Naseeruddin Shah’s family reveal what inspired their first theatrical family gathering in Dubai

Put five highly-opinionated family members together in a room – or on a stage – and the sparks are sure to fly. In the case of Bollywood actor and stage veteran Naseeruddin Shah and his family, such friction inspired a critically-acclaimed theatre production.

The Shahs bring Riding Madly Off in All Directions, which had its premiere at the Prithvi Theatre Festival in Mumbai last year, to the Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre at Mall of the Emirates on Friday, January 20.

The production, in English, marks the first time the 66-year-old actor, his wife, Ratna Pathak, and their children – Heeba, Imaad and Vivaan – have shared a stage, as they perform a collection of satirical and amusing stories by Canadian writer Stephen Leacock.

“The chief reason that we decided to do this as a family is because we like working and spending time together,” says Pathak. “What better way to do that than in theatre?”

Shah, who was last seen on screen in the hit movie OK Jaanu, discovered Leacock's writings while at school and they became instant favourites.

“He loved the stories and introduced me to Leacock as well,” says 59-year-old Pathak. “Naseer has always wanted to do them as a performance. We started with his three favourite stories and added some more-humorous pieces that fit the spirit and mood.”

The actress, who first appeared on stage with Shah in 1975, says it is a smorgasbord of acts.

"But they all add up to an evening of laughter and some insight," says the theatre and Bollywood star, who was last seen on screen in last year's hit Kapoor & Sons. 

“Leacock uses irony very beautifully to give you an insight into the human condition,” she says.

In one piece, titled A, B, and C, Pathak's gift for comic timing is on display in her role as a mathematics teacher trying to get across the emotional side of the subject.

“This piece deals with the human elements in mathematics,” she says. “Each one of us has come across this subject in schools and we all have our relationship and memories with it. This taps into that.”

Shah's daughter, Heeba, takes centerstage in the story My Financial Career, as a working-class American trying to open a bank account.

Imaad and Vivaan appear in The Conjurer's Revenge, a battle of will, and cards, between a magician and his volunteer. Asbestos Man, an abstract commentary on the loss of individuality as a result of advances in science and technology, is presented by Shah.

His youngest son, 27-year-old Vivaan – who had a role in the 2014 movie hit Happy New Year, which was shot in Dubai – also has a solo performance in a story called Borrowing of a Match.

Pathak says a creative project involving her entire family was a lesson in reining in emotions.

“I think we compliment each other and bring different skills and strengths to the table,” she says. “However, we are all strongly opinionated and don’t shy away from expressing them.”

• Riding Madly Off in All Directions is at Ductac, Mall of the Emirates, on Friday, January 20, at 5pm and 8pm. Ticket prices start at Dh200 from www.ductac.org

aahmed@thenational.ae