Actors Arif Zakaria and Sonali Kulkarni play the roles of Guru Dutt and his wife Geeta Dutt to bring back the roaring 1950s and 60s of Hindi cinema
MISSISSAUGA: Brampton-based ARRA Arts is bringing the award-winning Hindi play Gardish Mein Taare (Stars in the Sky) to the city this month.
Directed by Saif Hyder Hassan and performed with Hindi with English subtitles, the musical play explores the turbulent times and relationship of Hindi cinema’s famous actor, director and producer Guru Dutt and his wife Geeta Dutt, spanning the fast-paced 1950s and 60s in Bollywood.
The play will be staged in Hammerson Hall of the Living Arts Centre at 8 pm on April 26.
Announcing this at a press conference, ARRA Arts CEO Anu Srivastava said, “ARRA Arts has and will always be dedicated to bringing high-caliber South Asian arts, music, and culture to Canada; in such a multicultural country, we want to bridge these cultural links and celebrate the diversity of Canadians.’’
Natalie Lue, CEO of the Living Arts Centre, added, “It is an absolute pleasure to be partnering with ARRA Arts for a second time after their resounding success bringing Broken Images to the Living Arts Centre last year, starring the outstanding Shabana Azmi, and we know this performance will be no different.”
Sonali Kulkarni and Arif Zakaria, the two actors playing Guru Dutt and his wife Geeta Dutt in the play, spoke to the audience via video from India, expressing their passion for their roles in Gardish Mein Taare.
“It is almost as if the characters and ourselves have become one; it doesn’t seem like we are portraying other people anymore, we have gotten so closely linked to these characters,” said Sonali Kulkarni.
Speaking about the strong connections between the story and the fast-paced era of Indian cinema in the 50s, 60s and 70s, Arif Zakaria said, “Those who have a cultural link to India will definitely feel connected to the music, the history, and the nostalgia.’’
According to director Saif Hyder Hasan, who has had many personal connections with Guru Dutt, “This performance is not meant to be biographical; it is heavily inspired by the lives of husband and wife, Guru and Geeta Dutt, but the way we tell their story is very personal and relatable to any audience.”
Not surprisingly, Gardish Mein Taare brings to life the poignant era of the 50s and 60s in Hindi films with its beautiful lyrics, music and stunning sets.
In fact, the play subtly shines light on the turmoil and inner conflicts that a husband and wife go through in a marriage when their careers and ambitions intrude on their relationship, by using fictional and real-life incidents in Guru Dutt’s life.
The audience is in for an entertaining evening.
Starting at $30, tickets for the play can be bought through the Living Arts Centre’s Box Office (905-306-6000) or online at www.livingartscentre.ca/theatre-performances/gardish-mein-taare. Discounts for groups of 10 or more are available by calling the Box Office.
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