A scene from the play
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Comedic timing
Prashant Damle and Vinay Yedekar in the play
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
Prashant Damle attributes the play’s enduring success to its sharp script, stellar performances, and impeccable comedic timing. Gela Madhav Kunikade, written by Vasant Sabnis and directed by the late Rajiv Shinde, follows the antics of Madhav Deshpande (played by Prashant), a medical representative juggling two wives — unaware of each other’s existence. As Madhav navigates this intricate web of deception, his friend (played by Vinay Yedekar) steps in to help, leading to a cascade of hilarious situations.
“The play presents a serious predicament in a brilliantly comedic way. Vasant Sabnis’ writing has captivated audiences for decades — there’s nothing that needs changing,” says Prashant, a former BEST (Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport) employee who left his job to chase his acting dreams.
Learning experience
Prashant Damle
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
Playing Madhav has been a learning curve for Prashant, who was still finding his footing in theatre when he took on the role in the 90s. Initially, he was puzzled by the audience’s roaring laughter at certain lines, only to later realise the subtle undercurrents of humour woven into the script. “It was both challenging and fascinating to uncover the nuances of the character. The play thrives on humour ‘between the lines,’ and with each performance, we discovered new layers of laughter,” he says.
With an astonishing record of 13,500 theatre shows to his name, Prashant’s passion for the stage remains unwavering. “Theatre is my lifeblood, and I truly enjoy every moment on stage,” reflects the 64-year-old actor on his four-decade-long career.
Tatvaa Arts present Gela Madhav Kunikade, a Marathi comedy play at Ravindra Bharathi, on February 21, 7pm; Tickets on bookmyshow.com
Published – February 20, 2025 06:22 pm IST
