BAA RETIRE THAAY CHHE makes a Comeback after 23 years...
October 3, 2011 12:00:00 AM IST MTG editorial
In what is described as a 'trend' by producers in Marathi and Gujarati commercial theatre, old plays which have been runaway successes or have been described as classics, are making a re-appearance for a select number of shows. Regarded as one of Gujarati theatre's landmark plays, BAA RETIRE THAAY CHHE has been revived for 25 shows in Mumbai. If successful, there will be shows in Ahemdabad too. The new production has been directed by Sanjay Goradia and produced by him and Kaustubh Trivedi together. When first produced, it made something of a history on the Gujarati stage, and catapulted its actress, Padma Irani (who came to be popularly known as Padmarani) to fame.
Sanjay Goradia says that he has an emotional bond with the play and has special memories of it. He co-produced the original production with Shafi Inamdar, who had directed it too. The original production completed 500 shows, and Sanjay Goradia adds that its success made him the successful producer that he is today.
Adapted from its Marathi original by Arvind Joshi, BAA RETIRE THAAY CHHE is centred on a woman who decides to 'retire' from her household duties, and thus raises a storm. The astute producer in Sanjay Goradia is quick to point out that it's only when the box-office opens, can reactions be actually gauged. He says that while these days, there are plays influenced by the social activism of Anna Hazare, his Baa also represents an activism of a different kind.
BAA RETIRE THAAY CHHE, with Padmarani leading the cast once more, will open on 23rd October 2011 at Prabodhan Thakeray auditorium in Borivali at 9 pm.
*Mumbai Theatre Guide takes no responsibility for change in schedule