In satirical world, common man pays for his idealism
Indu Art Theatre and Film Society recently presented a political play, Chala Musaddi Hero Banne. Directed by Yasin Khan who works with NSD Repertory, the play is a satire based on Mussadi Lal, a common man who has to struggle to make an honest living. The story unveils how the common man is paid back for his good deeds and idealism, by the corrupt system.
Musaddi helps people in their bad times and solves many of his locality’s problems by going to the concerned departments. He becomes a local hero but a nuisance for politicians and others in power. Builder mafias begin to intimidate him. Pushed into a corner, one day Musaddi, brings a piece of beef and keeps it outside his house and goes to sleep in his room. Seeing the meat, most people think Musaddi has passed away.
This news spreads like wildfire and is music to his detractors. Hearing the good news, neta Gareeb Das decides to personally visit the family and offer his condolences. Accompanying him are the thekedaar, policemen, engineers and constables who represent the falling bits of the society.
The politician decides to give an extra bonus to Mussadi’s family by naming the lane in front of his house after him, giving his widow a 4-bedroom flat and sending his daughter to America to learn modeling.
An upbeat television anchor is seen taking a live video of the procession going on in front of Mussaddi’s house. Symbolising protestors, the character of Panna Lal Mange is placed in front of Musaddi who refuses to eat a single morsel. Such characters in real life symbolise those who fund political protests to keep aam janta away from the real problems existing in society.
Slogans like Mussadi nahin woh aandhi tha, desh ka naya Gandhi tha”, creates a strong background of social fervour.
Inspired by works of Sharad Joshi and Badal Sarkar, Yasin Khan says, “Nowadays political protests are held for raising funds for self-interest. The aam aadmi like the mazdoor and kisaan, on whom such social demonstrations are based is never found at such protests.”
It is the commoner who needs to be highlighted.
