Shhhh... Ghabraaycha naahi

'Shhh...Ghabaraycha nahi"!!!

The name itself had caught my interest but being a 'fhattu' where it comes to 'Horror', I was a bit skeptical. 😉However, I had to overcome my fears for one of my dear friend Pushkar who plays one of the main leads. Hence no matter what, I had to watch it... for the multifaceted Pushkar.😀

The play has only 3 characters ...but what powerful ones.👏👏👏 

What captivating performances by Pushkar Sudhakar Shrotri  Dr.Shweta Pendse and the veteran Dr. Girish Oak.👏 It's not easy to keep one glued to their seats and also have their eyes glued on the stage with a limited starcast. Had a similar experience with Dr. Girish Oak and Dr.Shweta Pendse's play '38 Krishna Villa'  which had only 2 characters. That too was such a brilliant play with powerpacked performances by the duo.

Shhh...Ghabaraycha nahi has all the ingredients to make it a must watch. The combination of Ratnakar Matkari's Thrilling stories and Vijay Kenkre's Direction is simply mind blowing. To visualize a script and project it aptly so that it touches the hearts of the audience is the expertise of a Director. All you can expect is class not only on stage but also behind it.  

The suave Dr.Girish Oak was as always poised and composed with his impeccable narration. Dr. Shweta Pendse's entry was simply mesmerising. Choreographer Sonia Parchure's subtle moves were so beautifully emulated by Shweta with her eyes literally dancing... A special mention of Sheetal Talpade's brilliant lighting which did justice to her subtle moves and enhanced her beauty. 

Shweta's bewitching beauty was also beautifully enhanced by the talented Make up artist (sorry, don't know the name)  who also did a fabulous job with her transformation in the 2nd anka. Shweta's distinctly mind blowing performance in the 2nd anka is worth a mention. 

Now as I speak of Pushkar, I wish to make a disclaimer that I'm not at all biased about him as some might feel...but I truly appreciate and respect this super talented, down to earth man. Pushkar has always put in his best performance in whatever characters he has portrayed till date. Super talented Pushkar and Shweta literally gave us goosebumps in the 2nd anka... what gripping performances by the two.  

When the expert is involved it has to be par excellence.... I'm talking about the visual effects ... the lighting which plays a vital role in any play... When it comes to lighting the stage, or expressing and emoting through lights, can anyone think of any name other than Sheetal Talpade ??  

All in all it was a fantastically gripping, spooky, spine chilling morning (didn't want to watch it at night😉) and although they have said... Ghabraaycha naahi.... Mi tar Ghabarle !!! 😆

Bollywood Gharana

When Sunday Evenings Turn Magical: A Night with Abhijit Pohankar’s Bollywood Gharana presented by UFO Spotlight. 

Monday morning blues don’t really begin on Monday—they creep in much earlier, often by Sunday evening. I’m sure many of you will agree that Sunday evenings are precious, meant for unwinding at home and soaking in the calm before the grind resumes.

Yet, one such Sunday evening compelled me to step out—and I’m glad it did. The reason was an event I have been witnessing for years and will continue to attend whenever possible: Abhijit Pohankar’s Bollywood Gharana. Curated with finesse for a niche audience, this unique musical concept caters to the class rather than the mass, setting it apart from the many musical shows flooding social media today.

Abhijit Pohankar, as always, left the audience spellbound with his flawless performance. His keyboard spoke volumes, expressing emotions words often fail to capture. His choice of songs—personally my favourites—resonated with the entire auditorium, which joyfully joined in crooning along to the music.

To be honest, hardcore classical music has never quite been my comfort zone. However, I have always had a deep fondness for semi-classical music from mainstream Hindi and Marathi cinema. Abhijit has masterfully struck a chord with music enthusiasts like me, while simultaneously captivating seasoned classical music lovers. His seamless fusion of Bollywood melodies with classical elements results in a breathtaking, soul-stirring experience.

The magic was further elevated by Gandhar Deshpande’s outstanding classical vocals, beautifully complemented by Bhavya Pandit. Gandhar, along with the brilliant ensemble of musicians, effortlessly transports the audience into a trance. The entire exercise is nothing short of mesmerizing.

