Unheard hearts: ‘Flirt’ blends romance, laughter & lessons

The timeless truth that “unspoken love can haunt a lifetime” came alive on stage during the final performance of ‘Flirt’, a heartwarming and humorous play based on Padma Shri awardee Narendra Kohli’s poignant story Malini.

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Staged at the historic Gaiety Theatre as part of the three-day Gaiety Theatre Festival, the play was presented by Curio, a dynamic theatre group from Jaipur. The festival itself was a cultural collaboration between Anukriti Rangmandan, Kanpur and the Department of Language and Culture, Himachal Pradesh.

At the core of ‘Flirt’ lies the emotional yet comically charged story of Malini, a reserved young woman who silently harbours feelings for her charming colleague Verma. Unknown to her, Verma is equally smitten and tries his best to woo her through quirky antics and light-hearted flirtations. But Malini’s silence leads him to believe his love is one-sided.

Heartbroken, Verma decides to move on and marry someone else. It is only when he hands over his wedding invitation to Malini that she, in a moment of panic and vulnerability, finally confesses her love. What follows is a twist of emotions, regrets, and laughter as the two navigate their missed chances and find joy in mutual love.

Despite the bittersweet theme, the play ends on a light and humorous note — a beautiful reminder that love, when finally expressed, can turn regret into relief.