A photo from Relentless | Photo credit: Special Arrangement
Merciless‘s producer V. Balakrishnan attributes its origins to his 2010 play, The Black Knight’s Red QueensWhile researching the lives of sex workers throughout history, she encountered the myth of Rishyashringa, a recurring figure in the Mahabharata and Ramayana, often linked to drought and salvation.
The deer-horned sage Rishyashringa lives in seclusion until he is taken to a drought-stricken kingdom because his presence is predicted to bring rain. Tempted by prostitutes sent by the king, he leaves his forest home, and the rain follows him. Eventually, he marries the king’s daughter Shanta and brings prosperity to the land.
Fascinated by this story, which had a happy ending, Balakrishnan wondered about the fate of the prostitute who plays an important role in this myth. This curiosity lit the spark for this story. MercilessA play that unravels the untold story of the woman behind the legend. “I wanted to find out what happens to the prostitute after that time,” says Balakrishnan. “This desire to know her story inspired me to write the screenplay.”
It premiered at the Goethe Institute in Chennai earlier this year. Tireless, Balakrishnan says it received positive responses, encouraging the team to expand its reach.
Though the characters are from iconic Indian epics, Balakrishnan clarifies that “I wouldn’t call it an adaptation because it is a fictional mythology from my side.” Despite being rooted in the familiar framework of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, Merciless redefines the story. It moves beyond the original drought-ending resolution and introduces a new challenge: incessant rain threatens to submerge the land. This sets the stage for a gripping exploration of love, loss, and the complexities of human nature.
A scene from Relentless | Photo credit: Special Arrangement
Balakrishnan also created the characters of Kanupriya and Amaladitya to take the narrative forward. “They were created and developed on the spur of the moment and have no direct connection to the original mythology.”
According to Balakrishnan, Merciless It is an intense exploration of love. He believes that despite the tragic aspects of the play, love emerges as the enduring force. “The story is about love. It is about love and its true meaning,” he explains. “What is this love? How do we recognise it? What does it mean? The play is about discovering the true essence of the word.”
Can this drama be classified as a romantic drama?
Rather than focusing on genre or classification, Balakrishnan is more interested in the core conflict of the play. “I believe that when the audience connects with the conflicts of the characters on stage, a dialogue takes place, binding us all to a shared stream of consciousness,” he says. “So, I focus on presenting the conflict and the way the characters resolve it.”
Characters and conflict
The central character Kanupriya is a complex woman caught in a world of desire and consequence. Her journey is one of transformation as she treads the perilous path of love, duty and survival. King Amaladitya is a man tormented by past mistakes and desperate for redemption. Their complex relationship forms the emotional core of the play.
Conflict in the Merciless There is a battle against the elements and an internal conflict. The characters grapple with their desires, fears and the weight of their actions. The play explores themes of power, morality and the human capacity for both love and destruction.
Director’s point of view Merciless The aim is to create a theatrical experience that challenges the audience to question their own understanding of love, responsibility and the consequences of our choices.
‘Relentless’ will be staged on August 2 and 3 at Ranga Shankara, Bengaluru. Tickets are available on BookMyShow.
