The Interview - Play Review

Still from 'the Interview' by Akvarious Productions

Play: ‘The Interview’ by Akvarious Productions

Language: English

Duration: 80 minutes

Writer: Siddharth Kumar

Director: Akarsh Khurana

Cast: Karan Pandit, Kashin Shetty, Prerna Chawla, Siddharth Kumar & Adhaar Khurana

Rating: 6.2 / 10 (See Rating Chart below)

‘The Interview’ has received a lot of hype and accolades. However, the play does not come close to expectations. The story is, as the name suggests, about a job interview, which has several humorous and grim moments. When the candidate (Karan Pandit,) first enters the boss’ (Kashin Shetty) cabin, he is asked the most basic question ‘Tea or coffee’. But even this question is not as straight-forward as it sounds. The candidate is made to subject himself to a polygraph machine, and asked a series of questions. Every set of dialogues begins with the boss asking a seemingly regular question and then twisting the candidate’s responses. The line of inquiry leads to some embarrassing and intimate questions.

The candidate refuses to give up as he desperately needs the money (so much so that he is ready to orally gratify the boss). Occasionally, the boss leaves the candidate with a colleague and/or his secretary (Prerna Chawla) with whom the boss is having an affair.
Prerna Chawla often faces the audience and tidies herself up as if looking at a mirror. The emphasis on her attractive features is no doubt to make the audience relate to the Boss’s predicament. [Tip for tharki guys: Sit at the front seat, stage-right]

Karan Pandit and Kashin Shetty, both of whom won awards for their performance in this play, displayed an amateur-level of acting. Oddly, it was Adhaar Khurana, who had played a minor role, who delivered the most realistic performance.

There are many humorous moments and well-delivered punch-lines.The lighting, costumes and stage design were necessarily dull and grim, in accordance with the over-all theme. However, soundtrack was way off. The play starts with ‘Que Sera, Sera’ and even the music at the climax does not seem to fit.

In conclusion, you may skip this play. Character development was unrealistic. Script does not keep you glued to the seat and for that reason you will often find your attention being diverted. I think the Interview first came out when there was a depression in the quality of theatre. But there are many better plays out there, which you should rather watch.

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I hope you found this helpful. If you want me to review any other play/movie/event, please say so in the comments below.

Rating Chart:
1.0-2.9: Torture.
3.0-5.5: Waste of time.
5.6-6.9: Decent. But can be skipped.
7.0-7.9: Good. 
8.0-8.6: Great! Don't miss it.
8.7-10:  You can miss the birth of your child for this. This is a greater miracle.

Gandhi - the Musical - Review

Play: 'Gandhi - The Musical'

Writer & Director: Danesh Khambata

Cast: Chirag Vohra, Nivedita Bautiyal, Abhishek Krishnan, Nishi Doshi & about 20 others.

Featuring: Voice of Boman Irani

Rating: 8.1 / 10 (See Rating Chart below)

I was fortunate to be invited to the opening night of 'Gandhi - The Musical'. Actor Boman Irani opened the play. Mr. Tushar Gandhi was also present to watch this work of art.

'Gandhi - The Musical' tells the well-known story of Bapu in the most heart-warming way possible. The play starts with a young Mr. Gandhi (played by Abhishek Krishnan) entering South Africa and ends with the tragic assassination of the Mahatma  (older version of Mahatma Gandhi played by Chirag Vohra).

The first half is not only colourful and musical, but also has some rather comical moments. There is a court-room scene which is one of the high-lights of the play. The second-half is emotional and dramatic, but Gandhiji's witty remarks and conversations with the British-Raj (personified by the voice of Boman Irani) provide some comical relief.

Although the play does depict Gandhiji's involvement in the freedom struggle, the more emotional and dramatic scenes are those from his personal life and conversations with family and close friends. 

The music and lyrics are to be applauded and blend well with the style of story-telling. The characters act, sing, dance and several times during the course of the play, do all those while walking around the audience's seating area, giving one the impression that one has actually witnessed the freedom struggle first hand.

The set up and props are elaborate and detailed. The play has a huge cast of over twenty. Abhishek Krishnan's acting is commendable. 

In short, if one wishes to see a Broadway style musical in Mumbai, one should rush to watch this gem. For a musical of this scale, timing is crucial, and the actors, stage hands and all those involved, delivered. No Indian can watch the play without feeling patriotic and proud.

Do watch the same as soon as possible: https://in.bookmyshow.com/plays/gandhi-the-musical/ET00043919

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I hope you found this helpful. If you want me to review any other play/movie/event, please say so in the comments below.

Rating Chart:
1.0-2.9: Torture.
3.0-5.5: Waste of time.
5.6-6.9: Decent. But can be skipped.
7.0-7.9: Good. 
8.0-8.6: Great! Don't miss it.
8.7-10:  You can miss the birth of your child for this. This is a greater miracle.