Holding forth

Indian actor Kader Khan on the importance of relationships as portrayed in his play

A two-and-a-half-hour play in Urdu woven around family relations and focussing on the lack of communication between the older and the younger generation is being brought to Dubai by Kader Khan, the reputed Bollywood actor, director and scriptwriter.

The play, entitled Taash Ke Patte (Pack of Cards), is organised by Signature Events and presented by Punjab Video in association with 89.1 Radio FM. It will be held at the Intercontinental Dubai today and tomorrow at 8.30pm.

Providing a brief insight into the drama, Khan says: "Human life is like a pack of 52 cards. While on the table one needs to think twice before dropping a card. Even if one holds a bad set of cards in one's hands there are chances to win the game by applying the required pinch of patience and intelligence. So is human life which is based on relations.

The acceptance of this particular play can be gauged by the fact that it staged 70 shows last year.

"In Dubai it is the 109th show. At present plays are staged in two acts, unlike some 10 to 15 years ago when it was done in three acts. It was through this play that I entered films as an actor.

"How could I ever forget the day when the legendary silver screen icon Dilip Kumar appreciated the play after he saw it. He was so impressed by my acting that he offered me my first assignment. It was for the film Bairag. The very next day I signed another film called Adalat".

Answering a query on his devotion to acting, Khan said: "I love theatre and I have so far done 30 plays. There was a time when theatre was very popular, but with the advent of commercial films things have changed a bit.

"Currently the only two theatres going strong (in India) are the Gujarati and Marathi ones. The reason for this is because of the strong culture. Take for instance Marathi culture. It is so strong.

"Wherever the Maharashtrians are or whatever they do in life they make sure they converse in their mother tongue at home. So is the case with South Indians. But unfortunately the same thing cannot be said about those coming from North India".

Hinting on giving equal importance to films and theatre, Khan, who has scripted many blockbuster films like Lawaaris, Mukaddar Ka Sikandar and Sharabi, said: "I love to make people laugh and, believe me, it is a tough agenda. The audience tends to associate me with the same humourous characters I play these days in films".

So how is the real Kader Khan. "I am a great lover of literature. I used to read classics written by Russian writers like Dostoevsky, Chekov and Maxim Gorky. I am inspired by them. But what flows out from a writer's pen is his own experiences," he said.

The tickets are priced at Dhs 75, Dhs 125 and Dhs 250, including dinner. They are available at the Intercontinental Dubai, Punjab Video, Sind Punjab Restaurant, Bombay Chowpatty, Quick Photo and the Indian Sports Club.