Akarsh Khurana’s play The F Word is a darkly comic and relatable dive into family complexities

Preview: Akarsh Khurana’s play The F Word is a darkly comic and relatable dive into family complexities

Akarsh Khurana likes to explore the dynamics of dysfunctional families. It is evident from his works. Tripling, a show he co-wrote with Sumeet Vyas, explores the relationship between three estranged siblings. In Karwaan, a film he directed, one of the protagonists, played by Dulquer Salmaan, has what Akarsh calls “daddy issues.” These complexities of family relationships are relatable and rich in comedic and dramatic potential. 

His play, The F Word (by Aadyam Theatre), which will be staged at Ranga Shankara, Bengaluru, on November 17 and 18, explores the same theme. 

The description of the play reads: The narrative centres around Chetan, a dedicated high school teacher, and his estranged sister, Unnati, a seasoned psychologist, as they embark on a journey to untangle the complex web of their parents’ marital saga. Amidst this chaos, they inadvertently unveil a trove of long-concealed family secrets, which had been meticulously veiled beneath a façade for years.

The F Word, according to Akarsh, is a deeply personal conversation about parents, children, marriage, ageing, resentment, nostalgia, and importance, or lack, of communication. “It is darkly comic and surprisingly relatable, or so we hope,” he adds.

“It’s interesting how this theme has organically emerged in my creations,” says Akarsh. “I find all aspects of family scenarios intriguing because they capture the essence of real but complicated relationships. So, I find myself naturally gravitating towards such content.”

Alexander Payne, he says, is an inspiration. “His works, such as Sideways and The Descendants epitomise what some refer to as ‘mumblecore’ (a subgenre of films characterised by naturalistic acting and improvised dialogue).”

“A more recent example is the TV series Succession, where a family drama unfolds within a business setting, resulting in hilariously uncomfortable interactions.”