Ami E Chaini: A Stirring Bengali Theatrical Experience by Behala Batayan

Read the article in Bengali

On 23rd August, at the Calcutta University Institute Auditorium, Lifeplus Magazine had the privilege of witnessing the premiere show of the Bengali theatrical performance Ami E Chaini.

The play, written by Sudhanshu Dasgupta and directed by veteran theatre personality Nabakumar Banerjee, founder of Behala Batayan, unfolded as a gripping tale of emotions, suspense, and human complexities.

The Storyline

As described by the director, Ami E Chaini portrays the struggles of a childless family entangled with the burden of caring for a mentally unstable member.

The drama centers around a Bengali Roy family, with Mr. Roy, the head of the household; his much younger, beautiful wife Aru; and his mentally disturbed brother Santu.

Santu’s psychological condition is intricately tied to his past political involvement. His fear and weakness connected to the color red symbolically reveal his association with the Naxalite movement during the early 1970s. This layer added an extra depth to the story, giving it a strong socio-political context along with personal conflict.

Over the course of one hour and forty minutes, the audience was captivated as the story delved into hidden truths, past crimes, and emotional turmoil. The narrative gradually built suspense through the interventions of Dr. Debanshu, Inspector Purnendu, and even a mysterious Muslim house-help. The climax revealed the tragic truth behind Santu’s mental state, culminating in confessions and an emotionally charged conclusion.

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Performances

The cast delivered memorable performances, with special mention going to the young actor who portrayed Santu. His realistic and sensitive depiction of a mentally unstable man, haunted by political trauma, stood out as the soul of the play.

Juin Bagchi, who played the lead female role, stood out with her nuanced acting. Speaking to Lifeplus Magazine, she shared her concern that audiences often flock to star-studded productions featuring familiar film or television faces, while powerful performances in plays like Ami E Chaini risk being overlooked. Nonetheless, she expressed optimism about the future of Bengali theatre.

Another contributor to the project, Barbie Deb, though not a performer in the play, voiced her disappointment at the limited presence of younger audiences in the auditorium—an issue that continues to trouble theatre practitioners today. Still she is optimistic because of the interest in learning to act, by the younger generation.

Words from the Director

We were fortunate to have a conversation with director Nabakumar Banerjee, who reflected on his motivation:

“In today’s world of short films, micro-movies, and reels, our passion keeps us running Behala Batayan. It is purely out of love for theatre.”

Lifeplus will soon be publishing his exclusive interview, offering deeper insights into his creative vision and journey.

Why You Shouldn’t Miss It

Every character in Ami E Chaini was brought to life with finesse, under Banerjee’s skillful direction. The engaging story, socio-political undertones, suspenseful progression, and emotional resonance make it a must-watch for every theatre lover.

The next show is scheduled for 18th September, and we strongly encourage our readers and creative enthusiasts to witness this powerful performance.

At Lifeplus, we believe theatre deserves greater appreciation—especially from the youth. Live performances demand a level of dedication, creativity, and emotional intensity that deserves recognition and support.

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👉 Stay tuned on Lifeplus Magazine for the exclusive video interview with Juin Bagchi and the full interview with Nabakumar Banerjee.

Cast & Performances

The play came alive through powerful performances delivered by a talented ensemble of actors:

Kalyan- Sourish Banerjee
Aru- Juin Bagchi
Santu- Subhadeep Chakraborty
Doctor – Shyamal Mitra
Police- Partha Sarkar
Idrish- Surajeet Dutta
Rambrij- Rajib Mukherjee

Each actor added depth to the narrative, portraying their characters with conviction and emotional strength, keeping the audience deeply engaged.

Creative & Production Support

Behind the stage, a dedicated team contributed immensely to the success of Ami E Chaini:

• Dola Chatterjee
• Pushpita Haldar
• Barnali Mallik
• Jhumki Sen
• Aditi Ganguli
• Shekhar Mukherjee
• Debarati Ghatak
• Barbie Deb
• Pallav Mukherjee

Their efforts in background coordination, design, and overall production ensured that the performance left a lasting impression on the audience.

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