Paul Joaquim Fernandes’ tiatr ‘Ami Sogllim Ek Zaunk Eta?’ revolves around situations of life and religious beliefs.
To bring in and foster communal harmony, Hindu and Catholic families accept an inter-religious son-daughter relationship. They extend support for the success of their marriage. But when one of two decides to follow a different path, resentment follows initially. But conviction and better sense prevails among the guardians, only to be destroyed by the member of a Hindu organization.
Katarin (Felcy Pereira) and Subhangi (Priscilla Mascarenhas) are close neighbours. They, along with the other members of the family, follow their respective religious customs and traditions with fervour.
Intimate relations of Sonia (Sonali) and Rohit (Sai Raj Kalangutkar) prompt Belinda (Bendit Fernandes) and Subhangi and other relations to gear up for the marriage preparations. But Rohit’s sudden change of mind comes as a thunderbolt from the blue.
Will both families accept Rohit’s life decision? What about Sonia? What thoughts convince her to extend support to her friend? From where does the opposition to Rohit’s decision come? What is its outcome?
In the Catholic family, if Felcy excels as Katarin aunty, in the Hindu household, Priscilla Mascarenhas dishes out a fine performance as Subhangi. They are ably assisted by Benedit Fernandes and Xavier de Maina as Vithal. Menino makes himself comfortable in the priestly robe.
Sonali Naik and Sai Raj Kalangutkar pair well as lovebirds and exchange sweet nothings with ease and confidence. Yeshwant Naik as Vishwanath garners attention for his bold stance and dialogue delivery. Bostiao (Riston Gomes), Santan (Joel Fernandses) and Santa Rita (Cassy Travasso) form a perfect trio for those comic moments on stage.
Stage sets depicting a Catholic and Hindu household with ‘tulsi’ at a corner deserve appreciation, but the light effects fail to create the necessary impact.
Except for some minor flaws in the acts, ‘Ami Sogllim Ek Zaunk Eta?’ is a good entertainer, with a message on communal harmony. Songs in between the acts, especially ‘Nachumia Kumpasar’ by Marques Pereira, ‘Cheddvam zaupachim dotor’ by Reema/Priscilla, ‘Patron’ by Xavier de Maina and a quartet on different trades were well accepted by the audience.
