Recently, people have started speaking about their fight with depression. The world has started acknowledging that there is a difference between a ‘bad mood’ and ‘being depressed’.

Depression is an illness which needs to be cured but the ways to cure it may be different from other diseases/illness. One major role in curing a depressed person is played by the people surrounding that person.

“Aalam Dost” which means “Friend of the World” specifies this point with great detail. A one man act, written and directed by Prankur Chaturvedi and performed by Pratik Rajen Kothari it was recently premiered in Mumbai and has opened with great reviews and audience feedback.

The strongest points of “Aalam Dost” are the very basic and relatable things which have been written and shown well. Prankur has written and directed this Act with full honesty and responsibility. The poems, also written by Prankur, have been pitched at crucial moments, which uplift the whole act to a different level.

Pratik Rajen Kothari has worked really hard and has got into the character so beautifully that he makes the audience feel the pain and emotion with this marvelous performance.

The actor breaks the fourth wall by interacting with the audience and makes them a part of this Act.

This one-hour poetic and musical journey has crucial emotional moments which does not seem forced but comes out as a natural reaction to the given situation. The set is bare save for a couple of tables and chairs, an Almera and a “Paayal”.

At last, this monologue will leave you with one question… “Kya aap ban sakte hain… Aalam Dost?”

(submitted)