By M. Reyaz, TwoCircles.net
New Delhi: Mahesh Bhatt's upcoming play "Trial of errors" deals with ‘trust deficit’ among the Indian Muslim and revolves around the issue of agencies role regarding involvement of Muslim youth in terrorism.
Whenever any bomb blast occurs in the country, the finger in immediately pointed towards the Muslim community and without checking the facts they are picked up, humiliated and stuffed in jail. It is often the young generation who suffer this fate. Imagine their plight; at a time when they should be planning their future, they lose their innocence handcuffed under the tag of extremism.
“Trial of Error” revolves around a journalist Mohammad Rehan, on the lookout for truth of what is happening with the minority community in the country. His only fault is that he is one of ‘them.’ During the course of his investigation, he falls into a trap by the police and is embroiled in a vicious circle where the system puts him down on every single stride. The play captures his struggle to prove his innocence against the system that ultimately labels him a ‘terrorist.’ He is one of the lucky ones though who is eventually released.
Waryam Mast, Director of the play,Co-producer, Sandiip Kapoor, and lead protagonist Imran Zahid along with other crew members.
Bhatt had earlier co-produced a play “The last salute,” with Sandiip Kapoor based on the shoe throwing incident involving former US President George Bush by a journalist Muntadar Al Zaidi.
Speaking to TCN, co-producer, Sandiip Kapoor said, “Theater has immense potential in raising social issues and we thought it pertinent to deal with a relevant social issue that has created trust deficit in a whole community.”
In the form of narration, the play also tells the harrowing tales of torture they went through why in police custody, besides humiliation. In the play police asks the ‘pertinent’ question from Rehan, is religion more important for you or country. Almost to the comic effect the play also has a ‘patriotic’ Muslim officer, who heaps all sorts of allegations on him.
The play has a very interesting ending though, where in a rare soliloquy; a senior ‘sensitive’ police officer breaks down, lamenting the bloods in his hand and on his uniforms, giving the impression of Shakespearean tragedy.
When asked why a journalist has been made the central character, he quipped, “He can be anyone, but a journalist as he is trying to unearth realities himself.” One cannot stop comparing the main character with journalist Syed Mohammad Ahmad Kazmi or Deccan Herald journalist Muthi ur Rehman Siddqui, who has just been released in Bengaluru.
Another scene from the play, where senior police officer laments blood on his uniform.
Although based on ‘real life incidence,' instead of picking on any one case, the play weaves several cases to present a ‘fictionalized’ version, closer to truth. The play was conceived few months back, when the fate of Afzal Guru was still unclear. The play has a character who is awaiting decision on his mercy petition. At one place it also cites from the Apex Court judgment that wanted the man to be executed to ‘satisfy the conscience’ of the nation.
The media plays the diabolical role and virtually there is media trial of cases. Writer of the play, Rajesh Kumar, who also scripted the ‘The last salute,’ told TCN, “Media these days feed on stories leaked to them by security agencies and would not even pause to verify what is being broadcast…We have seen it time and again, without any lesson learnt.” He added that his play is inspired by many real life characters, particularly from one of his friend who is a Delhi based journalist. He said, “He once went to meet some senior official in a security agency, but he was made to sit and ‘softly interrogated’ for four hours.”
The rehearsal for the play is in full swing in the capital for its month end performance. It is being directed by three-time National award-winning playwright Waryam Mast, a leading theater personality.
Waryam Mast told TCN, “The play wants to send the message against labeling of whole community for the wrong doing of any individual.” He added that by raising the issues we want to invoke our audience to think in an attempt to find a solution.
Imran Zahid, practicing the role of journalist Mohammad Rehan, in presence of other crew members.
Delhi-based actor Imran Zahid, who had essayed the role of Muntadar Al Zaidi, will be seen playing the lead protagonist, journalist Rehan in “The Trial of Error.” Zahid said, “In both the plays I represent the angry young man of the ‘community’.”
Interestingly in both these play Zahid plays the character of a journalist. He, however, feels that although challenging, both characters are different as the “In Last Salute, it was based on the life of one person, while the character of Rehan is a fictionalized representation of many real life characters.”
The Trial of Error, which is scheduled to be staged on Friday, 29 March, 2013 at 7 pm at Shri Ram Center, Mandi House. It will also be taken to Mumbai , Kolkata, Lucknow , Chandigarh , Patna , Ranchi , Aligarh , Srinagar , Hydrabad , Banglore , Jammu , Pune and Dubai.