The QueenGenre: Historical dramaRating: 3.5 starsCast: Puja Sarup, Mukul Chadda, Sharvari Deshpande, Rohit Mehra/ Dheer HiraDirector: Daniel Owen DsouzaDuration: 80 minutesLanguage: EnglishWho would have thought that the story of a royal family in the fictional 16th-century kingdom of Banasvan could feel relatable 500 years later? Yet, that is precisely the strength of The Queen, written by Aditya Rawal and directed by Daniel Owen D’Souza. At its heart, this is a story about power, shifting loyalties, betrayal and the fear of becoming irrelevant; themes that transcend time and place.The drawback is that the brisk 80-minute runtime, at times works against it. There is plenty happening with palace politics, family tensions, shifting alliances and the threat of betrayal – but some relationships and emotional beats could have benefited from more room to develop. At times, the pace feels a little hurried, with certain moments passing before they have a chance to fully register.Set in 1585, the play follows Queen Durga, who is moved to the west wing of the palace after her husband, King Amar, marries a younger woman. Suddenly pushed to the margins, Durga finds herself grappling with her fading relevance, while worrying about her son, Prince Veer, and the king’s increasingly dangerous ties with the emperor. But this is no helpless queen. Brilliant, perceptive and politically astute, Durga knows that one wrong move could cost not just the kingdom, but the lives of everyone she loves.Aditya’s writing is top-notch, with razor-sharp wit, nuanced characters and dialogues that land beautifully. The best part is perhaps the way it balances the weight of palace politics with humour and sarcasm. Durga, a compelling protagonist quickly senses her son’s affair with her maid Laila, even as she remains alert to the machinations of her adversaries. Beneath the humour is an ever-present sense of danger, making the audience constantly wonder who will betray whom. Puja Sarup as Queen Durga, brings authority, vulnerability and quiet menace to the role. Sharvari Deshpande as Laila is equally impressive, particularly with her vocal prowess, which comes as a pleasant surprise. Mukul Chadda as King Amar and Rohit Mehra as Prince Veer add depth to the complicated family dynamics with their performances.The production is visually appealing, with set designer Shaira Kapoor creating a world that transports the audience into the corner bedroom of the old Queen of Banasvan. The music by Khamosh Shah, with lyrics by Raghav Dutt, complements the narrative without overpowering it. Despite its occasional rush, The Queen manages to pack intrigue, humour and family drama into a compact running time, with Puja’s performance giving the play its strongest anchor.
Should you watch this play?
Yes, especially if you enjoy sharply written historical dramas with, dark humour and a strong central female character.The Queen will be staged in Mumbai next month. (October 7 and 8, NCPA)
