BENGALURU: Ask any writer and he will tell you that writing is a profession of anguish and frustration, unless of course you are done with the piece.
Charting a tale of tribulation of two writers’ and their journey towards writing another novel, following a bestseller is Hasnain Shaikh’s play “Between Best Sellers”.
The comedy-drama is about two brothers -- Ashish and Rohan-- who are working on their book and dealing with the pressure of keeping up with the success of their first best seller.
“I have been wanting to write a story about a writer for a while now,” says Hasnain. “I thought I would comply with the whole adage about how you should write what you know about. It took me two months to write the script,” adds the 23-year-old.
The play is being presented by Natak Nation, an extension of the Bangalore School of Speech and Drama that will serve as a wing dedicated towards theatre for adults.
He says that he wrote the story inspired by his own instances during the performances of his previous play Cardamom. “Cardamom was a smashing success. It was during these times that I set about writing my next play about dealing with the pressure of writing the next bestseller,” says the young director.
The play has comedy and drama that arises from sometimes heartbreaking, twists and turns. “The story initially revolves around the first book, which is basically Godfather in the Indian context. When the brothers start with the second book, they are hassled by goons characterised by the first book on being outed,” explains Hasnain.
Soon, dealing with thugs, thieves, corruption, angry girlfriends and successful colleagues, makes it difficult for the brothers to get off the writer’s block.
“It is a drama, fit bit of comedy because that is just my style of writing,” he says.
Hasnain is the writer, director and also plays the role of the younger brother Rohan in the play. “Rohan is fun, single, up beat and flirtatious, unlike his older brother Ashish. He is the one flirting with the editor and his naivety infused in the persona is something I relate to,” says Hasnain.
Actor, anchor and voice-over artist Mohan Ram plays the older brother Ashish in the play. “I was excited by the original story line and it is refreshing to read a new piece of writing. A lot of people will relate to this story,” says Mohan.
The actor adds that before playing the role, he studied the layers to his character as to what Ashish’s response would be in certain situation and his body language. “Ashish has quit his job and is also dealing with a break up. While Rohan is the cool kid who doesn’t give a damn, Ashish comes with a sense of added responsibility. However, the humour comes off from him taking himself too seriously,” says Mohan.
At the age of 23, this is Hasnain’s third play. “I have garnered the support of my peers over the years with my work. It was previously unavoidable to escape the eye of those who saw me as a kid, but today people are comfortable with being directed by a younger one. They trust me and believe in my vision,” says Hasnain.
Watch brothers Ashish and Rohan set off on a journey to write their next best seller, while being haunted by their editor, deadlines and the pressures of success.
When: May 19, 20, 8 pm and May 21, 3 pm and 6.30 pm
Where: Jagriti Theatre, Whitefield