'Lagnabambaal' the new Marathi play has two well-known artistes in the lead pair with Subodh Bhave and Madhura Velankar giving their best in this non stop hilarious comedy, but, it is Anand Ingale, through his character of Valmiki Satpute, invites all the attention. He seems to be a new find to fit into any type of role.

Playing a 40 year old Valmiki Satpute, a Magistrate, who is a bachelor and waiting for a nod from Mangal Dashputre (played by Shivani Karadkar) a spinster of his age and known to him since his college days and presently running a marriage bureau. Their love story runs parrallel to the affair of lead pair - Shardul and Menaka ( both around 30 years old age) who have different views about marriage. While the girl who loves the boy wants the boy to officially marry her; the boy on the other hand, who also loves this girl, believes in live-in-relationship. Finally, their distpute lands in the court of Valmiki.

Now, to proceed with the case, the writer has found two youngsters ( Baban, a boy of 18 and a young girl Ananya) as witnesses to the pre-marital acts of Shardul and Menaka at a Coffee Shop and in Goa. In the coffeee shop, Baban is a witness to the discussion between Shardul & Menaka, while Ananya stands as a witness to their being together at Shardul’s house in Goa. Urvashi , the younger but married sister of Menaka stands witness to prove that the marriage between the two is complete as per the old traditions. So, it's all about the couple's fight in the court of law, over this issue till they turn senior citizens. And, later whom they face in Supreme Court is a climax of this play.

The play has been targetted at young audience but it is also enjoyable by the 40 + age group. However, it fails to connect with the regular audience comprising of senior citizens, who find it little hard to digest the new lifestyle changes. During the play, you literally find some of them blank at occasions, while the youngsters burst into laughter. Perhaps, the concept of live in relationship and Ananya expressing surprise over Menaka remaining a virgin at 30; did not go well with their traditional Maharashtrian lifestyle; as most of them were found gossping among themselves; about this bold concept, during the break. But, those sporting audience, no matter whichever age group they belonged, seemed to have enjoyed this play.

Written by Madhgandha Kulkarni ( who also plays a small role of Urvashi in this play) certainly has added some flavour with effective punches that makes the audience laugh spontaneously. Director Vijay Kenkre has used his timing very well in almost all the scenes. All the characters look very realistic; be it easy going Shardul played by Subodh , confused but possessive Menaka played by Madhura, mod looking Ananya played by Neha, a typical Music lover -teenager of today, Baban played by Sanjay Deherkar, a smart and sharp Mangal played by Shivani and a simple looking village style housewife Urvashi; they all combine well with the king of comedy- Valmiki played by Anand Ingale. Anand seems to have gained a lot of confidence through his recent comedy shows on television and looked very comfortable through his perfect body language required for such stage plays.

Production design by Rajabn Bhise and perfect lighting by Sheetal Talpade makes this play more presentable, supported by good background score by legend Ashok Patki. The play will surely invite new young audience to the drama theatres.

by Ulhas Shirke © MMW