PANJIM: A change in the law will help decrease rape cases in our country and citizens will have the guts to proudly say ‘our country is great’. This is the message conveyed in the tiatr ‘Amcho Desh Mahan’ penned by Joaquim Dias and directed by Luis Santan de Melo.
The story revolves around Evita (Smital Hoble), who serves as a head nurse in a well-reputed hospital. When one of the employees Ruzar (Anket Hoble), tries to molest another nurse Sarita (Valencia Braganza), there is uproar in the hospital. The offender is humiliated by Evita in the presence of the remaining hospital staff.
When news spread that Dr Joywin (Branco Vales) wants to tie the knot with Evita, Ruzar steps forward to take revenge. He enters the hospital in disguise and rapes Evita.
Will Dr Joywin sympathize with his employee and his future life partner? Will Evita fight for justice or sit quiet over the episode to avoid humiliation and shame in society? Who assists the rape victim to nab the culprit? And how?
A sensitive issue of rape and assault haunting women has been handled diligently. For want of witnesses, several rape cases get pushed under the carpet, with the rape victim being victimized and the rapist running free. The writer has thrown light on how this malady can be treated, with severe punishment to the offender.
In the hospital, Branco Vales doles out a fine performance as the doctor, ably assisted by nurses Jane Rebelo and Valencia Braganza. Nikita Dias extends good support as a friend. Bento Vales as a patient and Milbon Viegas as the sweeper are comical in their respective acts. Sham Hoble as Evita’s father is expressive. But Smital and Anket Hoble take the cake for their respective bold characters and dialogue delivery.
With the help of prompt and timely light effects, the stage sets like the coffee shop, police station and the court room could have been made more impressive.
Candice Rodrigues and Agustine Mascarenhas’ solos, a duet by Victor D’Cunha and Aloma Dias, Chriselle and Chrisanne Mendes’ choral, Camilo Rodrigues, Chrisanne Rodrigues and Candice Rodrigues’ trio were appealing to the ears.
