PLAY REVIEW: White Lily & Night Rider

The Hinglish version of the still-running Marathi hit play White Lily & Night Rider connects with you on many levels. Sapna Sarfare reviews the play for those interested.

I admit that despite hearing rave reviews of the Marathi version of White Lily & Night Rider, I had yet to see it. I then grabbed the first chance to watch the launch of the Hinglish edition to the existing Marathi version which speaks about online identities clashing with real life and the changing nature of relations in the tech world.

39-year-old Puneri share broker Keshav Sane (Milind Phatak) goes by the name Night Rider on a dating site. This quintessential insecure Indian male has a rather easy-going nature. Online, this rider’s outspoken nature attracts attention, but is a tame cat in real life. In contrast, bold Mumbaikar White Lily aka Bhakti Deshmukh (Sonali Kulkarni) is honest, quick on assumptions and carries baggage of her own. Chatting online for some time, their conversations are liberal with talks of sexual nature. When they decide to meet, a series of conflicts dealing with compatibility on every level comes out. Each see situations from their own hilarious perspective and the result is something they don’t expect.

It is a script which is the focal point for White Lily & Night Rider’s success. The story is a believable take on how evolving technology brings in its own sets of problems for people. Keshav & Bhakti are today’s people – slightly beyond the typical marriage age but gung-ho on finding someone special. That means using technology for their benefit. But their actual meetings & compatibility leaves both awkward. Bhakti’s insecurities and honest nature leaves her panicking when things ‘seem’ slightly odd. Keshav, alternatively, comes across as someone who prefers escapism to face off. When the two natures collide, everything takes a different turn. There is a connecting point in this story.

The point that stuck more was the characterization. Keshav comes across as more believable than Bhakti. Non-confronting, Keshav’s past 2 affairs makes him wary of dealing with women’s emotions and understanding. Bhakti, on the other hand, has had one failed affair and more experience dealing with men’s unwanted attention. Yet, the connection between her past issues and present behavior comes across as rather incomplete. Her past, in some ways, does not justify her rather brash and ‘I am right’ behavior with Keshav. The second half of the play struggles a bit when the characters start to argue and it seems stretched.

Fortunately, the story still works on many levels, thanks to the humour and language. You feel as the conversations come from your life itself. Written by Milind Phatak and the late Rasika Joshi (the original Bhakti), it speaks the language & emotions of today. The humour is the play’s highlight along with good acting. Milind Phatak is very much Keshav Sane – sure of himself yet confused of whether he has really understood Bhakti. You connect with his Keshav Sane. Sonali Kulkarni is an actor par excellence. Her Bhakti is almost easily identifiable, yet, at times, comes across too aggressive for no reason. It is a big credit to Sonali that she does not cross the line though.

The mark of a good play would also be behind the scenes work. Pradeep Mulye’s set design represents the situations well – whether it is coffee house or Keshav’s home. It was quite funny to see the ‘walls’ shake when Bhakti tries to leave the house in anger. The lighting department supports the art department well.

What I loved about White Lily & Night Rider is that the play does not offer a solution but rather makes you think. Finding love at whatever age is not as easy you think. But technology cannot replace personal connectivity and one needs to think about that more. White Lily & Night Rider provides fodder for that thought. I might go for a second watch.

WHITE LILY & NIGHT RIDER

CAST: Sonali Kulkarni & Milind Pathak
SCRIPT & DIRECTION: Late Rasika Joshi & Milind Pathak
GENRE: Comedy

DURATION: 130 Mins 

Pune Events Listings

Here are the latest events happening in Pune. Choose your favourite for a great time…

WEEKEND HINGLISH COMEDY PLAY - WHITE LILY AND NIGHT RIDER!

After success in Marathi, the Hinglish version of White Lily and Night Rider starring Sonali Kulkarni & Milind Phatak comes to Pune. A man & woman foray into the whimsies of online dating. Will their chemistry reflect when they meet for the first time? Get entertained, while reflecting the changing times.

