The Shahs of Indian theatre in Gurgaon

Ismat Chughtai’s short stories may have earned her plaudits and accolades over the years, but in her lifetime, the writer was vilified and even prosecuted for being obscene. “Even in those days, the moral police was quite similar to how it is today,” said Naseeruddin Shah about Chughtai as the veteran actor presented a dramatisation of the writer’s short stories at the Delhi Theatre Festival, being staged in Gurgaon.

Ismat Apa Ke Naam, directed by Shah, featured three of Chughtai’s short stories, each narrated and dramatised by a different performer. Heeba Shah brought to life Chhui Mui, a tale of two contrasting pregnant women, and how a train journey brings them together.

Ratna Pathak Shah

performed one of Chughtai’s more famous stories, The Veil, performed here as Mughal Bachha. In an energetic performance, the celebrated actress brought to life the journey of a a neglected wife from a teenage bride to an aged widow.

Ratna Pathak Shah

The culmination of the three-act play was Naseeruddin Shah himself performing a comedy named Gharwali, which dealt with the intricacies of a middle-aged man torn between whether he should keep his maid as a paramour or wife. “These plays are not plays but stories,” he said about the performance, adding, “We have tried to be as truthful to Ismat Apa’s tales as possible. We have even used the same Urdu language she wrote in.” Despite the chaste Urdu, the play was watched by a packed house at the auditorium, who responded with a standing ovation at the end, prompting Naseeruddin to say, “Thanks for being a wonderful audience. We promise to return here next year.”

Ratna Pathak Shah

Avinash, a Sector 54 resident, said, “I have always wanted to watch Naseer sahab live and it was a dream come true for me. The way they all performed was so immersive that I felt I was in Chughtai’s world.”

Heeba Shah