Bollywood classic 'Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi' to be recreated on stage

Children from the Salaam Bombay Foundation Theatre Academy at a rehearsal in Charni Road. Pics/Datta Kumbhar

Asâu00c2u0080u00c2u0088we tiptoe into the Marathi Sahitya Sangh auditorium where rehearsals for a new play staged by the Salaam Bombay Foundation Theatre Academy are on, the set-up feels professional, given the number of children involved and the fact that it is the organisation's first large-scale performance. There are nails being hammered into wooden boxes outside the auditorium and planks being painted back stage, but the actors seem unfazed. The children are reinventing the classic multi-starrer, musical comedy Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi on stage.

While the premise seems familiar, we are surprised as a young actor takes out a cell phone and mouths dialogues into it. "It's a modern take on the classic. The script has been written by National Award-winning screenwriter Ashok Mishra. The adaptation is brilliant. We have tried to retain the soul while making it relevant to today's audience," says director Chittaranjan Tripathi, who has plays like Taj Mahal Ka Tender to his credit. He is working with the NGO for the first time.

Director Chittaranjan Tripathi (centre) with the actors

The production also features the talent of graduate students of the academy who continue to be associated with Salaam Bombay Foundation in professional theatre. Most of them, like the young kids in the play, have studied in municipal schools in the city where the environment deprives them of opportunities, creative spaces and personal attention. Senior trainer of the Salaam Bombay Foundation Theatre Academy, Sachin Jadhav, who is busy getting the students organised backstage, takes a quick break to tell us about the origin of the idea.

"We wanted the students to do a full-length play which would give their talent a much-needed platform. The idea was to do keep it entertaining and fun. We considered classics like Hayavadana but we felt it's the first play, and the kids should try something simpler. We thought, as films get adapted from theatre, why not try the reverse. Jodha Akbar first came to mind but it's ambitious; yet it remains in our plans. Then the idea of Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi emerged as it is funny, light and musical, and allows scope for many children to be involved," says Jadhav. "We were looking for someone who could understand the capacity and talent of the children. Ashok ji teaches theatre to children. He also has a film and NSD background, which worked."

Fifty actors and dancers along with 20 backstage hands have been rehearsing for over 45 days. Sets were designed by Jayant Deshmukh of Maqbool and Rajneeti fame. While the script took over a month to be drafted, matching schedules of the kids was challenging.

"We listed the actors with their college and school timings, and tried to work out the rehearsal schedules. We did home visits and arranged meetings with parents, to ensure their support. The girl who plays Madhubala's character in the film, got dengue, and we couldn't rehearse for ten days," informs Jadhav as a giant white screen is placed on stage and the song Ek Ladki Bheegi Bhaagi Si plays softly on someone's phone. "The production has been difficult as we are using multimedia, with three projectors that will show clips. The videos have been shot with the actors themselves," says Tripathi, adding that it's easier, to work with children because they don't have pre-conceived notions and are very open to his direction.

Madhubala and Kishore Kumar in Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi

We notice the young actors mouth lines and improvise on the spot when the director requests a change in movement. The casting appears to be a big draw. "When I meet my actors I request them to attempt the roles that interest them. I don't go by casting, based on looks. I ask co-actors who they like the most in a role," shares Tripathi. "The children have been sincere to the organisation, the script and their work despite the odds, apart from keeping up with school and exams," he adds. The two-hour ten-minute play features golden hits like Ek Ladki Bheegi Bhaagi Si, Babu Samjho Ishare and Paanch Rupaiyya Bara Aana in the voices of Shaan and Neeti Mohan. The tunes remain the same while the orchestration has been altered a little.