"This Hindu-Muslim issue is beyond politics; it's in our DNA," says an exasperated Sanju to his father Vinayak. When the words sink in, he is left dumbfounded. "Did my son just call me intolerant? Am I Islamophobic?" he asks himself. Moments later, Vinayak is seen reminiscing about his friend Saeed, for whom his grandmother would keep a bowl of sabudana khichdi on days she would fast because it was his favourite. That's a snapshot of Pitaji Please, where there is no black or white, but varying shades of grey. The new play by Makarand Deshpande, which the noted theatre director-actor calls one of his most important works, premieres this Saturday.

"The play's theme is what one is actively living as part of being an Indian — you are part of a society in a democratic country, but there is still tension between communities. Art is a by-product of life, and being a writer, I am responsible towards my lived experience," says Deshpande, who is also the playwright, between rehearsals at an Andheri venue.