CONTACT PLAYWRIGHT

Synopsis

Mr and Mrs Malik live in a high-rise apartment. Their live-in domestic worker, Nancy, runs away to marry Kunal, the garbage-collector who is homeless and sleeps on the pavement. Nancy returns to her job and begs for a second chance. She has, however, changed her name to a more sanskritised Sanskaaraa. Mr Malik is disapproving but not as unforgiving of Nancy as he was of his own daughter Monali, who had also eloped to get married. Monali’s name is taboo in the household now. Mrs Malik is glad to have Nancy back but struggles to control her behaviour. Kunal tries to pressure Nancy to return to him by going on strike, refusing to collect garbage from any of the homes in the building. The residents in turn pressure the Maliks into letting Nancy go, so she’d be forced to return to her husband. In the meantime, Kapdu, a travelling salesman of sarees and fabrics, and part-time thief, seduces Nancy but they are caught red-handed by Mr Malik. As a result, Nancy is thrown out again and this time, her name also becomes taboo in the household, which leads to a confrontation with Mrs Malik. When Nancy’s father, Batua, shows up to fetch his daughter, he learns that she is missing and accuses the Maliks of wronging her. Malik in turn falsely accuses Nancy of theft. Kunal also comes looking for Nancy. Mr Malik is furious at everyone, especially Mrs Malik who wants to find Nancy at any cost. Matters come to a head when Malik loses his temper and tries to attack first Kapdu and then his own wife, before collapsing himself. Nancy returns at last, hoping only to be sheltered for the night, but Mrs Malik decides to do settle things for her in a more permanent way.

Duration

110   Minutes

No of characters

15