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‘Sathe is a mindset’: Why theatre veteran Atul Pethe’s reviving an iconic play to tackle modern envy and social media fakes

With his experimental version of ‘Sathecha Kay Karayacha?’, director Atul Pethe wants audiences to introspect about the hatred within themselves.

3 min readFeb 17, 2026 11:57 AM IST

The play’s narrative unfolds through a series of conversations between Abhay and Salma, showcasing their loving relationship and Abhay’s growing frustration.

“It’s very well-written, and talks about so many things,” says eminent Pune-based director and actor Atul Pethe. It was this conviction that led him to reinterpret Rajeev Naik’s Sathecha Kay Karayacha?, a popular play where a husband is insecure about his colleague’s success and his wife must balance his emotions while juggling her own challenges. Directed by playwright-director Sandesh Kulkarni in 2001, the production was hailed as one of the most important works of its time.

“‘Redirecting’ Sathecha Kay Karayacha? in 2025 was a challenge and a discovery. Sathe is not a person, but a mindset. Envy, hatred, jealousy, and cutthroat competition destroy humans in any era. Today, this mindset has grown enormously, creating invisible enemies, spreading false narratives on social media, and making life difficult with fake personas. We are experiencing a rise in mental illnesses at a societal level. I wanted to showcase this era through this play, exploring how low we have sunk as humans and why. For me, this play is a metaphor,” says Pethe.

Pethe’s directorial credits alone are formidable, from Waiting for Godot, Premachi Goshta and Surya Pahilela Manoos to Ujalalya Disha, Anandowari Chowk, Satyashodhak and Malpractice and The Show.

The experimental play will have only 20 shows. Of these, 13 have been held, and three of the remaining seven shows will be held at The Box Two in Pune on February 21 and 22, starring Omkar Govardhan and Ashwini Kasar.

The actors play Abhay, an advertising professional, and his wife Salma, a college lecturer. The play’s narrative unfolds through a series of conversations between Abhay and Salma, showcasing their loving relationship and Abhay’s growing frustration. Through their interactions, the play highlights the importance of communication, trust, and understanding in relationships.

“The play explores the complexities of Abhay and Salma’s relationship as they navigate their personal and professional lives. Abhay’s feelings of inadequacy and competition with Sathe serve as a catalyst for his introspection and growth. The play touches on the themes of identity, self-worth, and the pressures of modern life,” says Pethe.

The play is produced by Natak Ghar and The Box and is packed with accomplished names. The lights are designed by Pradip Vaiddya, sets by Pradip Mulye, and music by Saket Kanetkar.

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Pethe’s Sathecha Kay Karayacha? is experimental in content and form. Previously, other directors have staged the play in a realistic way. Pethe has approached it non-realistically, using a fragmented style of acting, set, lighting, and music. The structure of the play is not the usual beginning, middle, and end; it’s 10 fragmented experiences. “Our collective effort was to bring this fragmented life to visual form and convey the anguish of helplessness,” says Pethe.

He adds that it is crucial that while watching this play, we introspect and see the hidden tendency of hatred within ourselves through the characters. “This play offers a philosophical opportunity to become wiser by showcasing the envy of any era. The characters and their rational evaluation of each other seemed very important to us. In today’s times, where emotions are easily hurt, it’s necessary to recreate such a dialogue between two people. The linguistic experiment in this play is significant,” he says.

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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