SAN JOSE, CA: Anupam Kher’s latest and eagerly anticipated production, “Mera Woh Matlab Nahin Tha” played at a packed San Jose City National Civic in San Jose as part of its North American tour on Saturday, September 12. The venue was packed with over 3500 stage play lovers. Due to the public demand, another show was added to the tour and was played on Friday, September 11 at the same venue.
The story, beautifully written and narrated by Rakesh Bedi, is crisp and fast-paced, without a single dull moment in the almost two-hour production. The versatile actor, Kher, along with his talented co-star Neena Gupta, brought the capacity crowd to its feet with their flawless performance.
The play was produced by Kher’s “Actor Prepares”. It is India’s finest acting school for talented individuals who wish to pursue careers as actor-performers in the entertainment industry. Established in 2005 by Anupam Kher, it is the only school for actors in the world to be founded by an actor who is professionally active.
The play set in Lodhi Gardens, Delhi, where Hema Roy (Neena Gupta) is waiting for Pritam Kumar Chopra (Anupam Kher) on a park bench. “Mera Woh Matlab Nahin Tha” is an invitation for a walk down memory lane with childhood sweethearts Pritam and Hema, who reunite after 35 years and examine the reasons why they drifted apart. Kher’s versatile performance makes the play a reality. Though this is Neena Gupta’s first come-back after ten long years, the actress gave a flawless performance.
Neena Gupta, playing a double role as Hema Roy (Pritam’s lover) and Nigaar (Pritam’s wife), flawlessly switches from one role and accent, depicting two very different roles with a corresponding array of emotions in both roles. Rakesh Bedi’s sporadic appearances as a casual jogger in the park brings lighter moments into the play. Vikas Rawat is the music director of the play.
“It is not just a love story, but a story about relationships, misunderstandings and our awkwardness in dealing with the truth. It has universal appeal,” Kher said. A new concept has been employed in the production of this play with the use of multimedia. A large video screen depicts flashbacks and there are even interactive dialogues between the actors on stage and those on the screen.
This is the first time that history was created for a houseful play (drama). In the past, Bay area has seen packed shows for music concerts and Bollywood dance performances. The play was truly an experience to be treasured and cherished.
Besides accolades for his performance in the play, Kher has been honored with numerous proclamations in San Jose for his commendable work in performing arts and for being a champion for gender equality and defender of human rights, representing 500,000 Kashmiri Hindus uprooted from Kashmir 25 years back.
Anupam Kher has appeared in several hundred films and many plays. Mainly working in Bollywood films, he has also appeared in acclaimed international films such as the 2002 Golden Globe nominated Bend It Like Beckham, Ang Lee’s 2007 Golden Lion winning Lust, Caution, and David O. Russell’s 2013 Oscar winning Silver Linings Playbook. He has held the post of chairman of Central Board of Film Certification and National School of Drama in India.
In 2004, he was honored with the Padma Shri by the Government of India for his contribution to Indian cinema. Kher has won the Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role five times. He is currently seen hosting the second season of celebrity talk reality show titled ‘The Anupam Kher Show – Kucch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai’, which airs on Colors. US state’s most populous city Las Vegas has declared September 10 as ‘Anupam Kher Day’ to honor the veteran Bollywood actor Anupam Kher for his commendable contribution to cinema and art globally.
Rakesh Bedi , writer and director of this masterpiece, grew up in Delhi and has acted in over 150 Hindi movies and several TV serials, including Chashme Buddoor. Neena Gupta won the 1994 National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for Woh Chokri. She is a popular actress in Indian commercial cinema, but it is her work with art filmmakers of India, like Shyam Benegal that got her recognition as an actress of considerable repute. She also hosted the Indian version of the television quiz show The Weakest Link, Kamzor Kadii Kaun.
In the Bay Area, the play was promoted by Bikramjeet Singh of Bollywood Events and they had partnered with Instant Karma, Ricky Singh and Gagan Singh. Bollywood Events and Instant Karma are Bay Area’s premier entertainment company covering all aspects of the entertainment spectrum including Live Concerts, Dramas, Events. Kavi was the event co-ordinator and spokesperson for the Bay Area show.
Kashmiri Hindu Foundation, a non-profit, non-political, non-religious organization focused on helping underprivileged children in camps in India and building the Kashmiri cultural center in USA, supported the show. Nationally, the show was promoted by Rajinder Singh of Houston-based Star Promotions Inc.
The fiftieth show of this play received glorious response from over 3,000 phenomenal audience over the weekend in Los Angeles. The performance also ended its US tour that began on stage on August 7 in Houston and went around 21 major US cities and Toronto and Vancouver in Canada, with its 23 back-to-back and sold-out performances.
The tour now moves to the Mid-east followed by Europe. “Very excited with the way the play has been received during this US Tour. I have always believed that all dreams come true. My US trip has reaffirmed that belief,” Kher, 60, said.
Vidya Sethuraman
India Post News Service
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