NAATAK opens its landmark 30
th season with a timeless tale written specially for this occasion: an adaptation of the novel
The Confession of Sultana Daku (Penguin, 2009), recounting the daring exploits of Sultana Daku – his thrilling raids, imaginative escapes, rise to notoriety, and dramatic capture by Freddy Young, the celebrated superintendent of police who, in 1924, finally put an end to Sultana’s reign of terror around Bareilly and Moradabad.
As the first in a long line of notorious dakus, Sultana Daku with his horse-riding gang has appeared in countless films, in Hollywood –
The Long Duel (1967) starring Yul Brynner – and Bollywood –
Sultana Daku (1973) starring Dara Singh – with his best-known avatar being Gabbar Singh in
Sholay (1975).
With an enthralling new script that has never been performed before, the play will feature live music and dance, wit and humor, and energetic ‘svang’ performances that evoke 1920s India.
Children under 7 will not be admitted.
