts.u00a0 Now, they're revisiting their experiences with some humour thrown in

The story behind this story says a lot in itself. On May 13, 2008, theatre and TV actor Saleem Shah was conducting a theatre workshop in Jaipur when a journalist came to interview him sometime between 6 and 8 pm.

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"As a norm, our phones were on the silent mode, but this lady started talking animatedly on her phone. I told her to wait for me to end the session, but then, the news was shocking. She was told that there had been eight serial blasts across Jaipur. Hearing this, we all checked our mobiles to realise that there had been numerous calls from our relatives and family. Within a few minutes, the whole class turned frantic," he reminisces.

After around 10 minutes, a Muslim student, Zoya started crying. Later, they got to know that her parents had a clinic at the blast site, and she was unable to establish contact with them. And as if that wasn't grave enough, some started to see Zoya with suspicion, since she was a Muslim. "We left the venue after police told us to."

But, the vivid impressions of the incident weren't to leave, ever. The blasts opened Saleem's eyes to the pre-conceived notion that people rise to, the moment after atrocity: Muslims are terrorists. "It was then that I decided, why don't we have a debate on this sensitive subject, and hence, this play was born. We added some fiction, too, to add some more depth," he elaborates.u00a0

'Zoya Khanu2026Jawaab do?', the 90-minute comic production born out of Saleem's subconscious interpretations, unfolds as a linear narrative in which a group comprising a bisexual, a young model, a businessman, an astrologer, a patriotic punter, a struggling actor and a young college couple are enjoying an acting workshop.

When a policeman brings news of major terrorist attacks in the vicinity, the equation changes. He misbehaves with the actors but doubts only Zoya Khan's credentials. His provocative words prompt distrust in others, and their group divides into two - pro and anti Muslim. Locked in the auditorium, as security forces comb the city outside, this group soon turns their thoughts into a debate.

"I can, through my character, feel Zoya's pain so clearly. It has helped me understand Islam and Muslims better," says Anjali Gaharana, 19, who essays the character of Zoya Khan.

The sane vs. the 'sena'

"I felt a sense of responsibility to tell people to have an open dialogue. After the 1984 Sikh Riots, any blast would trigger a suspicion about the community, but now, it has shifted to Muslims, since the last two decades. I am also expressing my apprehensions of constant provocation turning sane voices into 'sena' voices, and wishing that 'sena' voices becomes saner voices. If I could remove certain misgivings about the Muslim community in India, I would feel my purpose is solved," Saleem signs off, hoping you'd play your part.

Zoya Khan... Jawaab do?
When: December 19u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0
Time: 7 pm
Where: Alliance Franu00e7aise de Delhi, 72 Lodi Estate
Ring: 43500200
Entry: Tickets priced at Rs 500, Rs 300, Rs 200 and Rs 100 can be collected from the venue or you can call the tele-booking number: 9911050506