THIS TIME is a landmark play for Akvarious, their 80th production! They deserve a huge applause for the consistently youthful and topical themes that they bring to the stage. So THIS TIME is about a college reunion after two decades - pulsating with anxiety and anticipation that accompanies nostalgia. Hugs, tears, surprise successes, shocking revelations and all the catching up, the ensuing scenes pack in loads of emotions.
The show opens in the college basketball court where Pranav Mattu, (Adhaar Khurana), a futurologist, saunters in reluctantly - lest he runs into his college sweetheart Alisha (Mallika Singh), who had broken up with him back then. Instead he bumps into the greying librarian of yore, Bernie ma'am who recognizes him soon as she dons her glasses, reprimanding him about his misadventures in the library back then in her characteristic caustic tone. She turns the clock back just with her presence.
And soon, amidst the excitement of music, food and rounds of celebratory toasts, the 'Reunion of Class of 2003' begins to unfold.
Funky adman Zamir, who prefers to be called 'Z' now, enjoys smoking up and poking fun at Pranav - asking him about 'POK - Pranav occupied Kashmir'.
On the other side is sassy Alisha, a museum curator in Vienna accosted by Ninad Kulkarni, chartered accountant turned stand-up comedian impressing her with his new found achievement as a humorist. Enter, London-based desi restaurateur couple Vishu and Suman Malhotra. Vishu retains his strong Punjabi accent and passion for Bollywood music with a fanatic fervour which only his college sweetheart and now wife can muzzle. Rich and glamorous socialite, Natasha Sood sashays in declaring "Without Natasha Sood, there's no party dude!"
Vivek Iyer, by now a successful writer of two raunchy romantic novels joins with punch lines like, "Addicted to validation", boisterous psycho therapist Unnati nudges sports doctor Parth Sanghvi if he has seen Hardik Pandya unclothed, then there's Tagore quoting lawyer Anil D'Souza who shifted to Kolkata, Soraya, Dubai based store owner of preloved merchandise, vernacular medium Lata Joshi turned a firebrand politician lamenting how she was bullied by all of them during college for her accent and looks. Albeit in a plethora of interesting characters, Pranav and Alisha manage to have some private moments of anger, accusations and some candid confessions.
The play is peppered with endearing scenes like the girls finding the letter they had written to their future selves about what they would achieve later in life, witty lines like "memory is a slippery slope". It also touches upon touch upon diverse issues like veganism, futurism and surrogacy.
While the script treads the predictable trajectory of calling names and making amends, the writer retains your attention with his clever statements like "What are reunions? A collective midlife crisis." Playful and engaging - yet overcrowded with characters, jammed with events - a live song performance by the immensely talented Garima - seems like the writer- director just can't have enough of his players.
And justifiably so, as the cast essaying multiple roles with versatility holds the audience in thrall. Garima Yajnik morphs effortlessly into various roles of socialite Natasha, Dubai based 'kabadiwali' Soraya and then the loud-mouthed therapist Unnati. Kshitee Jog juggles roles of aging librarian Bernie, London-based Punjabi wife Suman, steely politico Lata and the endearing plump pal Geetu with acrobatic flourish. Mantra as the zany Z, London-based patriotic Punjabi and sports physician has unrecognizable make overs. Siddharth Kumar as the stand-up comedian cum lawyer cum philandering novelist is totally impressive. So that leaves us with the main couple - Aadhar and Mallika - their flawless dialogue delivery and timing keep the audience nailed to the seats. Writer-director Akarsh Khurana displays how experience coupled with talent can transform the ordinary into something sparkling.
The set, music and lighting departments enhance the appeal of the play. Take a bow Akvarious… This Time!
Deepa Karmalkar is a senior journalist, features writer and reviewer.
