Five women, all dressed up and excited for their best friend’s wedding — this is the first impression you get from the posters of the new play, Dekh Behen by AKvarious Productions. The poster might trick you into believing that best friends are all a girl needs in her life, but what unfolds might change your perception.
Dekh Behen is one of the most popular plays by the Mumbai-based theatre group, AKvarious Productions, doing the rounds in the theatre circuit this year. After a run of 30 shows across India, the play will be staged in Bengaluru this weekend. “The story is about five girls, all of whom are bridesmaids at their best friend’s wedding. But as the evening progresses, everyone realises how much they dislike the bride,” explains director Prerna Chawla.
As they are gearing up to perform a dance sequence at one of the pre-wedding functions, they start complaining about their identical outfits. “There are five different opinions from five women,” says Prerna. From an inconsequential discussion about their costumes, the women get gossiping and gradually start talking about all the things that concern them.
“They share their opinions about infidelity, sex, social prejudices, promiscuity, getting drunk, education, consent and family pressure. But all this is dealt with in a humorous way, and I think that’s a good way to deal with certain real issues,” says the director. The play that takes the title from the popular ‘dekh behen’ memes is written by Dilshad Edibam Khurana and Tahira Nath Krishnan. Actor Shikha Talsania (who starred in Veere Di Wedding) debuts as a director.
Rs 300 upwards. September 8. At Ranga Shankara, JP Nagar, 7.30 pm. September 9. At The Humming Tree, Indira Nagar, 3 pm and 6 pm
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