Feisal Alkazi’s play The Kambatta Case rewinds to the courtroom drama that changed India’s legal history

The Kambatta Case unfolds in Rashomon style and, like facets of a prism, the characters reveal new shades at every turn.

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Smita Mazumdar as Rose & Sanjiv Desai as the lawyer Karl Khandelwala. (Source: Express Photo by Amit Mehra)

One day in 1959, a highly decorated and handsome naval officer grabbed a gun and shot dead his wife’s lover. The crime had all the elements of a Shakespearean tragedy — an aristocrat, a beauty, a playboy, adultery and blood. Called the Nanavati Case (after the accused KM Nanavati), it fired up the imagination of the people and of the main tabloid of the era, Blitz. Thousands attended public meetings to support Nanavati, women lined the route he would take to the court and hawkers sold Nanavati Revolvers and Ahuja Towels, inspired by the garment the victim Prem Ahuja was wearing during the murder. “I was four years old at the time but they were still talking about the case when I grew up,” says Delhi-based theatre director Feisal Alkazi. Two years ago, he began to write a play based on the event and called it The Kambatta Case. The first shows will be held at India Habitat Centre, Delhi, today and tomorrow. Further shows are planned at Epicentre, Gurgaon, on May 16 and 17.

“I think it was the first time that a murder case became such a sensation all over India. It is very interesting for the play’s cast that, when the name Nanavati comes up, all their parents immediately have a point of view,” says Alkazi. The case, in which Jawaharlal Nehru took an interest, had pitted Parsi and Sindhi communities against each other. In Alkazi’s version, the names of the central characters have been changed but not their communities — Nanavati becomes Kambatta and his British wife Sylvia is called Rose. The dead man, a Sindhi, becomes Jatin Ahuja.

The Kambatta Case unfolds in Rashomon style and, like facets of a prism, the characters reveal new shades at every turn. Rose, for instance, is not as uni-dimensional as Sylvia was depicted in Yeh Rastey Hain Pyar Ke (1963), with Leela Naidu in the role. “After all, she was involved in an affair with another man. There must have been something in the marriage, some backstory,” says Alkazi. Kambatta is played by Ashish Dhamija who, the director says, “has a nice combination of vulnerability and viciousness.”

Smita Mazumdar Rajaram is Rose with an air of sensuality, sexuality and vulnerability.

Outside the courtroom, Blitz carried on a trial by media. When actor Juggi Bhasin, who plays media baron Rusi Karanjia, yells that the “Nation wants to know”, we see modern journalism taking birth. History was also made in another crucial way. “This was also the last jury trial in India,” says Alkazi. As for the verdict, the audience will be divided — just as people were in 1959.

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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