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Shaadi@Barbaadi.com takes on relationships

Som Chivukula

Dot-coms are not the only entities facing 'barbaadi' these days. Beginning April 6, marriages will be in trouble too. But no real-life relationships will be in danger.

Real-life Bollywood couple Paresh Rawal and Swaroop Sampat will test their relationship on stage -- embarking on a 21-show trip in the United States performing Shaadi@Barbaadi.com.

The Hindi play, which was originally produced in Marathi, is about a couple whose marriage is tested by the husband's conniving mother. The husband is the scapegoat in the war of attrition between the wife and mother-in-law. Through ups and downs, the play provides insightful commentary on relationships and the importance of compromising.

"The significance of the title is to bring contemporary flavor to the play and making fun of relationships," said Boston-based national promoter Chandu Shah.

The play has been translated into other Indian languages including Gujarati. "This has been the funniest play in Gujarati (Parnela Chhaiye Kone Kahiye) and Marathi (Ek Lagnachi Gosth)," Shah noted. "In Gujarati there have been 300-plus shows and they've been packed in advance.

"It's making history in India," he continued. "On Marathi stage, over 750 shows have been performed."

Paresh Rawal, who began his career playing mostly villainous roles, is one of India's most popular character actors. In recent years, he has received praise for his work in such films as Hera Pheri and plays such as Khel and Gandhi Godse.

"Comedy is Paresh's forte," Shah said. "But he has proven himself in different roles."

"I am happy I don't fall into any slot," Rawal told The Times of India recently. "I can be a hardcore villain, a crank and a comedian all rolled into one. After all, even villains have a human side, likewise a comedian can also be wicked."

Rawal also co-starred in American Chai, an independent Hollywood film that won the audience award for Best Feature at the Slamdance film festival last February.

Sampat, Rawal's wife of more than a decade, has worked with him in several Gujarati plays. She also produced the highly acclaimed Khel that featured Naseeruddin Shah in the lead role. Sampat was Miss India 1977 and had a starring role in India's first television comedy show Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi.

Portions of the profits from some Shaadi@Barbaadi.com performances will be donated for Gujarat earthquake relief work. "The local promoters are organizing details in each city," Shah said. All profits from the Chicago show on April 8 will be donated, he added.

You can chat with Paresh Rawal and Swaroop Sampat
on 12 April, 7 pm ET, Friday, 13 April 4.30 IST

Nationwide Contacts:

Fri, April 6 : Houston, Texas; Indo American Assc. 281-648-0422

Sat, April 7: Edison, New Jersey; Pranam 201-659-1349

Sun, April 8: Chicago, Illinois; Vachikam 630-964-6061

Fri, April 13: Boston, Massachusetts; Aap Ka Manoranjan 978-681-5678

Sat, April 14: New York, New York; Indian Express, N.A. 866-JAI-HIND

Sun, April 15: Connecticut ; Milan Cultural Assc. 860-657-4271

Fri, April 20: Rochester, New York ; L. K. Mehta. 716-223-8476

Sat, April 21: San Francisco, California; Kaladarshan 510-745-9771

Sun, April 22: Los Angeles, California; Chandan Oza 213-387-1979

Sat, April 28: Dallas, Texas; Javed Farooqui 713-984-0457

Sun, April 29: Detroit, Michigan; Ajit Mehta 313-532-3353

Fri, May 4: Columbus, Ohio ; Venu Gopal Reddy 614-766-9007

Sat, May 5: Nashville, Tennesse; GMAT - Rekha S. 615-822-1511

Sun, May 6 : Cherry Hill, New Jersey; Sharad Mehta 856-428-3612

Fri, May 11: Cleveland, Ohio; Hibsa Entertainment 440-230-2904

Sat, May 12: Washington, DC; Kirit Udeshi 703-978-3991

Sun, May 13: Parsippany, New Jersey; Himanshu Shah 201-659-5829

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