Exaggerated Rivalry, Explosive Laughter: Dayaprakash Sinha’s Classic Comedy Triumphs at Premchand Rangshala
Patna, December 30:
Premchand Rangshala echoed with unrestrained laughter on Tuesday evening as Madhyam Foundation, Patna staged the celebrated Hindi comedy “Dushman Urf Saiyaan Magan Pehalwani Mein Sara Ghar Pareshani Mein”. Directed by Bihar Kala Award–winner Dharmesh Mehta and written by Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee playwright Dayaprakash Sinha, the play emerged as a resounding theatrical success.
Presented at 6:30 pm, the production offered a sharp, exaggerated comic take on rivalry, pride and inherited masculinity, using humour not merely as entertainment but as social commentary. The audience’s frequent bursts of laughter throughout the performance bore testimony to the play’s strong connect and impeccable timing.
Structured as a single-act play with five characters—three men and two women—the narrative revolves around a traditional pehalwan family and its obsession with outdoing a lifelong rival. The protagonist, Hikmat Singh, is bound by a dramatic vow made to his father: to never fall behind his “enemy,” even by one step. What follows is a series of absurd yet relatable situations—marriage for marriage, children for children—eventually leading to self-inflicted chaos, all delivered through stylised dialogue, physical comedy and expressive body language.
Director Dharmesh Mehta himself appeared on stage as Mamu, lending both authority and comic restraint to the performance. Other notable performances included Durgeshwar Vishwakarma as Hikmat Singh, Sonal Kumari as Lali, Chitra Priya as the Mother, and Vicky Poddar as Goli Prasad. Each actor contributed to the rhythm of the play with precision and energy.
The production was supported by assistant director Devendra Jha, while music and lighting design by Raj Kapoor enhanced the exaggerated comic mood. Several artists from Madhyam Foundation provided backstage and logistical support, ensuring a seamless presentation.
What set the play apart was its underlying message: the idea of sustaining rivalry without physical violence—staying close to one’s adversary while letting ego itself become the battleground. In a contemporary context marked by overt aggression, the theme struck a surprisingly relevant chord.
The performance was attended by several prominent guests, including social worker Naresh Kushwaha, Varun Singh (State President, BJP Cultural Cell, Bihar), along with Ravikant Singh, Sanat Tiwari, and Ramesh Chandra.
With its sharp writing, disciplined direction and committed performances, the production reaffirmed the enduring power of Hindi comic theatre to provoke thought through laughter.
