‘Nathuram Godse Ko Marna Hoga’: Bharat Dabholkar’s adapted play that tries to sheds light on Godse’s rationale in Gandhi assassination

“This is an adaptation of a Marathi play that was done 25 years ago by Pradeep Dalvi. This is a longer play, and I have shortened it to suit the taste of English and Hindi audiences,” said Dabholkar who have written 32 plays, all of which were comedies and satires on modern life. “I thought this (the play on Godse) was an aspect I had never covered, and it was necessary to talk about a chapter that nobody knew about,” he mentioned.

Dabholkar clarified that the play does not glorify Nathuram Godse.

“In the Marathi version, Godse came through as a hero and was portrayed as very casual when he came to the police station. I felt that a man who killed someone, especially a personality like Gandhiji, cannot be casual or seen as a hero. While you may agree or disagree with him, the play cannot portray him as a hero,” he said.

The Hindi show is scheduled for 2.30 pm, followed by the English adaptation at 5.30 pm.

“Killing anybody is never right, no matter the reasons. The idea is to look at why he did it because, so far, we didn’t know this,” Dabholkar said.

The play’s narrative incorporates testimony from Nathuram Godse that was suppressed during the trial. Dabholkar said that as the court case was underway, the government blacked out Godse’s testimony and reporters were forced to hand over their notes, and were warned not to publish anything. “The entire proceedings were reported except for the reasons Godse gave for his actions. That is the most important part of the play—not just that he killed Gandhi, but why he felt he should,” he pointed out.

Casting was a significant challenge, as it required actors who could portray historical figures like Gandhi and Godse with authenticity.

Dabholkar shared, “The cast includes mostly Marathi actors, some of whom learned their English lines by transliterating them into Marathi. Characters like Godse and Gandhi required actors who could closely resemble their historical counterparts and deliver lengthy dialogues in both English and Hindi.”

The actors deliver emotionally charged, dialogue-heavy performances, highlighting the dedication required to bring the narrative to life.

Audiences have responded with surprise and appreciation for the play’s balanced approach, says Dabholkar as it seeks to present a hidden chapter of history, sparking discussions and encouraging viewers to reflect on their understanding of historical events. “‘Nathuram Godse Ko Marna Hoga‘ is not merely a theatrical performance but a platform for dialogue and education,” he said.