Zinia Sen, TNN, Jun 17, 2012, 12.00AM IST
Kaushik
Sen's tryst with “Macbeth" left him with a dilemma of Shakespearean
proportions. The play that debuted to a full house on May 29, had its second
show on June 14. But theatre lovers, who attended both, were in for a surprise.
After becoming the king, Malcolm who addresses his coterie of men with "Dosh
bochhorer kaj dosh diney
kore felte hobe" — a line that's similar
to the latest political punchline — was left out of the second stage act. Is
political pressure to be blamed for this?
Filmmaker Sharon Dutta,
who attended both shows, says, "When Malcolm uttered the dialogue, I
remember the audience breaking into a huge round of applause. I was thoroughly
disappointed to watch the second show. More so, because the play comes from the
stable of Swapnasandhani. From "Winkle Twinkle" to "Ruddhasangeet", political
criticism has found its way on stage. I sincerely want this tradition to
continue."
Ask Kaushik if political
pressure made him change the climax of "Macbeth" and
he explains that it was more of a well-thought out decision. "We got a
huge response for "Macbeth". And the line was much
talked about. But after the first show, playwright Ujjal Chattopadhyay
expressed serious concern," says Kaushik.
A government employee, Ujjal reportedly feared his job might be
at stake and that made Kaushik rethink his decision on carrying the line.
"It has not been penned by Ujjal. It was something I incorporated. But
it's not possible for me to clarify that at every show. At the same time, I do
not want to make Ujjal the scapegoat. That he fears losing his job is itself
nothing short of alarming."
Fair is foul, didn't the Bard mention already?
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