The saying ‘Old is Gold’ is proving true once again on the Marathi theatre stage. Some plays, no matter how old, always draw audiences back to them. Many classic productions continue to captivate theatre lovers and inspire directors and producers to revive them for a new generation. In this spirit, legendary writer PL Deshpande’s iconic play Sundar Mi Honar is set to return to the stage after thirty years, coinciding with Pulanchi Smrutidin (PL Deshpande’s remembrance day) and the birth centenary year of veteran writer Sunita Bai Deshpande.
Produced by Sawaigandharva and Abhijat, this play is directed by Rajesh Deshpande and marks the first-ever stage collaboration between talented actors Astad Kale and Shruja Prabhudesai. Their fresh pairing has sparked curiosity among theatre enthusiasts about the rest of the cast. The play, produced by Karan Desai and Akash Bhadsawale, recently had a grand muhurat ceremony in Mumbai, attended by veteran actor Padmashri Nayana Apte, Pul Deshpande’s nephew Jayant Deshpande, and seasoned actor Pradeep Velankar. They expressed their delight that PL Deshpande’s literary brilliance continues to enthrall younger audiences and extended their best wishes to the new cast.
Director Rajesh Deshpande shared his excitement about bringing timeless plays back to the stage, stating that Sundar Mi Honar is not just a nostalgic revival but also a play that offers thought-provoking insights.
On PL Deshpande’s 25th death anniversary and Sunita Bai’s birth centenary, the makers felt it was the perfect time to revive this masterpiece as a tribute to them
This production holds special significance, as Sundar Mi Honar was the only play in which PL Deshpande and Sunita Bai Deshpande acted together. On PL Deshpande’s 25th death anniversary and Sunita Bai’s birth centenary, the makers felt it was the perfect time to revive this masterpiece as a tribute to them. Producers Karan Desai and Akash Bhadsawale emphasized that this was the driving force behind their decision to stage the play.
Although Sundar Mi Honar is adapted from three English plays, PL Deshpande masterfully infused it with Maharashtrian culture and essence, making it even more special. The plot revolves around a helpless former princewhose princely state has recently been absorbed by the Indian government and his children, who struggle under his eccentric whims. However, beyond this simple storyline lies a deeper philosophical message.
The play’s music is composed by Milind Joshi, with set design by Sandesh Bendre, costumes by Mangal Kenkre, and management handled by Nitin Naik.
This classic is all set to enchant audiences once again!
