In the bustling city of Mumbai, a remarkable convergence of seasoned experience and timeless storytelling breathes life into the stage with the two-act play, ‘Purane Chawal’. Directed by the adept Sumeet Vyas, this play is an adaptation of Neil Simon’s acclaimed 1972 work, ‘The Sunshine Boys’. This adaptation, seamlessly translated onto an Indian canvas, chronicles the tangled yet enduring relationship between two veteran comic actors, Khushaal Mehendi and Vijay Das, portrayed by the distinguished Kumud Mishra and Shubhrajyoti Barat.
The heart of ‘Purane Chawal’ is imbued with a sense of poignant nostalgia, as it traverses the complex dynamics of long-standing friendship. Despite having performed together for an extensive period of 42 years, Khushaal and Vijay’s camaraderie has frayed. Enter Ghanshyam Lalsa in the role of their nephew-turned-manager, who endeavors to mend their strained bond. It is an impending play within the play that acts as the catalyst for reconciliation, both in their personal lives and on stage.
Sumeet Vyas, acclaimed for his roles in ‘The Permanent Roommates’ (2014) and ‘Tripling’ (2016), brings a distinct directorial vision to this adaptation, penned by Farrukh Seyer and Avinash Gautam. His deep acquaintance with the veteran actors is palpable in the nuanced depiction of their characters. “They have known me since I was 17. I have grown up watching them perform and rehearse. Directing them was nothing short of a theatre workshop for me,” reminisces Sumeet.
Adapting a classic work into a contemporary setting comes with its own set of challenges. Yet, ‘Purane Chawal’ successfully retains the essence of Neil Simon’s original masterpiece while infusing it with a vibrant Indian ethos. The transition of settings from New York to Bombay and New Jersey to Alibaug, along with the substitution of Weekly Variety with the popular Indian magazine Mayapuri, effectively localizes the narrative. As Sumeet aptly puts it, “One has to make the script palatable for today’s audience… The story of this play for me is friendship.
. I treated these two characters like a couple, who’ve been with each other for 42 years. From that lens, it will always remain relevant.”
As someone who has oscillated between the roles of an actor, writer, and director, Sumeet Vyas attributes a significant part of his process to letting the play evolve organically during rehearsals. He constantly challenges himself with a simple yet profound question: “Would I buy a ticket and watch this?”
Sumeet’s predilection for the intimate, ephemeral nature of theatre is evident in his reflections. He muses, “In theatre or cinema, everything starts with a script, but there is something special about theatre after all — that it happens where it happens, and then it is never going to happen again. It’s always a different experience because it’s alive.” Returning to the fold of experimental theatre after an extensive stint in movies and web series, he exudes pride and optimism. “It pushes you to step out of your comfort zone and find narratives that are more stimulating for the audience. I have really enjoyed directing plays all my life, but ‘Purane Chawal’ has been the most rewarding experience for me.”
This D For Drama production, ‘Purane Chawal’, received its inaugural staging at the illustrious Prithvi Theatre in Mumbai last November. With almost a dozen subsequent performances, it has captured the hearts of many. The play has now embarked on its second phase, making its way to other cities across India. Scheduled performances in urban centers such as Bengaluru, Pune, Bhubaneswar, and Allahabad follow its successful presentations in Bareilly, Lucknow, Rewa, Indore, and Delhi.
Looking ahead, Sumeet Vyas envisions a future enriched with contemporary writing on stage, a testament to his passion for evolving narrative forms and creating meaningful, engaging theatre. ‘Purane Chawal’ not only revisits the past but also bridges it with the present, offering a timeless commentary on the enduring nature of friendship and the cathartic power of performance.
