Bollywood hottie Imran Khan joins all-women cast of Vagina Monologues for special charity show

Mahabanoo Mody-Kotwal, Dolly Thakore, Avantika Akerkar, Jayati Bhatia and Sonali Sachdev, better known as The Vagina Monologues women, now have hot male company in the highly-acclaimed play. Yes, Bollywood actor Imran Khan makes his theatre debut with this sensitive play in a special charity show on Wednesday to raise funds for an acid attack victim.

The play, of course, is familiar with Indian theatre audiences and has received astonishing success for it’s vociferous content on the diverse trysts that a woman goes through in her life. Now Imran joins its all-women cast and will breathe new life into it besides bringing in the male perspective.

“The script is something I could relate to,” said the young actor who is not nervous about facing a live audience. “I truly believe that if men and women find that balance, we can break several barriers and live together peacefully and in harmony. And women are truly going places. Ninety per cent of the interviews I’ve given have been to female journalists.”

Theatre veteran Dolly Thakore said, “Women are replacing men in all spheres. Women have always given men a chance, men never returned the favour! We’ve proved that we’re as capable as men if not more.” Sonali Sachdev agreed, “A slow but steady movement has started. I think VM is a huge step in that direction. Today none of my bais want their daughters to do the same thing they’re doing.”

Avantika Akerkar, who’s been with the Vagina Monologues since its introduction in India, added, “Women’s lives are very different from men. Although I now have several friends who are happy to be house husbands!” Imran, slipping into character for the play, said supportively, “I think women have the most complex relationships with themselves. Most are under this constant inner turmoil about what to do, how to behave. Change is happening, but it’s a slow process. Fortunately my generation
is more open minded than the previous one.”

He is unaware how Bollywood will accept his going on stage and that too in this play. But his friends are excited, they think it’s cool, said Imran. “They are all coming to root for me. Not a single person was taken aback at my decision. I think that says a lot about people’s mindsets. It’s an ongoing experience of learning for me. And I think it would be interesting to be a woman in my next birth — I’ll get to wear better clothes. It’s the heels I’d avoid!”