Gopal Datt will narrate Harishankar Parsai’s ‘Ek Film Katha’, a satire on run-of-the-mill Hindi cinema that hilariously revisits the cliched plot of a gallant hero, a heroine in distress and a villain who wants to nip a love story in the bud. Vineet Kumar will narrate Manto’s ‘Mammad Bhai,’ the tale of a Robin Hood-like gangster who is very proud of his dagger and his moustache. One day, however, circumstances force him to give up both and the audience is left wondering if Mammad Bhai will ever be the same.

The stories are part of Zee Theatre’s promise of ‘Har Din Naya Drama’ and will be premiered at Tata Play Theatre on 19th March at 2 pm & 8 pm.

Director Seema Pahwa says, “To put together ‘Koi Baat Chale’ with Zee Theatre has been an incredible journey and these two stories end the anthology on a perfect note. ‘Ek Film Katha’ and ‘Hammad Bhai’ reveal how these stories were unique in their own manner.

Harishankar Parsai and Manto tapped into popular culture to show us different aspects of society. Gopal and Vineet were the perfect choices as they brought their own touch to these stories. I am sure the audience will really enjoy the little nuances they have brought through their narrations.”

Gopal Datt, an NSD alumnus and theatre enthusiast who is also part of TV and OTT shows says, “Parsai’s humour in ‘Ek Film Katha’ is penetrating and relatable. Being a trained theatre actor, initially, the film plots did seem a bit far-fetched to me. But when I started narrating, I felt they have a certain enjoyable energy that takes the audience along with it. I enjoyed narrating this story because it reminded me of films from the 80s that we enjoyed despite their flaws, the random song sequences, and the mandatory fight sequences.”

Actor Vineet Kumar, a notable NSD alumnus, who is well-known for his roles in movies like Masaan, says, “What is fascinating about ‘Mammad Bhai’ is that Manto wrote it in 1956, much before Mumbai Noire became popular. ‘Mammad Bhai’ is a gangster and could be the template for similar characters that came much later in our films and OTT shows. He is also a fascinating human even though he is a criminal. Narrating this story was truly enthralling and am thrilled that Zee Theatre is reviving such timeless stories for the current generation to enjoy.”

The post In Zee Theatre’s ‘Koi Baat Chale’, the actors read ‘Mammad Bhai,’ and ‘Ek Film Katha’! first appeared on Latest News, Breaking News, National News, World News, India News, Bollywood News, Business News, Politics News, Sports News, Entertainment News - CineBuster.

Shailja Kejriwal, Chief Creative Officer – Special Projects, ZEEL, says, “I believe stories carry with them a powerful and unifying force. ‘Idgah’ and ‘Gulli Danda’ are two such poignant tales that transcend the socio-religious divide, making them important stories to be heard in the prevailing social scenario. Premchand’s writings have subtle humanism showing how little acts of empathy and generosity can make the world a better place. These stories have been a part of our collective consciousness and Zee Theatre is passionate about preserving the rich legacy of subcontinental literature for the new generation. After the love and warmth that Manoj Pahwa and Sadiya Siddiqui’s narrations of Saadat Hasan Manto’s ‘Toba Tek Singh’ and ‘Hatak’ received, I am sure these two literary gems will also move and stir the audience.”

‘Idgah’ revolves around four-year-old orphan Hamid, who decides to gift something special to his grandmother Amina on Eid. The story depicts how tenderness and love can transcend even the harshest of circumstances and how a young child, who himself lives amid great deprivation has the capacity to think about the struggles of his grandmother.

Talking about his story Idgah, actor Vinay Pathak says, “I have a very deep connection with ‘Idgah’ because I love this story, it was a part of my school and college curriculum and now I have a chance to revisit it and narrate it. I also shared a very close relationship with my grandparents and this is why this story has a great personal significance for me as well. To say that today we are losing out on the legacy of storytelling that was once such a big part of our ethos, would be an understatement but I hope, ‘Koi Baat Chale’ will remind the younger generation of the beauty of Indian literature. I am glad that Zee Theatre is ensuring that such timeless stories are never forgotten.”

‘Gulli Danda’ on the other hand is about a successful engineer who returns to the village where he spent his childhood and reconnects with an old friend who was the champion of the Gulli Danda club. A game ensues between the two and what follows surprises everyone.

Actor Vivaan Shah who narrates ‘Gulli Danda’ says, “My parents have staged multiple stories by Ismat Chughtai, Saadat Hassan Manto, Munshi Premchand, Harishankar Parsai, Krishan Chander and other luminaries of Indian Literature, and I have grown up with their beautiful stories that are about social realities as well as fundamental human truths. This story, though not overly dramatic or full of flourishes, very subtly etches how the humblest amongst us are the most big-hearted and can make gestures that are overwhelmingly generous. It was a pure delight to immerse myself in this story.”

Watch these timeless stories – Idgah and Gulli Danda at Tata Play Theatre and Tata Play Mobile App on 22nd January at 2 pm & 8 pm.

The post Vinay Pathak and Vivaan Shah to read Munshi Premchand’s classic tales ‘Idgah’ and ‘Gulli Danda’! first appeared on Latest News, Breaking News, National News, World News, India News, Bollywood News, Business News, Politics News, Sports News, Entertainment News - CineBuster.