Director : Vijay Kenkre
Writer : Shweta Pendse
Group : Royal Theatre, Mumbai, Maharshtra
Language : Marathi
Duration : 120 mins
Date : 14 Feb. 2025
About Paly :- “38 Krishna Villa” is a thought-provoking play that delves into the complexities of human relationships, literature, and the blurred lines between reality and fiction. Written by Dr.Shweta Pendse, the play revolves around the intense and emotional conversation between two characters, Nandini Chitre and Devdutt Kamat, which unfolds over two hours.
The play begins with Nandini’s literary accusation against Devdutt, a renowned writer, which sparks a heated debate between the two. As the conversation progresses, the audience is drawn into the intellectual and emotional twists and turns of their lives. Despite their differences, the two characters engage in a continuous dialogue, revealing their life stories and intertwining time and space.
Overall, “38 Krishna Villa” is a masterpiece of contemporary Marathi theatre, offering a thought-provoking and emotionally charged experience that will leave audiences pondering the complexities of human relationships and the power of literature..
About Playwrights :-
Shweta Pendse, a talented playwright, theatre is not just a passion, but a way of life. Her latest play, 38 Krishna Villa, has been making waves in the theatre circuit. 38 Krishna Villa is a unique play that breaks away from traditional Marathi theatre. It is a real-time, two-character dialogue play that explores the complexities of human relationships. The play has received rave reviews from audiences and critics alike, and Shweta’s writing has been praised for its nuance and depth.
In conclusion, Shweta’s journey as a playwright is a testament to the power of theatre to inspire, educate, and entertain. Her play, 38 Krishna Villa, is a must-see for anyone who lovestheatre, and her future projects promise to be just as exciting and innovative. As we look tothe future of theatre, talented playwrights like Shweta will continue to push the boundariesof the medium, challenging us to think, feel, and imagine in new and exciting ways.
About Director :- Vijay Kenkre is an Indian director and actor. With a prolific career, he hasmade a significant impact on the Indian theatre scene. As a director, Kenkre has an impressive repertoire of over 110 plays to his credit. From his early days directing Shakespeare’s Othello in Marathi to his later forays into comedy with works by Neil Simon and Sai Paranjape, Kenkre emphasizes the inherently collaborative nature of theatre. He stresses that a theatre performance comes alive thrice: when the playwright scripts the play, when the director interprets the script, and finally, when the play is presented to the audience.In addition to his theatre work, Kenkre has also made appearances in films. His moviecredits include Hawa Hawaee (2007), Gola Berij (2012), and Bhai – Vyakti Ki Valli (2019),directed by Mahesh Manjrekar and many more. Kenkre’s contributions to Indian theatre andcinema are a testament to his dedication, creativity, and enduring passion for the arts.
Director’s Note:- 38 Krishna villa – The story line of this play was narrated to me by Dr. Shweta Pendse a few years ago. I liked the story line, but I couldn’t imagine how it would transform into a play. So, I told Shweta to write the complete play, and then we would discuss it. A considerable amount of time passed, and Shweta and I didn’t discuss the play much. The topic had slipped from my mind, and suddenly during the COVID period, Shweta surprised me by sending the complete play for me to read. I immediately started reading it.
In the play “38 Krishna villa,” there are only two characters: Devdatt Kamat and Nandini Chitre. The play appears to be about the conflict between them, as they stand against each other. However, this is just the starting point; the play encompasses much more than that.
Speaking about the structure of “38 Krishna villa,” the play is continuous, meaning it is a single-act play. Given its theme, it should be structured this way. The play is word-centric and also about ‘written words’, meaning it is about literature.
I realized that staging this play and determining its form is challenging, meaning it is an arduous task. The term “conceptual director” used by Amol Palekar came to mind. Staging this single-act play and performing it is very difficult. Bringing the characters of Devdatt Kamat and Nandini Chitre to life was a significant challenge for the actors. I needed two actors who could speak excellent Marathi. There was no question about who Nandini would be because the writer herself is an excellent actress, and her nature and personality suit Nandini’s perfectly. Therefore, the casting of Nandini was done as a good actress, not just because she wrote the play. During the rehearsal process, her being a writer was beneficial to me, and perhaps to her as an actress. Now, the question was who would play Devdatt. While thinking about it, Dr. Girish Oak came to mind. Although “38 krishna villa” is a single-entry play, I made small segments of it. There are discussions between Nandini and the other character. The nature of these discussions varies; sometimes they are accusatory, sometimes explanatory, and sometimes related to the creative process. To achieve the desired effect, I made such segments in the first act. The structure of the second act is different, so its nature changes. There was a lot of discussion during rehearsals about how the characters would be, how they would speak, and how they would walk. Without seeming awkward anywhere, the character confidently presents his point and convinces the other person.
About Group :-
Our drama group is a dynamic and creative collective of individuals passionate about storytelling and performance. We come together to explore the world of theatre, developing our skills in acting, directing, and playwriting.
Our mission is to:
– Provide a platform for self-expression and creativity
– Foster teamwork and collaboration among members
– Develop confidence and public speaking skills through performance
– Produce high-quality, engaging productions for our community
Through rehearsals and performances, we delve into various genres, styles, and themes. Our group
values:
– Inclusivity and respect for diverse perspectives
– Support and encouragement for individual growth
– Creativity and experimentation in our craft
– Fun and enjoyment in the process
Cast And Credit :-
- Writer:- Dr. Shweta Pendse
- Director:- Vijay Kenkre
- Backdrop:- Sandesh Bendre
- Lighting:- Sheetal Talpade
- Music:- Ajit Parab
- Costumes:- Mangal Kenkre
- Makeup:- Rajesh Parab
- Hairstyling:- Sandhya Kharat
- Assistant Directors:-
– Sushil Swami
– Dhanesh Potdar
- Assistant Producer:- Utkarsh Mehta
- Backdrop Creation:- Praveen Gawli and Group
- Lighting Equipment:-
– Vilas Humane
– Gajendra Vani
– Vedant Arts
- Lighting Assistants:-
– Tushar Amberkar
– Arun Jaiswal
- Music Arrangement:- Nitin Pawar, Vikrant Waze, Akash Shirke
- Costume Department:- Vikas Mhatre
- Stage Management:- Atish Pawar, Haridas Lohar
- Advertising Concept:- Akshar Shede
- Anchor:- Shrikant Tatkare
- Producer:- Mihir Gawli
- Cast Introduction:-
– Nandini Chitre played by Dr. Shweta Pendse
– Devdatt Kamat played by Dr. Girish Oak
- Written by:- Dr. Shweta Pendse
- Directed by:- Vijay Kenkre
- Produced by:- Royal Theatre
