SHATRU – The Play

Sunil Rawat, a prominent figure in Indian theatre, has been a driving force behind Saksham Art since2008. With over two decades of experience in both acting and directing, he has masterfully brought to life more than 30 productions, ranging from intense dramas to light hearted comedies. His directorial ventures include celebrated plays like The Physicist, Ek Tha Gadha, Khamosh Adalat Jari Hai, Baki Itihas, Black Comedy, Chainpur ki Dastan, Shatru – The Enemy Within, Jaun Elia Ka Jin, and Fareb-E-Hasti, showcasing his wide-ranging theatrical sensibilities.

Trained as an engineer, Sunil blends analytical precision with creative vision, allowing him to craft productions that resonate both intellectually and emotionally. A certified expert in digital cinematography, he integrates modern media techniques to enrich his stagecraft.

Beyond the stage, Sunil is committed to nurturing new talent. His workshops for aspiring actors highlight his dedication to education and skill development in the performing arts. Under his leadership, Saksham Art has not only explored critical social themes but also delivered thought-provoking performances that challenge conventions. Sunil Rawat’s journey exemplifies unwavering commitment to the transformative power of theatre, leaving a lasting impact on the cultural landscape with every production.

Saksham Theatre, a Delhi-based theatre group founded in 2007, has swiftly emerged as a prominent force in Hindi theatre. Guided by the visionary leadership of director Sunil Rawat, the group has produced a remarkable repertoire of over 30 plays, seamlessly blending social and political commentary with broad audience appeal. In a relatively short span, Saksham has established itself as a dynamic platform for thought provoking and socially relevant performances.

From their inaugural production of Friedrich Dürrenmatt’s The Physicist in 2008 to the recent staging of Prof. Sadique’s Fareb-E-Hasti in 2024,Saksham Theatre has consistently delivered compelling theatrical works. Their diverse catalogue features plays by literary giants suchas Saadat Hasan Manto, Anton Chekhov, Dario Fo, Peter Shaffer, Khushwant Singh, Nag Bodas, AshokLal, Piyush Mishra, Sharad Joshi, Badal Sircar, Vijay Tendulkar, and many more.

Saksham Theatre is not just a stage for story telling—it is a canvas for contemporary issues, a mirror that reflects the pulse of the times while offering unforgettable entertainment. Beyond the footlights, the group seeks to engage audiences on a deeper level, sharing the warmth, excitement, and timeless magic of live theatre.

Woven in the classical tradition of Sanskrit/Greek theatre and eternal values, the play is based on the Buddhist legend and historical background of King Ajatashatru. It touches upon themes of secularism, feminism and inherent psychological frustrations and violent tendencies within human nature, making it timelessly relevant.

Driven by his innate ambition, aggressive nature, and the encouragement of his spiritual guide Devadatta—who was Buddha’s rival—Kuneek, the ruler of Magadha, imprisons his father Bimbisara, eventually murdering him by starving. In his youth, Bimbisara was a fiery and aggressive ruler, even killing a sage in a similar manner to secure his succession. Later, under the influence of his second wife, Queen Vasavi, a follower of Buddha, he became a disciple of Buddha.

As a consequence of his heinous crime, Kuneek is afflicted with leprosy. His feminist and values driven wife, Bajira, disgusted by his actions and nature, refuses to bear his child. Abandoned and in a pitiable state, Kuneek finds himself utterly alone. In his despair, Devadatta, before going into exile, advises him to seek refuge in Buddha, revealing that Buddha has postponed his Nirvana to savehim. Kuneek journeys to the Eagle Peak in Rajgir, where Buddha is delivering the Lotus Sutra discourse. There, he finds redemption from his grievous sin and eventually goes on to become a peaceful and capable ruler of Magadha for decades. In the Greek mythological play, Oedipus kills his father and, as a result of this terrible crime, meets a tragic and sorrowful end. Kuneek commits the same crime, but in the mirror of Buddhism, he confronts the truth, accepts his wrongdoing, and, through struggle, redeems himself. Ultimately, he is known in history as Ajatashatru.