“Zahar” — Bold Attempt That Loses Some of Its Sting

Shimla, October 25 Ritanjali Hastir

Natyanukriti’s latest production “Zahar” (Poison), written by Pankaj Soni and directed by Sanjay Sood, delved into the venomous depths of hatred and guilt. Staged at the Gaiety Theatre, the two-character play explored how human bitterness corrodes the soul—and how repentance can redeem even the darkest hearts.

With only two actors on stage, the play succeeds in holding the audience’s attention for over an hour through strong performances, a tightly woven narrative, and evocative direction. The story follows a wealthy yet tormented businessman (played by Abhay Thakur) who approaches a mad chemist (played by Sanjay Sood) to buy poison for his wife. However, in a poetic twist, he himself becomes the victim of his own venom—only to realize, in his dying moments, the true worth of life and love. The chemist later reveals that he never sold real poison but sought to cleanse the hatred within the man’s heart.

While conceptually powerful, the production fell short in execution. Sanjay Sood, doubling as director and performer, initially impressed as the eccentric chemist with his sharp Punjabi accent and confident stage presence. However, as the play progressed, the accent faded, and his final dialogue delivery faltered—diluting the emotional climax. Abhay Thakur, portraying the tormented husband, captured the man’s inner turmoil effectively, yet his voice was often inaudible when facing away from the audience, breaking the intensity of crucial moments.

At 1 hour and 20 minutes, the play felt longer than necessary. Despite supportive music attempting to break the monotony, certain stretches dragged, lessening the impact of an otherwise potent message. A tighter edit could have amplified its psychological tension and emotional resonance.

“Zahar” succeeds in provoking thought but struggles to maintain its dramatic grip. With sharper pacing and more consistent performances, it could have transformed from a good play into a truly gripping psychological experience.