Mera Woh Matlab Nahi Tha - A Family Play by Anupam Kher and Neena Gupta at JRC Convention Center

Yosha Deedithi Foundation (YoDee), section 8 Not for Profit organisation is hosting a theatre performance “Mera Woh Matlab Nahi Tha" by well-known Bollywood Actors Anupam Kher and Neena Gupta, in city on November 5th at JRC Convention Center Hyderabad. Mera Woh Matlab Nahi Tha, is a new play written and directed by Rakesh Bedi with actors of the caliber of Anupam Kher & Neena Gupta giving stellar performances. The play is a carefully-worded walk down memory lane.

To expand its activities and strengthen the foundation to facilitate a positive transformation YoDee has scheduled this Play as Fundraiser. Funds raised will be utilized to support YoDee initiatives. The Fund-raising show is curated by Rachnoutsav Events.
Set in Delhi, it's about two people who were in a relationship and were supposed to get married but couldn't due to circumstances. 35 years later, they meet again to discover the truth behind their separation. It's not just a love story; it's about human relationships, misunderstandings, and many such elements. In our lives, we always keep saying things which we don't mean. We never say what we actually mean, especially when it comes to men-women relationships. For example, a man will always keep telling his woman, 'Mera woh matlab nahi tha*. It's the men who always shirk away from telling the truth. At least women are much more straightforward.
The story begins at Lodhi Gardens in the capital, where two ex-lovers, Pritam (Anupam Kher) and Hema (Neena Gupta) decide to meet, after 35 long years, to discover the truth behind their separation. Though high-school sweethearts, circumstances lead them to marry other people. In their endeavour to find out why they drifted apart all those years ago, they meet and learn many things about each other's life, thus sharing moments of happiness, laughter, sadness and grief. This isn't just another love story of people who are in the autumn of their lives. The relationship between the protagonists has many layers to it. Sometimes they are lovers, sometimes friends, and sometimes, confidantes.

Anupam Kher, who has honed his craft by doing versatile roles in movies, shows equal brilliance on stage, when he plays the endearing Pritam, who knows how to make light of any grim situation. Despite being away from theatre for almost a decade, Neena Gupta proves her mettle as a natural actor. Her Hema is witty, funny, romantic and at the same time sensitive; when she breaks down in an important scene in the second half, you get goose bumps. What is commendable is that both actors effortlessly transition from happy to melancholic to even angry in some scenes. Among the cameos, Rakesh Bedi and Satish Kaushik provide comic relief and are thoroughly entertaining. A must watch for all theatre lovers.