Kalachetana Volvoi and Rajdeep Naik recently released a Konkani comedy drama, Ganv Zala Zantto. The drama has been scripted by Suchita Narvekar and directed by Amogh Budkule.
The story is about Jalesh (Rajdeep Naik) and his spouse, Jalapurna (Suchita Narvekar). The couple resides in a village where natural resources are easily available, including water, and they find shelter in an ancestral house.
In the neighborhood, there’s Jaldeep (Nigam Naik), Minguel (Rajesh Lohiya), Mhadavi (Prashanti Chari), Dada (Ramanand Naik) and Reddi (Mohandas Naik) who form part of this small family.
THE STORY
Jalesh makes all efforts to explain to his close associates how the ancestors lived in harmony in the village, worshipping water as their god. And, they are convinced about what is explained to them in a hilarious way.
While Jalapurna is pregnant with her first child, she has some terms and conditions to be laid before her husband. She sternly instructs her husband to demolish the old structure and build a new house.
Jalesh disagrees and is not in favour of his spouse’s new proposal. He explains the importance of the existence of those old structures, including the existing ancestral well that sustains the family and the neighborhood.
Soon after the first born sees the light of day, Jalapurna makes plans to immediately demolish the old structure. She gets Reddi with his associate to survey the area and chalk out the new construction.
Meanwhile, Jalapurna wishes that her only son, Jaldeep, move to the city as village life and experience will take him nowhere. Mother’s expectations towards her son are high and she is of the impression that Jaldeep will prosper in the city.
But, what awaits Jaldeep as he moves to the city? Will he remember his parents as he tries to modernise? Will Jalapurna’s dreams come true? Will she see the prosperity of her only son? Or, will it have an adverse effect?
BEHIND THE SCENES
The Konkani comedy drama, Ganv Zala Zantto, deals tactfully with the burning issue of Mhadei and its diversion to Karnataka. Its adverse effects on Goans, the environment and the existing Mandovi river have been highlighted, too.
There are only seven artistes in the play and each of them has given a fine performance. They have depicted their respective characters with ease and confidence.
There isn’t a dull moment in the viewing, and as the sequences progress on stage, the laughter riot created among the audience is clear proof that the comedy is a big success.
There isn’t a dull moment in the viewing, and as the sequences progress on stage, the laughter riot created among the audience is clear proof that the comedy is a big success.
Rajdeep Naik, of Hello Vasanti fame is the centre of attraction in the play and he makes all efforts to conscientise Goans about the sensitive Mhadei issue. Suchita, as the spouse of Rajdeep, has extended good support.
Minguel (Rajesh Lohiya) and Mhadavi (Prashanti Chari) carry good pills of laughter under their sleeve, while Dada (Ramanand Naik) and Reddi (Mohandas Naik) are equally entertaining with their swift comical acts.
The stage design by Hemant Kansar and stage setup by Shivlal Yadav are good and worth watching, especially the transition from the old house to a modern residential structure.
The lights by Manohar Kolekar; and music by Akshay Prakash Naik and Sindhuraj Kamat; the background music by Tanaji Gaude, all deserve mention.