What started out as a mildly uncomfortable meeting between strangers goes on to become a match of sorts of individual assertion (of views and opinions ). Eventually raw unadulterated malice is evident in the interactions between the four protagonists. When I coin the term protagonist I do wonder though If any of the four actors remain protagonists throughout the play...after all as each hollers his/her defenses and hurls mild(yet visibly pronounced ) insinuations at the others the straitjacketed definition of a protagonist does blur.
The play is a reiteration that the veneer of civilization can actually peel when conversations revolve around subjects that are far beyond the purview of small talk . The play at many levels is quite a profound reiteration of this. Humour however is the cementing factor of the play and yes the doses satisfy the audience both in terms of quantity and quality. The humour that spills throughout the play and simultaneously flows with the surging pitches of malice and vengeance somehow evades definition for a reason. It is fresh and unprecedented yet seems very relatable for a mature, discerning and sophisticated audience.
Ill will, desire to harm and offend intentionally all define the word Malice. The play has been aptly and intriguingly named We are Malic3 for all the four actors intermittently take turns to offend with sharp and snide remarks. This dark comedy attempted to unshackle the repressed insecurity, fear and prejudices in average human beings and the chaos those feelings can generate. The unwritten yet clear laws of human civilization often require people to steer the darker (but inherently natural) shades of their nature to the subconscious or even the unconscious and never really address it. However, this dark side often manifests itself in situations that trigger it. It is then that all attempts at conscious restraint often fail and the negative traits emerge in ugly proportions. A striking factor of the play is that the idiosyncrasies of all the four actors feel relatable and even endearing.
While the lighting, props and set were fully in sync with the plot the acting was marvellous. Manash Kumar Das who had made his acting debut with Double Trouble an English comedy was spectacular in his accent and dialogue delivery. He enacted almost each word with nuanced aplomb. While his facial expressions had the audience peeling in laughter his words were steeped in a kind of satire that could easily encourage some serious reflection among intellectuals and cynics. The character of Yash, a Mumbai based Punjabi corporate honcho, who visibly loves excesses and is not one for trivial matters is played to perfection by Manash.
Lima Das, the lead actress of the acclaimed film Aamis played the role of Aliya ( wife of Yash). Since it was their son Uttkarsh who was the offending child, Aliya was visibly anxious about an amicable closure. The brilliance of her acting glowed on screen for she was appropriately (in context to the script ) subtle and intense in intervening phases. However, the subtle and the intense in her delivery was seamless -a feat that only seasoned actors of Lima Das stature can achieve.
Chinmoy Chakravorty and Indrani Sinha Das played the role of Babla's parents-the child who was hurt with a stick by Utkarsh. Chinmoy in the role of Anand was effortless in his delivery. The audience gasped with laughter as his flaws and imperfections come toppling out one after the other as the play progressed. He seemed endearingly oblivious to the reactions of his wife Shoma, Yash and Alia. His simple unassuming ways made him grow on the audiences mind very naturally.
Indrani Sinha Das who plays the role of Shoma, Yash's wife provided the audience much food for thought (and laughter) by her continuous reiteration of why an amicable closure of the fight was necessary in their personal interests and in the larger interest of civilised society. Shoma is a stickler for ideals and perfections and oblivious to the fact that her own exacting standards and expectations at times translate to conflict (for herself and those around her). Anand and Shoma are a Bengali couple and Indrani has been successful in etching the typical Bengali nuances into her character.
We are Malic3 is Abinash Sarmas 79th directorial venture and the maiden production of Amber Enterprise.
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