Marital Woes

Even though this is her official stage debut,Velankar is no stranger to theatre and its ways. “My parents come from a theatre background. My sister and I too have been exposed to it. My first play took this long because I wasn’t finding a role that would suit me,” she says.

Lagna Bambal deals with marriage and live-in relationships,and Velankar plays the role of a simple Maharashtrian girl in it. “My character is that of a bubbly girl who is well-read and modern,and yet maintains a very traditional approach to life and marriage,” she says. Actor Subhod Bhave plays her love interest who is open to the idea of living together but against the idea of marriage.

The play has been directed by Vijay Kenkre,and was showcased in the city for the first time on Saturday at the Yashwantrao Chavan Natyagruha,Kothrud. The second showcasing was held the next day at Balgandharva Rangmandir. Velankar agrees that more and more playwrights are coming up with plays with marriage as their central theme,and feels it is all because of changing cultural perceptions. “Western influences in our modern day lives are a major reason. People are confused about marriage. Now issues like live-in relationships and contract marriages are not taboo. It explains their relevance in plays,” she says.

Keeping the possibility of a sequel open,the play ends on a conflictual note,with both Bhave and Velankar fighting for their respective ideas. “The situations may be unrealistic,but the characters are not. People will be able to relate to them,” assures Velankar.