If some one doesn’t treat you right, you should have enough respect for yourself to leave them. But, what would the older people do, if their children keep tossing them from one place to other. We have seen this happen in popular Bollywood film ‘Baghbaan’. New Marathi play written by Ashok Patole and directed by Purushottam Berde, shows the plight of a older widow (Rohini Hattangadi) , who has been brought by her younger son, to her old place, where his brother and sister in law live. Her younger son and his wife live at a different locations. Both these places have been provided to them by her late husband, who was holding a very high position in a big company.

Both her sons ( Rupersh Patole & Siddhesh Shelar) do care for their mother; but in presence of their wives( Surbhi Bhave & Yogini Chouk), they listen to whatever their wives say. So, in short, the mother is not happy at both the places, as she has become a burden for the wives of two sons. The younger son drops her mother to his elder brother’s house, only because he wants his own mother to say something in the documentary on ‘Indian Mothers’ being made by him. In comes a slim and fit old lady of her age (Manda Desai) , who is also mother of her elder daughter in law. She suggests to her daughter’s mother-in- law to remain fit like her.

The real drama begins, when both the daughters in law are together, and there are some exchange of words, which turns into a physical handling of their mother-in-law. This particular scene shows, to what extent some of the daughters in law can go, when it comes to confronting the elders. But, the old lady is smart enough to turn the tables on her both daughters in law. In the post interval session, there is a sudden twist and we find the change in attitude of both the daughters in law. Obviously, for the share of property. Even both the sons now insist on their mother to stay with them, to please her. But the old mother has a different game plan to teach a lesson to her daughters in law; only to conclude the play with happy ending.

Rohini Hattangadi, who has returned to stage after so many years, is simply superb, through her performance. The way she walks with a stick, her emotions, her body language, everything could be noticed very clearly, through her dialogue delivery. She gets a loud applause at her entry on stage, which speaks everything. In the roles of both the daughters in law Surbhi Bhave and TV star Yogini Chouk have played their negative roles, with total conviction, to make the confrontation with their mother in law, look more effective. In the roles of two sons, Rupesh Patole and Siddhesh Shelar look suitable. Manda Desai brings in some humour, through her amusing character. In short, the performances of all the artistes, are brilliant, indicating an excellent team work.

The sound and light effects have been used well, to present seriousness in some of the sequences. Writer Ashok Patole has clearly suggested, how important it is for the elders to preserve their wealth and not to transfer anything in their children’s name. Besides wealth, he has also given a message through one of the characters, the importance of physical fitness, in older age, to remain self sufficient. Director Purushottam Berde has given this play a touch of Saas- bahu drama, in a different way, which lasts for about 2 hours and 35mins. Certainly a worth watch for all.