I’ve always admired bandish, though until attending Bollywood Gharana, I wasn’t even aware that these compositions were formally called so. Abhijit has an exceptional ability to connect with his audience throughout the concert. He needs no anchor—he is a natural communicator. By explaining the classical and technical nuances involved, he makes the concert not only enjoyable and relatable but also deeply informative.

One statement by Abhijit particularly struck a chord with me: “Everybody is a singer.” There’s no need to label singing as good or bad—everyone can sing. However, playing a musical instrument requires dedicated learning and expertise. This, in my opinion, places musicians on a pedestal of immense respect. Musicians express emotions through their instruments; after all, music has a soul, felt deeply by those who understand emotion and expression. Kudos to the entire Bollywood Gharana ensemble for successfully transporting us to a different world altogether.

The icing on the cake was the presence of renowned saxophone player Mr. Raj Sodha, a former member of R.D. Burman’s legendary team—an absolute delight for music lovers.🙏🏻

All in all, this concert is not to be missed by anyone who hasn’t yet experienced Bollywood Gharana. 

Cheers and best wishes to Abhijit for yet another rocking and unforgettable evening. 🎶✨

Adinath Kothare as Detective Dhananjay

Detective Dhananjay - Rahasyajaal On Zee5   

“Childhood memories are timeless treasures of the heart,” and for many from the older generation, the crime thrillers authored by Baburao Arnalkar hold a special place. 

I was introduced to the iconic characters Dhananjay and Chotu by my mother during my childhood which made 'Detective Dhananjay' a nostalgic and exciting watch since I have not read the novels myself. 

Produced by Shrirang Godbole and Adinath Kothare, the series successfully revives Maharashtra’s beloved detective for a modern audience. The adaptation smartly blends classic storytelling with contemporary elements like technology and AI, making it relevant without losing its old-world charm.

Adinath Kothare delivers a commendable performance, portraying Dhananjay with effortless conviction and a composed intensity that elevates the character. Pushkaraj Chirputkar provides solid support as Chotu, adding depth to the narrative.

While the plot occasionally feels predictable, the strong performances and engaging treatment make it a worthwhile binge watch for crime thriller enthusiasts. 

On the whole the series is a must watch as Adinath Kothare and Pushkaraj Chirputkar are bound to go down history as Detective Dhananjay and Chotu.

Dhananjay and Chotu have successfully solved the 1st mystery. Incase you still haven't watched, do follow Detective Dhananjay only on Zee5. I'm definitely looking forward to see how this duo solves many more of such thrilling mysteries... are you? 😀

A little bit of ... Common sense!

This quote which hangs on our office wall had caught my attention ever since I saw it and it got me thinking... if only people use their common sense. 

As someone who has spent nearly two decades working in the field of divorce law, I have often realised that relationships rarely break because of one “big” reason alone. More often, they erode quietly through wounded egos, assumptions, lack of empathy, upspoken expectations, taking the other for granted, poor communication  which somehow looses its charm if efforts are not taken by the individuals, lack of listening and the absence of simple common sense.  

At times, a little more patience, a little more listening, a little more understanding and a little more emotional maturity can make all the difference. 

Marriages do not survive magically, nor do they sustain themselves without conscious effort from both individuals. Marriages are 'made to work' through understanding, adjustment, compromise, respect, the willingness to support each other's career and priorties, share responsibilities as a unit and grow together through the changing phases of life.

Some relationships become emotionally unhealthy, deeply hurtful, or incompatible despite every effort made. In such situations, choosing peace, dignity, and emotional safety is also an act of wisdom.

If the effort required to nurture a relationship feels too burdensome, then perhaps the idea of spending an entire lifetime together through both the highs and lows deserves deeper reflection even before marriage.

If this understanding existed more widely, not only could many divorces be avoided, but perhaps even some marriages that were never emotionally prepared for commitment in the first place.

 It would save not only two individuals and their families from emotional distress, but also from the financial strain that so often becomes an unavoidable reality during divorce proceedings.

Perhaps the goal is not merely “staying together” or “separating,” but learning how to treat each other with maturity, respect, and humanity whichever path life takes.

#Relationships #Marriage #Divorce #EmotionalWellBeing #Communication #LifeLessons #HumanRelationships #LinkedInPost