Paresh Rawal, a treat to watch on stage play “Dear Father” in Dallas

It is very rare that a Hindi play is brought to the audiences of the South Asian community living thousands of miles away from home.

Only a select few are able to reach this part of the world.

However, my folks always rave about intense and captivating plays back home. I have always been a patron of good plays but miss out on it in my language here.

One such Hindi play ‘Dear Father ‘was staged in Dallas, TX on Sunday April 21^st 2013 in the grand Myserson Symphony Center. This auditorium in itself is a treat to be seated in to watch a play. ‘Dear Father’  is based on the award-winning play “Katkon Trikon” and was presented here by the ‘Chalak Group’ and  the Funasia Team.

Paresh Rawal’s play “Dear Father” produced by Swaroop Sampat & Directed by Dinkar is a satirical presentation of the interaction between two generations. How the generation gaps in this fast world has increased. To get each other’s attention and love, a lot of manipulation is required.  Each generation is justified in their ways but is getting distanced due to the fast and busy lifestyle.  This might be an everyday thing in every household but the way the drama presents the issue touches many souls. It is a meaningful lesson given in a hilarious as well as emotional way.

Paresh Rawal is a treat to watch in a double role, one of an aging father and the other of a suspicious police inspector, each completely different from the other. His acting and comic timing needs no validation. His presence grips the audiences for over three hours. Rawal  is already an established Bollywood actor with many valued  character roles played in movies like Hera Pheri, Malamaal Weekly, Paa, Garam Masala to name a few. Also starring in “Dear Father” is Mrinmayee Godbole and Chetan Dhanani as Rawal’s daughter in Law and Son respectively. They come through as very talented  actors.

In this part of the world we are exposed to the grandeur of a Broadway, or the Cirque du Soleil musicals. Of course there is no comparison of a stage drama to these majestic shows. The simplicity, with which a Hindi play touches our heart, it brings out the emotions that relate to our lifestyle and gives us a feel good factor. It took me down the memory lane and reminded me of the fine thread which bind the relationships back home.

Navneeta Khemka