WHERE: Nehru Memorial Hall, Camp

WHEN: June 19 2016

TIMING: 7 PM onwards   

FOR BOOKING, CALL: 9270429000. For online bookings, please visit https://in.bookmyshow.com/pune/plays/white-lily-night-rider/ET00042200; Discounts available for Indian Armed Forces, Senior Citizens & Differently-Abled.

CELEBRATING FATHER’S DAY WITH SUNDAY BRUNCH @ HYATT PUNE!

Make Dad feel special this Father’s Day at Baan Tao. Don a chef cap & apron and get behind the

counter to create a one-of-a-kind dish for Dad. Choose from grilling a Satay or mixing a Mocktail, while the kids can decorate cupcakes. Freeze this memory in a frame at the Happy@Hyatt Photobooth. Also gift your father special gift certificates for Spa treatments, meals or cakes.

WHERE: Baan Tao, Hyatt Pune Kalyani Nagar

WHEN: June 19 2016

TIMING: 12.30 PM - 3.30 PM

PRICING – INR 1199 plus taxes onwards

FOR RESERVATIONS, CALL: 7798889653 / 20 4141 1234 or visit http://www.hyattrestaurants.com/india/pune/restaurants-in-pune/asian-in-kalyani-nagar-baan-tao/

FATHER’S DAY SPECIAL ‘DADDY DAY BUFFET’ @ TANGY AFFAIR

Tangy Affair celebrates Father’s Day with a special Sunday Buffet designed specially to commemorate this special day for your dad. Enjoy this special day as Tangy Affair brings in outstanding food options, an array of drinks, great ambience and excellent hospitality.

WHERE: Tangy Affair

WHEN: June 19 2016

TIMING: 12 PM to 3.30 PM

PRICING: Rs.450 Only

FOR RESERVATIONS, CALL: 072190 00726 

ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE DE PUNE PRESENTS NEEL SARKAR PROJECT – A FREE MUSIC CONCERT

L’Alliance Francaise de Pune and The Poona Music Society invites all to a free concert of Neel

Sarkar Project (NSP). Indian & French musicians Neel Sarkar (guitar/string) , Pierre Antoine Lasnier (electric bass), Sushruto Goswami (flute), Pritam Sengupta (percussions) explore  their philosophies through music. Easily titled as Indian Jazz, the Neel Sarkar Project is more than that.

WHERE: Mazda Hall, Pune

WHEN: June 25 2016

TIMING: 7 PM

EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC OF MONSOON @ JW MARRIOTT PUNE

With the arrival of monsoons, JW Marriott Pune is re-creating the nostalgia of the rains with ‘Monsoon Food Festival’ at Spice Kitchen and Shakahari. Get steaming fritters & savouries, chats, corn pakoras & more, along with rainy must-haves like ginger tea, special masala chai, mulled wines and toddy and delicacies in the Spice Kitchen and Shakahari dinner buffets.

WHERE: JW Marriott Pune, Senapati Bapat Road

WHEN:  June 17-30 2016

TIMING: 7 PM Onwards

PRICING: SPICE KITCHEN: Rs.1250/- (on weekdays) + Taxes; Rs.1350 (on weekends) +Taxes 

SHAKAHARI: Rs.1000/- + Taxes

FOR ENQUIRIES, CALL: 020 6683 3333 or visit www.jwpune.com

FATHER'S DAY @ THE WESTIN PUNE KOREGAON PARK

The Westin Pune brings you a super special day just for dad this Father’s Day. Celebrate the occasion

and pamper your dad with a delicious meal at Seasonal Tastes.

WHERE: Seasonal Tastes, The Westin Pune Koregaon Park

WHEN:  June 19 2016

WHAT: Sunday Brunch & Dinner

 TIMING: Rs. 1000 + Taxes 

FOR RESERVATIONS, CALL: 020 67210063

Reach for Positivity

Get positivity in your lives with discourse on June 4 by motivational &lifestyle coach Shri Gaur Gopal Prabhu at the fundraising event jointly organised by Intellisense & Yuvatva, a youth run NGO. 

