Pasayadan, a creation of controversial playwright Pradeep Dalvi, was scheduled to open to public at Rangsharada Theatre, Bandra tomorrow. Not only were the rehearsals of the play in progress, but advertisements of the first show too had been released. However, on November 12 the play's staging was questioned by the Maharashtra Stage Performances Scrutiny Board. Dalvi was then informed that the play could not be performed until Thackeray gave a no-objection certificate. Thackeray was reportedly angered by the fact that his formal permission had not been sought by the playwright. Interestingly, Dalvi had told the Board that the leader had seen the excerpts of the play and approved of them.

Dalvi today visitedThackeray residence `Matoshree' in the afternoon. He was reportedly told by the leader that he would not grant a go-ahead until he himself had seen the play. ``Balasaheb has agreed to watch my play on November 19 or 20, following which he will decide on the permission,'' Dalvi told Express Newsline. Dalvi did not elaborate on the reasons for the sudden ban. ``We spoke at great length, but I cannot share the details of the meeting. I feel that Thackeray has been misled with regard to his portrayal. The doubts will be cleared only after he watches the play,'' he added.

While it was not possible to get Thackeray's comment, inside sources claim he was upset about certain references in the play to his smoking and drinking habits. Sources said the character playing Thackeray is shown smoking a pipe before his father Prabodhankar. However, the playwright himself claimed that these `objectionable' scenes have been deleted. Interestingly, Thackeray's son Uddhav and some senior party associates had seen the play andapproved of it.

Meanwhile, the Scrutiny Board chairperson Shantaram Nandgaonkar today asked the Theatre Branch of Mumbai police to hold performance license to the play. ``We waited for Dalvi's communication throughout the day. Since he has not produced any proof of Thackeray's approval, we are compelled to ban tomorrow's performance,'' Nandgaonkar said. He added that the letter sent by board to Dalvi was not even received and acknowledged by him yesterday.

``The matter has been unnecessarily complicated by Dalvi. First, he gives us an impression that Thackeray has already seen and approved excerpts of the play. Then when we ask for a proof of Thackeray's approval, he shies away from the subject,'' Nandgaonkar added. State Cultural Affairs Minister Pramod Navalkar said Dalvi had made matters worse for him, first by misleading the board about Thackeray's opinion on the play. And second by stating, in the beginning of the play, that it `is a real-life story of Balasaheb.' ``Dalvi does not realise that sucha major claim has put additional responsibility on his shoulders.''