Where language does not matter

Shekhar Suman talks about his role as Urdu poet Sahir Ludhianvi in the upcoming play Ek Mulaqaat and why television has lost the plot when it comes to content

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On a wintery evening in Delhi, two lovers meet. One is Urdu poet and lyricist Sahir Ludhianvi, and the other, Punjabi poet and writer Amrita Pritam. There is much the two have to talk about: she has a lot of questions to ask, and he, many answers to give. “During that evening, they rediscover their relationship and the story of their unrequited love unfolds,” says Shekhar Suman, who plays the role of Ludhianvi in the upcoming play Ek Mulaqaat , while Deepti Naval dons the role of Amrita. The play, which has been staged over 50 times across India, will be performed in the city this weekend.

“Love stories are far more exciting when they don’t have a happy ending. All the love stories that don’t have a happy ending — from Romeo and Juliet to Jack and Rose — are the ones that are most remembered,” says Suman. The Hindi play, interwoven with songs in Urdu and Punjabi by both poets, is one that portrays the depth, intensity and silences of the love between the two writers. “But language does not matter, because love has none,” he adds.

The two poets, legends in their own right, were likeminded. She was already married, but an outspoken woman who didn’t care for the norms of society. He was a complex person and a rebellious writer. About his character, Suman says, “There was an academic bonding that was a strong base for their love. But he was commitment-phobic: there is a point when he tells her, ‘If we were married, we would have drifted apart. Just staying apart gave us a reason to pursue creativity and preserve our individuality.’”

As the play unfolds, it reveals the lives and past of the lovers. “People who know of these poets would love to understand the complex nature of their relationship. It’s a layered and complex play, and the beauty comes out in the language,” says Suman. Though the actor identifies himself as a theatre artiste, saying that his roots are entrenched there, he adds that he only does plays when the role excites him. “I am drawn towards playing dark characters… An actor will have a lot more complexity to portray while essaying such a character.”

Suman, popularly known for his television roles in the 90s, says the medium is still a big part of his life. “Television explored my latent talents: I experimented with roles in Reporter, Andaz, Dekh Bhai Dekh . Over the years, however, with all its glamour and gloss, television has lost out on content. As the urban crowd moved to the Internet, the TV remote went to women in rural towns. It’s a tragedy that soaps have gone back by a hundred years; there’s black magic, ghosts and mythology, and that’s strange.”

Though he’s minimised his involvement in television, he says he’s still been appearing on the medium every day for the last 20 years. He’s currently seen on

Lights, Camera, Kissey , which narrates the untold stories of filmmaking on Sony Max 2. He’s also considering a new TV show offer, working on a film script, helping his son Adhyayan Suman with his next directorial project, and also touring with

Ek Mulaqaat . “I like to take life as it comes and say no to whatever doesn’t excite me.”

Ek Mulaqaat will be staged on June 17 (7.15 p.m.) at Sir Mutha Venkatasubba Rao Concert Hall. Tickets are priced at Rs.700, Rs.1000, Rs.1500 and Rs.2500 and available on www.bookmyshow.com. For details, call 9840109789.