A weak foundation does not make a strong country

Tiatr: Mera Bharat Mahaan

Cast: Pradeep Naik, Cajie de Curtorim, Alica, Pascoal Rodrigues, Filipe, Prakash Marathe, Cia, Jaju, Benny de Aldona, Selvy, Fiona, Jose de Velsao

Director: Comedian Agostinho

Band: Aden, Glen (trumpet), Casmiro (bass), Richard (keyboard), Jack (drums)

Story: Menino’s (Pascoal Rodrigues) only daughter Fiona (Alica), who wishes to pursue her engineering studies in Bangalore, is raped. Will the culprit be booked and punished?

The curtains rise to the flag hoisting ceremony on Independence Day. Speeches are presented by law minister Visvas Naik (Pradeep Naik), Sarpanch Zacharias (Cajie de Curtorim) and finally vote of thanks by social worker Antonio Moraes (comedian Agostinho). Although the officials speak about truth, the social worker exposes the duo on various issues.

The story revolves around the law minister and his only son Prakash (Prakash Marathe), and Menino, who earns his living and supports his family financially by taking up odd jobs. He is father to a son (Filipe), who is disabled, and a daughter, Fiona.

There is also the police officer Ivo Borges (Jaju), who lives with his smart looking daughter Samaria (Cia), who has returned from Bangalore after pursuing her studies.  

As Menino prepares to send his daughter to Bangalore for further studies, on the eve of her departure, she is raped. Menino is in trouble as he had availed bank loan through assistance from the minister.

Who has committed this heinous crime? Will Fiona be able to identify the culprit? Will the police inspector swing into action and punish the rapist? How is the crime dealt with, and what are the consequences? Will justice prevail at the end?

Comedian Agostinho’s tiatr ‘Mera Bharat Mahaan’ focuses on faulty laws that prevail in our country and the urgency of rectifying them for the benefit of the common man. It focuses on the common problem of rape and how it is handled by the authorities thereafter.

Pradeep Naik delivers well as the corrupt minister and he is ably assisted by Prakash Marathe as his happy-go lucky son. Pascoal wins as the sober father, who seeks justice for his daughter. Filipe and Alica are comfortable in their respective roles. Jaju is at ease as the PI while Cia attracts with her colourful outfits. Cajie de Curtorim delivers well as the sarpanch, while Benny de Aldona as the lawyer is good.

In the comic acts comedian Agostinho, Selvy, Fiona and Jose de Velsao entertain with some laughter pills, but Janet seems to falter in her perfect comical chemistry.

In the category of songs, Benny, Jaju and Cajie comes along for the opening song, followed by Pascoal, Benny, Cajie de Curtorim, Alica and Selvy for solos, Filipe and Alica for a duet, Benny and Cajie, Jaju and Selvy for duos, Fiona, Selvy, Filipe and Cia for a quartet and a trio by Fiona, Alica and Filipe for a trio.

Aden and team has provided good live music, while Ratna has handled the light effects efficiently.