Playwright:  Shah Faisal

Director: Mohd. Nisar Khan

Cast: Pratibha Sharma, Bakul Thakkar, Mohd. Nisar Khan, Amit Jairath, Mini Ribeiro, Pratik Kothari, Rajshri Deshpande

Language:  Hindi

 

Essay Communication’s ‘Lekin Phir Bhi’ takes its cue from honour killings which refers to the killing of a member of family or a social group by other members, due to the belief that he/she has brought dishonour upon the family or community.

 

The play is based in a village of Haryana where as per the Panchayat’s law, marriage between a girl and a boy of the same clan is forbidden. They are taken to be brother and sister. 

 

What happens when a girl and a boy from the same clan elope and get married? The brother of the girl is left with no choice but to kill them both. The couple is kidnapped and shot dead. But there is an eye witness who has seen it all, who has seen the murderer and is ready to speak against him. The murderer is politically influential and the witness Mona, an escort. Will Mona stand her grounds or will she succumb to political pressures? 

 

Lekin Phir Bhi brings to our attention a very serious issue but lacks in execution of the same. The beginning is impressive but as it progresses the scenes are stretched to the point that it gets boring. Mohd. Nisar Khan who plays a cop, mouths a few funny one liners but they too deviate from the issue making the play look like a comedy.

 

Pratibha Sharma portrays the sensuousness of an escort well and shines as a woman fighting against the corrupt system. Bakul Thakkar plays the spoilt son of a political leader and does justice to his role. Amit Jairath impresses as the old Haryanvi political leader trying to manipulate his defeat (as the uncle of a murderer) into a political victory.

 

The play has a great storyline but turns out to be a big disappointment in terms of dialogues and direction.