REVIEW – AAMNE SAAMNE

A few weeks ago, I had a chance to watch the marathi play “Aamne Saamne” and I’m so glad I did! I was actually scrolling on a ticketing platform for film tickets and saw this play listed for the coming weekend. And I straight away booked the tickets even without asking the husband his availability! I had seen the promos of this play and also the chemistry of the young actors had created quite an impact on me when I saw their content on their social media accounts! It was the perfect way to spend a Sunday evening!

The play is about 2 couples – Neelima – Anant and Sahil – Sameera. Neelima and Anant, played by Leena Bhagwat and Mangesh Kadam have been married 38 years and own 2 apartments in a building. Since their only son lives in the US, they decide to rent the spare apartment to a newly married couple – Sahil and Sameera played by Rohan Gujar and Ketaki Vilas. What Neelima and Anant don’t know is that Sahil and Sameera are in fact not married but in a live-in relationship. How does this matter? Well, it matters because that’s what the play is all about. The entire play is about the intricacies of a relationship. Whether you are married for almost 4 decades or have been together just for a year, what you feel for your partner, how well you know them, how well you communicate, how you care for each other and take into consideration your partners feelings and thoughts and opinions decides what your relationship is all about.

The play is written and directed by Neeraj Shirwaikar – the same guy who has written “The Perfect Murder”. And this time too the writing is so crisp and the direction is flawless. The first act has the senior couple narrating the play and showing us the dynamics of the younger couple while the second act has the younger couple showing us the ups and downs of the senior couple. What I loved about the direction is that the actors interact with the audience and make us feel a part of the performance. And even though it’s all scripted, it is executed so subtly that it truly engages the audience. We know it’s a play, the actors know it’s a play and yet it does not feel staged. This is what sets part this play and this director. Also a sensitive subject as this is handled so perfectly that the whole play feels so balanced. The punchlines and the acting have us rolling in out seats with laughter and yet the serious parts leave us evaluating the values and beliefs that we have built our own relationships on.

All four actors have done a fabulous job. Leena Bhagwat and Mangesh Kadam are masters at their craft while Rohan Gujar and Ketaki Vials‘s acting is on point. Having said that Leena Bhagwat steals the show with an endearing portrayal of her character. Her comic timing is impeccable and her ability to switch from the comedy aspect to the serious or sad is truly a mesmerising.

I rate this play a 10/10. A total must watch! [There is some foul language used in the dialogues so I don’t recommend you take young kids for this.]
I watched the play at Mahakavi Kalidas Kalamandir, Nashik and you can watch it here too. There is a show happening on 2nd April and you can either book your tickets NOW on this ticketing platform or at the counter starting 29th March! Cancel your Sunday plans because this is the best way to spend your Sunday evening! I promise you, you will not regret it!

I rate it a 9/10 and is a MUST WATCH! Look out for their upcoming shows on their Instagram page and on BookMyShow!

To watch the review of this play, check out the reel on Reviewed.onreels!