Sharp, Blunt & Other Edges

Director Sophia Stepf on her ongoing love story with India and the award-winning play C Sharp C Blunt .

Pallavi in the play.

C SHARP C Blunt, a play that won multiple honours at the Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards (META), is the story of a smartphone app called Shilpa (played by Pallavi MD), who can sing, wink, shake her hips and be the perfect woman of patriarchal dreams. Behind her creation are three women, and the play reveals the ironies of their existence in their professional and personal worlds. We spoke to director Sophia Stepf about the play — being staged in India — and her experiences as a German theatre person in India.

What brought a German theatre artiste to India?
With India, I have an ongoing love story. I came as a dramaturgy student in 2001, wanting to experience a totally different theatre culture. That trip led to collaborations, plays, working with the Max Mueller Bhavan on theatre projects and writing on Indian theatre. I have been coming here for 12 years now and consider India my second home. I wish I could have voted.

How was the experience as a foreigner doing theatre in India?
I have such disparate experiences, of my skin colour, the way I speak, my gender and inner cultural programming in different places such as Toronto, Bangalore, Lagos and Berlin, that it seems almost logical to use these differences to create theatre. I know I am still a firang here, although some of my Indian friends joke about my being more Indian than them. I like to use these differences for my theatre, in order to create new forms and languages. India has a lot to offer — traditions, actors, philosophies and a vibrant theatre culture. I enjoy working here.

How was the process of devising C Sharp C Blunt?

We devised this play from the realm of our shared experiences, but centering around the experience of Pallavi as a professional singer and actor. Swar Thounaojam and Irawati Karnik contributed to this play in different ways, but the focus was Pallavi and the disparate worlds she occupies in one day. We had nothing when we started out, only some secondary text material. Our script is based on wild improvisations — after a while some ideas, scenes and performative moments prevail. We wove these into a performance that has logic in recurring themes, symbols and ideas as well as an energetic dramaturgy that will keep the audience engaged, although they are not following a linear narrative.

Your response to the accolades and critical approval for C Sharp C Blunt ?

Super! What more could I want? It is such a joyful experience that after 12 years of working in India, to be able to make a play that appealed to an Indian and an European audience. I am proud of my talented and hardworking team — Pallavi and Nikhil Nagaraj on stage and all the people behind the scenes.

Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More

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