“The issues raised by ‘Lights Out’ three decades ago are still pertinent,” says Smriti Kalra

The actor who portrays Leela also highlights the teleplay’s core themes of humanism and empathy

Making her debut in Zee TV’s series ‘12/24 Karol Bagh’ (2009) as Simi, actor Smriti Kalra has been a part of various TV productions, films, teleplays, and short films. She played the critically acclaimed and widely popular role of Neha in the TV show ‘Itti Si Khushi’ (2014) and directed the award-winning short film Ambu (2019), in addition to appearing in various films.

Her acting prowess and popularity made her perfectly suited for a pivotal part in Zee Theatre’s teleplay ‘Lights Out’. Renowned playwright Manjula Padmanabhan based the play on a horrific crime that unfolded in Mumbai’s Santacruz in 1982. When it premiered on stage in 1986, it created a sensation due to its provocative subject matter. Discussing the intense teleplay version directed by Ritesh Menon, Smriti says, “‘Lights Out’ addresses both literal and metaphorical darkness in our society. The overlooked assault on a woman in the story reflects the apathy of the privileged and the absence of humanity within our social structures. The issues that were raised three decades ago in ‘Lights Out’ are still pertinent.”

Speaking particularly about her character’s dilemma, Smriti says, “Leela symbolises the inertia and helplessness a woman often experiences due to her social conditioning. When she hears the desperate cries of a woman, she wants her husband Bhaskar to intervene who dismisses her concerns.”

When asked if she would report a crime if she witnessed it, Smriti responds, “As a responsible citizen, I absolutely would. In fact, what drew me to this play was its subject as well as its message of social responsibility.”

About playing a conflicted part like this, she says, “It was quite challenging to portray Leela’s inner struggles realistically. It was also equally important to subliminally convey that we must do what we can to help women in distress. By closing our eyes and ears, we cannot pretend that gender violence does not exist.”

‘Lights Out’ also features Sandhya Mridul, Ninad Kamat, Karan Veer Mehra, Shruti Madhudeep and Vikram Kochhar in key roles and can be watched on 16th August on Dish TV Rangmanch Active, D2H Rangmanch Active and Airtel Spotlight.