Actors Vinay Pathak and Vivaan Shah will narrate two of Munshi Premchand’s classic tales — Idgah and Gulli Danda — respectively at Koi Baat Chale on January 22 as part of Zee Theatre’s curated collection of dramatic readings.
Koi Baat Chale is an anthology of timeless tales about love, loss, pride, friendship and generosity. The Idgah and Gulli Danda episodes will showcase the variety and richness of subcontinental literature and are directed by film, television and theatre veteran Seema Pahwa. The two stories will be aired on Tata Play Theatre and Tata Play Mobile App.
Idgah revolves around a four-year-old orphan named Hamid, who decides to give something special to his grandmother Amina on Eid.
“I have a very deep connection with Idgah because I love this story. It was in my school and college curriculum. Now I have a chance to revisit it and narrate it. As I shared a very close relationship with my grandparents, this story has a great personal significance for me as well,” said Vinay.
“I hope that Koi Baat Chale will remind younger generations of the beauty of Indian literature. I am glad that Zee Theatre is ensuring that such timeless stories are never forgotten,” he added.
Gulli Danda is a story about a successful engineer who returns to his roots and reconnects with an old friend, who was the champion of the Gulli Danda club. A game ensues between the two and what follows surprises everyone.
Actor Vivaan Shah, who will narrate Gulli Danda, said, “My parents have staged multiple stories by Ismat Chughtai, Saadat Hassan Manto, Munshi Premchand, Harishankar Parsai, Krishan Chander and other luminaries of Indian literature. I have grown up with such stories. This story, though not overly dramatic or full of flourishes, very subtly etches how the humblest amongst us are the most big-hearted and can make gestures that are overwhelmingly generous. It was a pure delight to immerse myself in this story.”
Shailja Kejriwal, chief creative officer - special projects, ZEEL, said Idgah and Gulli Danda transcended the socio-religious divide. “Zee Theatre is passionate about preserving the rich legacy of subcontinental literature for the new generation. After the love and warmth that Manoj Pahwa and Sadiya Siddiqui's narrations of Saadat Hasan Manto’s Toba Tek Singh and Hatak received, I am sure these two literary gems will also move and stir the audience,” she added.