Kanji Virudh Kanji – Gujarati Drama

I heard a lot about the Gujarati Play Kanji Vs Kanji (or Kanji Virudh Kanji), but never got a chance to catch it. Reviews from friends were fantastic and everyone recommended me to watch the play. Of course, the expectations were very high.

Yesterday, I went to watch the play at Birla Matoshri. And I could make out of the popularity by the crowed that came in to watch the play. In-fact, I even saw Sachin Khedekar who plays Kanji. He was just rushing in the auditorium minutes before the play.

Kanji Lalji Chheda is an atheist out to question blind faith with logic and common sense. He displays his true merchant spirit by accusing God of ruining his antique business in an earthquake.

Here is a video that has some clippings of  the drama Kanji Vs Kanji.

Sachin Khedekar portrays the character of Kanji Lalji Chheda, a middle-class Bhuleshwar-based businessmen who owns an antique shop in the heart of Mumbai’s Chor Bazaar. A true Baniya, Kanji is capable of passing off a Rs 250-idol as a genuine antique piece and selling it off for thousands.

At heart, though, Kanji is an atheist who questions society’s unflinching blind faith and idol worship. Kanji even takes a so-called godman to court. His logic is simple: as a representative of God, the godman is liable to pay for losses incurred due to an earthquake (an act of God, according to the insurance company).

The play might have a social message but it is an out-and-out commercial venture. In keeping with the grandiosity of Gujarati theatre, there are four lavish set changes from the Kanji’s Chor Bazaar shop to his Bhuleshwar home, from the courtroom to the temple.

The first half shows him completely athiest and which most of the people who believe in god may not like it. But the eventual message is very clear and appreciated by everyone. Some of the dialogues including Reliance and Anil Ambani were applauded.

Overall, the drama was exceptionally great and is highly recommended.

Kanji Vs Kanji Rating: 5/5