About life and love

Hindi play highlighting personal relationships to be staged at Jumeirah Beach Hotel today and tomorrow

Well-known Indian actors will perform a play titled Saalgirah tonight, a Hindi adaptation of the American Special Occasions by Bernard Slade. Anupam Kher and wife Kiron, will entertain theatre enthusiasts in the Feroz Khan-directed play at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel auditorium, today and tomorrow.

"It's a play about relationships relevant to our time," said Chimoo Acharya, director of L'attitude, organiser of the event. "A society in transition takes its toll on personal relationships, as people move away from traditional roles.... Inevitably, marriage suffers.

"Saalgirah takes a close look at one such marriage. It is funny, poignant thought-provoking and always identifiable with our own lives." Kiron added that the play has universal appeal and easily identifiable content.

"The livability of the plot... everybody commits goof-ups and compromises," explained Anupam. Both actors expect the audience to respond well to the play because of its crux that people can easily recognise.

Saalgirah is a play on a couple re-assessing their marriage and subsequent separation. It is about Samir and Sonali who are celebrating their 15th wedding anniversary. Ironically, they are to separate the next day, but even at this late stage in their relationship, they cannot stop bickering and shouting. The play charts the separation and how it takes its toll on the two people.

Feroz is equally enthusiastic about the performance. He has brought three of his plays to Dubai in the past year and feels the audience is extremely sensitive in its response. He said: "They have loved my work and I love them."

Khan has been a professional director for the past 11 years with a stint at Mumbai's renowned Prithvi Theatre. Acharya said she feels there is a need to bring in more established theatre work to Dubai, to help encourage more people to attend and build awareness.

"There is a need to educate," she said. Gates open at 7.30pm and the play is expected to start at 8.30pm. Tickets are priced at Dhs 350 and 250, and are available from Sind Punjab restaurant, Bombay Chowpatty, Lamcy PLaza, Indian Sports Club, Home Centre outlets and box office of L'atitude.