Rajit Kapur’s new play: I am in the dark

The play was created by Iranian writer Nassim Soleimanpour when he was banned from travelling overseas for refusing to do military service.

3 min readNew DelhiOct 15, 2016 12:19 AM IST

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Rajit Kapur takes on White Rabbit, Red Rabbit, a political play with a secret script and a different performer every time. (Source: Express Photo)

Actor Rajit Kapur’s new play is lying in a sealed envelope. It will be before the audience, as the house lights dim, that the actor will see his lines for the first time. White Rabbit, Red Rabbit is an experimental solo play that has become one of theatre world’s best-kept secrets, with even the gregarious social media leaking out little. “What is it about? How to do it? I have no idea? I am in the dark,” says Kapur (pictured). He will be on stage as part of the Old World Theatre Festival, in association with The Indian Express, on October 16. “You have to think on your feet, you have to decide then and there what you have to do,” says Kapur. Forty-eight hours before the show, he will receive an email asking him to prepare only an animal impersonation.

The play was created by Iranian writer Nassim Soleimanpour when he was banned from travelling overseas for refusing to do military service. White Rabbit, Red Rabbit captures the conflict of his generation — he was 29 at the time — that has grown up amid the Iraq-Iran war, and is wired to the world through the Net but lives in an Islamic state.

“Reviewers have been admonished not to give away much about what transpires during these 75 minutes, so my hands are tied, to a certain degree. Maybe this is appropriate, since the play comments implicitly on the strictures that all artists — indeed, all citizens — in Iran and other authoritarian states must confront and negotiate on a daily basis ,” says the New York Times about the play.

The closest Kapur has come to the play’s unusual format is “during rehearsal, when the director tells you to continue and the scene is not written beyond a point”. White Rabbit, Red Rabbit is performed by a different actor every time. “We knew that QTP had the rights and we had expressed a wish to do the play. It was performed by Atul Kumar and Ali Fazal as part of Writer’s Bloc Festival 2016. I have not seen any of the performances,” says Kapur. Before Kapur is an illustrious line of performers who have experienced the uncertainty of the play since it opened at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2011 — Oscar-winning actor Whoopi Goldberg, Cynthia Nixon of Sex and the City, and, in August this year, Stana Katic from Castle. In India, the play has also been performed by veteran actor Arundhati Nag.

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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