People who know the Hindu Almanac would surely know of Rahu kalam , a time considered inauspicious. Well, here is a hero named after Rahu , who according to astrology had swallowed the sun causing eclipses.
“According to the story, the hero was born during a solar eclipse and thus was named so. The baby starts talking to family members immediately and after that strange things begin happening in the household,” explains actor-director S.Ve. Shekher, who is presenting the latest version of his play One More Exorcist after 37 years.
Fresh jokes, new music
“It is a parody on horror films. It was written when the film Exorcist was running. Though the story line remains the same, we have cut down time, infused fresh jokes and made new background music,” explained the actor, whose troupe Nataka Priya is currently practising for the play. “When I did Crazy Thieves in Palavakkam , many in the audience asked for this play to be staged,” he said.
The play was written by Crazy Mohan and some scenes including the climax were penned by K.K. Raman and actor-director Visu. It was in 1979 that the play was released when Tamil theatre was vibrant and there was heavy competition among troupes.
“I had been to watch the rehearsal of the play along with a friend. When it was time for the interval, Shekher announced that the play had come to an end. We first thought it was a joke. But he said Mohan was unable to complete it as he was busy. I asked Shekher and Mohan if they had any objection if I wrote the second half and I did it overnight. The troupe practised it the next day and it hit the stage the day after that,” recalled Mr. Visu, who was not given any credit for his part in the play then.
“Shekher’s father brought me the entire collection and told me to take anything I wanted. I only took a rupee from that. Instead I told him to give me something to remember and he gave me a almirah that I had for several years,” he added. One More Exorcist will be staged at Narada Gana Sabha under Kartik Fine Arts banner from Wednesday (May 24) at 7 p.m.
