Where There's a Will by Mahesh Dattani
Where There’s a Will Short Essay
Introduction:
Mahesh Dattani is a famous Indian playwright, director, and actor. His first play Where There’s a Will (1988) is a black comedy about control, family issues, and change in a modern household.
Hasmukh and His Family:
Hasmukh Mehta is a rich businessman who owns the Mehta Group of Companies. He controls his wife Sonal and son Ajit strictly. Though he is married to Sonal, he is unhappy and secretly loves Kiran, a smart marketing executive. Ajit is not happy because his father controls everything, and he wants to be free.
The Will and Kiran’s Power:
After Hasmukh dies, his soul stays behind to watch his family. The family is shocked by his Will. He leaves everything to Hasmukh Mehta Charitable Trust, making Kiran the sole trustee and director. Kiran must run the company and train Ajit till he turns 45. Only then Ajit will get full rights over the company and the trust will dissolve.
Revelation and Change:
Kiran finds out Preeti had secretly replaced Hasmukh’s medicine to kill him. Kiran forgives her. Slowly, all family members begin to change and grow. Hasmukh’s ghost sees everything and ends up in Preeti’s womb.
Conclusion:
The play shows family problems, control, and change. In the end, the family learns lessons, and Kiran helps them become better.