Mandira’s injury stalls play

A fracture on Mandira Bedi’s ankle has indirectly resulted in stage director Vikranth Pawar being out of work for at least a month. Vikranth, who has been working with Mandira on the play Conditions Apply, now has nothing to do but patiently wait for her to recover, because this is the only play he has in hand.

The producers of Conditions Apply had paid non-refundable rent deposits and booked venues for the play to be staged this month. Mandira’s injury has resulted in losses for them. However, the producers are willing to wait for her to recover and return.

Producer Darshan Jariwala says, “We have suffered losses — the entire rent deposit and also the money spent on advertisements. But it is a sadder loss to the group’s morale.”
Conditions Apply was supposed to premier in Mumbai on September 20. Darshan adds, “We were very excited about our premier at Tata Theatre. However, we cannot take a decision when to come back till Mandira recovers fully.”

This incident has left Vikranth undecided about his immediate future. He says because he had channelised his entire concentration and efforts on this project, he had not taken up any other play. Now, until Mandira decides to return, he has no project in hand.
Vikranth says, “The rehearsals were going on, but it is not possible with Mandira on crutches.”

Incidentally, a month’s gap is not long enough to get a replacement, and according to the director, Mandira forms the crux of this particular play.

Vikranth says, “We have to get entirely fresh dates now. It is too short a time to get a replacement.”

He then goes on to confess his own predicament. “I am hoping the play opens soon. I had diverted all energy on this play. Now, there is too little time to take up another project in hand until Mandira returns,” he ends.