The flip side of Ramayan

Puneet Issar, who immortalised the role of Duryodhan in B.R. Chopra’s Mahabharat, will reprise the role of Raavan for an upcoming play. Titled Raavan ki Ramayan, the play attempts to give its audiences a parallel perspective of the timeless epic. Issar, who plays the iconic Raavan, doesn’t look at it as a negative role. In fact, he doesn’t think he ever plays ‘antagonists’. “I like to believe I play tragic heroes — characters that are torn between the good and bad, the black and the white.”

Raavan Ki Ramayan is a re-look at history through the perspective of Raavan, a king of a prospering kingdom who is outraged at the ravaged modesty of his sister and sets out for revenge. “What intrigued me about Raavan’s character is the question why did he falter. He was a wise man and a revered king — why did he need to go out of his way ” Puneet says.

Writer and director of the play, Atul Satya Koushik informs us that the play was in the making for the past four years. “The subject research took a long time since there is a lot of literature available on this subject. It took me over a year and a half to write the play, which is all in verses. The play is basically a two-hour long poem.”

So, is Raavan Ki Ramayan like Vayam Rakhshamah, Asura: Tale of the Vanquished, Ravana or other popular books that rediscover Ramayan through the perspective of Raavan

Atul believes he portrays the women differently. “When one goes to see a Ram Leela, almost every time, it is a shoddy affair. In Raavan Ki Ramayan, we have paid a great deal of attention to the women characters. Sita isn’t seated in Ashok Vatika crying, waiting on Ram, Mandodari is shown as more than just a woman whose husband falls for someone else.”

Issar says, “We also attempt at bringing out the reason behind Surpanakha’s avatar. She wasn’t conventionally beautiful and had to change her looks in an attempt to entice Ram. But did she have to bear the insult that followed Probably not. There is nothing wrong with falling for someone.” The play will take place today and tomorrow, 8 pm onwards, At Rang Sharda, Bandra Reclamation, Bandra (W) and Sophia Auditorium, Sophia College Campus, Breach Candy Tickets Rs 300 onwards