Sometimes, just listening can work wonders for your life. It is about listening to things positive. If this listening is coupled with a cause, things get even better. This June 4, be prepared to hear all things positive from Shri Gaur Gopal Prabhu, an internationally known motivational and lifestyle coach. He will be in town for a fundraising event called ‘Intellisense Living’ organised by Intellisense - Smarter Planning for Better Living and Yuvatva, a youth run NGO. The proceeds will go to Shantivan which is a Beed-based organisation working towards the children of farmers who have committed suicide for their basic food & educational needs. It is organised at Hotel Westin Pune Koregaon Park. 

Raunak Jayya Shetty, who is the founder of Yuvatva, gives the real reason behind organizing such an event. “In an agrarian country like India which vests 65% of its population in the youth, it is heartbreaking to witness the farmer suicide epidemic that accounts for about 11.2 % of all suicides. We at YUVATVA believe it is time for the 65% to construct solutions aiming at providing opportunities to each individual to develop and prosper across different arenas. The restoration journey of these basic rights has begun for Yuvatva by joining hands with ‘Shantivan’ in Beed an organization which works for the development and education of children of the farmers who have been a part of this grieved epidemic. The event is part of this initiative to raise funds for these children, helping them with food, education and a better life.”

Shetty reveals more about what will be in this discourse. “It will be about lessons that we can learn from everyday life and His Grace Gaur Gopal Prabhu’s philosophy on how to live an easier & happier life. This deep philosophy will be shared using anecdotes, jokes and humour so that something as heavy as life lessons are made easy and fun to understand. How wonderful is it to have someone who can give us this knowledge curated with humour and help us grow into better and happy individuals. He has lectured extensively throughout India and all over the world to deliver lectures & seminars on varying aspects of Vedic Culture wowing his audiences with his unique mix of deep knowledge and witty humour.”

Shetty further reveals that Prabhu’s talks are perfect for impacting positively on everyone’s life. “His talks are addictive in nature and the discourse will definitely bring one close to believe why happiness is an inside job. We often pose rhetorical questions like – why do bad things happen to good people? Does God really exist?, etc. This discourse gets us closer to these answers but also helps us to understand how knowledge can change one’s life. At the same time how wonderful it is to have someone who can give us this knowledge curated with humour and unknowingly help us grow into better & happy individuals.”

 Gaurav Kataria, Co-Founder, Intellisense, said, “It is wonderful to see young people who are so motivated to make a change in our country. Yuvatva is a completely youth-run, non-profit organization of passionate and committed individuals with the desire to help inculcate the values of liberty, equality and inclusive development in our society. We believe in their cause of helping the children who have been affected by drought and farmer suicides, and feel it our duty to help them in the best possible way that we can.”

Shetty gives the perfect reason why everyone should be attending this discourse. He says, “One should attend this discourse to help the children of Shantivan in Beed in providing them with food, shelter and a better life; while at the same time get to hear a internationally-renowned motivational speaker with deep spiritual knowledge and an even better sense of humour. It’s an evening a Punekar should not miss out on. "

With such positive message, it is time to attend the fundraising event ‘Intellisense Living’ on June 4^th organised by Intellisense - Smarter Planning for Better Living and Yuvatva, a youth run NGO and listen to the discourse of Shri Gaur Gopal Prabhu. It will be at The Westin, Koregaon Park Pune and the fundraiser will be followed by complimentary high tea.

Donation Passes Available at:

1.       Intellisense Ventures, 917/19A City Chambers, FC Road, Opp. Hotel Vaishali, Pune - 04

2.       All Malaka Spice restaurants - Koregaon Park, Baner & Phoenix Marketcity

3.       NCC Canteen, Next to Symbiosis College, Senapati Bapat Road, Pune OR

4.       Call 9890011114 or visit http://intellisenseventures.com/event.php

Date: June 4^th 2016

Time: 6 PM to 9 PM

Venue: The Westin Pune Koregaon Park

PHOTO CREDIT: : video.iskcondesiretree.com