Over the years, Marathi stage has been doing a commendable job of picking up a burning issue in the society and presenting the same in a dramatic form to invite the attention of sensible audience. Santosh Nana Kochrekar has presented one such issue about the abduction of new born babies from the hospital. Through his banner Sagarika under the auspices of Maharastra Rangabhoomi, his new play ‘Govind Ghya Kuni Gopal Ghya’ directed by Mangesh Kadam, has very cleverly exposed the modus operandi behind such abductions in Municipal Hospitals. The play pays more attention on the trauma that the lower middle class family undergoes in such a situation.

The play throws light on the malpractices going on through a well knit chain of operators comprising of Ward boys, Nurses, attendants and some doctors too with the help of outside agents. Vithoba and Chandrabhaga are the parents of the new born baby, having been blessed with the child after twelve years of marriage. Janabai the old mother of Vithoba has brought up her only son by selling vegetables and now the small family is struggling to own a small stall in market. The incident of abduction of their new born child takes place during early hours of the morning; when shifts in the ward generally change. The mother is fast asleep and Janabai just goes to the toilet, when the child is lifted from the cradle.
After the family voices strongly about lifting of their new born, police is summoned and the investigation is carried out immediately by the Police. When the child is found, Vithoba, the child’s father, decides to leave the hospital immediately, in spite of the caesarian done on his wife. During the naming ceremony, the child’s mother Chandrabahga informs her mother-in-law that she remembers having seen a mole on the child’s right thigh and the same wasn't visible now.

As both get worried a newspaper reporter walks in and informs them that the child provided to them is not their own child as the DNA does not match with their reports. In the meanwhile a case is filed against the hospital authorities by a social wing. Soon thereafter, there are two more babies brought into the house and each one claiming it to be the real baby. One of them happens to be a baby girl. The poor family however keep all the three new born in their house, awaiting the outcome of the investigation.
The climax is cleverly concluded by the director filled with a humour and touch of emotion. The well written dialogues match well with situations. The play highlights the innocence and big heart of the hard working community into small vegetable business. Smita Talwalkar in the role of Janabai has given a wonderful performance. Her accent and body language perfectly matches with those vegetable vendors in Byculla market. Anita Date as Chandrabhaga looks natural and has done her job well. Kiran Mane as Vithoba has come out with a brilliant performance. He does have different shades in that role and has truly given justice to his role. Sunil Jadhav the favourite inspector of TV serials plays Inspector Bhosale with ease. All other performers have supported well. In all, ‘Govind Ghya Kuni Gopal Ghya’ is a timely presentation with a message. Certainly a worth watch for all, for successfully creating that humour through a serious tale .