Theatre can’t change minds, only try to affect them, says Avijit Dutt

As cases of rape among children are on the rise, Avijit Dutt creates a play on the abuse of minors.

Avijit Dutt. (File)

In a fictional town, connected to surrounding cities by the 9.45 Express, a family mourns the passing away of the patriarch. Relatives descend on the house from different places and, soon, old memories are revisited and buried histories get revived. One of the skeletons that tumble out reeks of child abuse. 9.45 ki Express Ki Citee, a play in Hindi, written and directed by Avijit Dutt, enters into the heart of a household that has an abuser and a minor victim. Dutt, who has been seen in recent films, such as Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Madras Cafe and Jolly LLB 2, has acted in more than 50 plays and written scripts such as Bombay Bosnia, Mahatma Mar Gaya and Hazar Chaurashir Ma (with Shyamanand Jalan).

Excerpts from an interview about 9.45 ki Express Ki Citee, which marks 10 years of Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights:

True story

The script is inspired by the experiences of a girl I know who was abused during childhood. The person who abused her was the husband of somebody who was extremely powerful in the social sector.

Steps in the right direction

I have worked in the area of child rights and had launched the Child Line in 1995-96 with UNICEF and NHRC. I have also done a film called Akkar Bakkar that went to Cannes, and was shown in the Parliament. I feel that theatre cannot change people but we can try to affect some minds. Every little way we can empower the system against this beastialty goes a long way.

Wielding the pen

The story has eight kinds of people, six from one class and two from another. There is tremendous amount of sub-text and every line hints towards what is not said.

Rising statics of child abuse

We are seeing more and more abuse in the country. It should concern anybody who is a right-thinking human.

(The play is at India Habitat Centre on September 2. Tickets on BookMyShow)

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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