Amar Photo Studio

While shooting for Dil Dosti Duniyadari, the cast wanted to create stories that the audience could relate to hence they came up with the gist for the play and approached the writer of the show, Manaswini, to expand upon it. After eight drafts, the script for Amar Photo Studio was created.[1]

The story revolves around two lovers, Apu and Tanu. Their relationship has become monotonous. Apu is stressed out due to abandonment issues with the father figures, who left the family at 27 and never returned. Now that Apu is 27, he is depressed and has become suicidal. Just as he is about to commit suicide, Tanu comes there and he is saved.[2]

Later, it is discovered that Apu has been offered a scholarship for research abroad. So for clicking photograph for the visa, Apu needs to go. But instead of that, Apu wastes his time around, which chagrines Tanu. The relationship also is in turmoil due to the prospect of the long-distance relationship once Apu is abroad.

Tanu takes him to 'Amar Photo Studio', to click a picture. There they meet an old man who starts telling them philosophies. Thinking that he is a mad man, they want to leave. Just then, the man clicks a picture and they are transported back to the past. The rest of the play explores their interactions with the past. Apu is transported to film shooting in 1942, while Tanu is transported to a cafe in 1976. Apu meets the heroine, Chandrika. Tanu meets a hippy (smoking weed) whom she discovers to be her father. Apu discovers how life is difficult for Chandrika. When they return to the present, they find that they were fighting on petty issues and patch up again.[2]

In 2018 the play completed its 250 show mark and the performance of the actors has been appreciated by veteran actors like Shubhangi Gokhale.[5] The play has also been well received by audiences in the UK and is the first Marathi play to explore time travel.[6]