The line Jawani aur tajurbe ki ye takkar hai (It is a tussle between youth and experience) pretty much describes Rangbaaz’s Bade Miyan Deewane , an adaptation of Shaukat Thanvi’s novel Budhbas.
A love quadrangle thanks to Shaukat, who is close to almost every character in the play, involves humour, with the right pinch of envy, greed, anger and love. Director Imran Rasheed, plays the protagonist, Meer Sahab. A rich, eccentric octogenarian, Meer hates his son, keeps a gun ready and has a weakness for women half his age.
Gulab and Heera Bai fight for his attention which is diverted to his neighbour, Sheikh Inaayatullah’s daughter Suraiyya, who in turn is in love with Meer’s son Tabish. Trouble starts when Meer asks for Suraiyya’s hand.
Shaukat is not a negative character. He is genuine, witty, and knows what to say to who and when. He is the link between Meer Sahab, Inaayatullah and Tabish.
There is also Chilla, Meer’s long-serving help. He gets angry very easily and is the sources of many humorous moments in the play. The tea stall at the corner serves as an important junction where plots and plans are laid out.
Those who have read Thanvi’s novel might find differences in the adaptation.
Beautifully sung songs by the Megha Sriram and team adds to the charm of play. Imran has successfully adapted the novel while maintaining the Mughal sentiments.
