Pranav Birje | Senior Correspondent
The iconic play ‘Ghashiram Kotwal’, written by legendary playwright Vijay Tendulkar, holds a significant place in Marathi and Indian theatre. It has been 52 years since the first staging of the play on December 16, 1972. So far, the play has been performed in nearly ten Indian languages and three foreign languages. However, it has never been presented commercially in Hindi. To bring this timeless masterpiece to Hindi-speaking audiences, writer-director Abhijit Panse and Bhalchandra Kubal have taken the initiative to stage this classic in Hindi. A press conference for the play was recently held, with notable personalities in attendance, including renowned actor Makarand Deshpande, veteran Hindi actor Sanjay Mishra, director Abhijit Panse, Bhalchandra Kubal, and choreographer Phulwa Khamkar.
Speaking at the event, Sanjay Mishra said, “I always wanted to do theatre, but due to film commitments, I never found the time. Ghashiram Kotwal is a timeless masterpiece with a vast scope. Getting to work on such a play enriches me as an actor. When this excellent team came together, I agreed immediately.” He further added, “Even though audiences are drawn to Marathi, Hindi cinema, and OTT platforms today, theatre continues to hold a special place in their hearts. Marathi theatre reflects today’s concerns, joys, and struggles. The Marathi stage is a powerful stream of expression, and we must continue to view theatre as its main medium.”
Extending his best wishes to the production, actor Makarand Deshpande said, “It is the actor who brings a play to life. Performing in a legendary play like Ghashiram Kotwal is a challenge. It’s great to see a seasoned actor like Sanjay Mishra and a thoughtful director like Abhijit Panse take on this challenge. I feel it’s important that such artistic works reach audiences.”
Director Abhijit Panse stated that their aim is to present Ghashiram Kotwal in Hindi to reach non-Marathi-speaking audiences. Since music and dance are integral to the original play, the Hindi version will feature live music with an ensemble of 12–15 instruments and performances that blend Marathi Lavani and Qawwali to create a unique theatrical experience.
Director Bhalchandra Kubal expressed his joy in bringing this timeless Marathi play to Hindi, emphasizing that theatre has long been a medium of expression for generations in Maharashtra, and this adaptation crosses language boundaries.
The Hindi version of Ghashiram Kotwal is being presented by 33 AM Studio led by Akanksha Mali, Anita Palande, and director Abhijit Panse’s Ravan Future Productions. The play stars Sanjay Mishra, Santosh Juvekar, and Urmila Kanitkar in powerful performances. The premiere will be held on August 14 at Bal Gandharva Rangmandir, Bandra, Mumbai at 8:00 PM, followed by additional shows on August 15 at the same venue and August 23 at Tata Theatre, NCPA, Mumbai at 8:00 PM. The production involves a team of 60 performers.
The Hindi adaptation has been penned by renowned poet and writer Prof. Vasant Dev. Set in the Peshwa era, the original play critiques contemporary political systems. In the narrative, the powerful Nana Phadnavis manipulates Ghashiram Kotwal and, in doing so, also manipulates society. The character of Ghashiram is a metaphor for the recurring presence of cruelty and oppression in various fields, making the play timeless in its relevance.
The songs in the play are written by Prof. Ashok Bagwe, Chandrashekhar Sanekar, Sunita Shukla Trivedi, and Mandar Deshpande. Set design is by Sandesh Bendre, choreography by Phulwa Khamkar, and music composition by Mandar Deshpande. Lighting design is by Harshvardhan Pathak, costumes and visual styling by Abhijit Panse, tailoring by Chaitrali Dongre, and costume production by Balwant Kajrolkar. The production head is Mandar Tillu, with stage management by Santosh Mahadik.
The performances at Tata Theatre, Nariman Point, will be organized in collaboration with the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA). NCPA Executive Officer Rajeshree Shinde expressed her delight, stating, “We are honored to be associated with the production of Ghashiram Kotwal. The anticipation for this new rendition of Vijay Tendulkar’s prestigious play has grown tremendously among audiences.”