Hu Chandrakant Bakshi
I, Chandrakant Bakshi
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The story of Gujarati literature's most controversial writer, told by the man himself — or rather, by Pratik Gandhi inhabiting him with a ferocity that made audiences forget they were watching an actor. Chandrakant Bakshi (1932–2006) authored 178 books, served as Professor of History, became Sheriff of Mumbai, got his short story 'Kutti' banned by the Gujarat government, publicly defied Bal Thackeray and refused to apologise, and wrote an autobiography so incendiary that parts of it could not be published. His writing style — Gujarati laced with Urdu, Hindi, and English — was as deliberately provocative as his public persona. He was, by every account, an incredible egoist. He was also, by every account, adored by his readers. Written by Shishir Ramavat and drawn from Bakshi's autobiography Bakshinama, the play premiered on 15 June 2013 at Prithvi Theatre. Manoj Shah uses a ladder throughout the production as a metaphor for Bakshi's obsession with being on top. Gandhi — years before Scam 1992 would make him a household name — delivers what CreativeYatra called a 'cautious yet fearless' performance, bringing the bold and egotist protagonist to 'flawless perfection.' This play, along with Mohan No Masalo two years later, is credited with solidifying Pratik Gandhi's reputation as an actor of immense talent.
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DeshGujarat
A Play Featuring Chandrakant Bakshi's Life Opens on 15 June
Ideas Unlimited, Manoj Shah's theatre company, will stage a biographical play on controversial Gujarati writer Chandrakant Bakshi, starring Pratik Gandhi, at Prithvi Theatre on 15 June.
12 June 2013
CreativeYatra
Hun Chandrakant Bakshi: A Riveting Drama on the Audacious Gujarati Author
Pratik Gandhi brought the bold and egotist protagonist author to life as he essayed the role to flawless perfection — cautious yet fearless.
1 July 2013
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