Every writer wants their work to be read-to make people think, to spark conversations, to generate agreement or disagreement. The primary goal is to connect with readers and share their perspective. But before that can happen, a writer’s work must navigate a system that determines what gets published and what doesn’t.

This system is complex and not always fair. Often, excellent writing never reaches the public or is published under pseudonyms because of this system. In our society, we expect writers to be morally upright, while we often view businesspeople as selfish or greedy.

The Fourth Cigarette is a powerful narrative that challenges both of these assumptions. This play opens up a crucial dialogue about the conflict between art, ethics, and money, and raises the question of who truly controls the content that reaches readers.

Writer 

Yogesh Tripathi was born (June 18, 1959) and educated in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh. Three of his plays have been awarded the Mohan Rakesh Award by the Delhi Government’s “Sahitya Kala Parishad” academy: 1. “Mujhe Amrita Chahiye” (2002), 2. “Keshavlila Ramrangila” (2011), and 3. “Chauthi Cigarette” (2018). He has written more than sixty plays for the stage. His plays have been staged over 250 times in various parts of India, and some have also been performed in the United States. He edited and translated into Bagheli the play “Anand Raghunandan” (Braj dialect), written by Maharaja Vishwanath Singh of Rewa. He also scripted the text for a seven-day Ramlila, including several episodes, for the Department of Culture, Government of Madhya Pradesh. He has directed more than 20 plays. Eleven of his plays have been published. He received the “Spandan Lalit Kala Samman” (2021) from the Spandan organization in Bhopal and the “Abhinav Shabd Shilpi Samman” (2024) from the Abhinav Kala Parishad in Bhopal.

Director

Rajeev Verma, a director, architect, and town planner, trained in theatre under the late B.V. Karanth, has been honored for his contributions with the ‘Kala Sarathi Award’ by Art of Living, Bangalore, the ‘Kalidas Samman’ for 2022 by the Government of Madhya Pradesh, and the ‘Sangeet Natak Akademi Award’ for 2023 by the Government of India. Rajeev began his theatrical journey playing a monkey in his village’s Ramlila, and his journey continues to this day, encompassing school and college theatre, amateur theatre, radio, television, and films.

Director’s Note

The practice of “ghostwriting,” as depicted in “The Fourth Cigarette,” is a long-standing tradition in the fields of literature, film, and newspaper columns. Many writers earn their livelihood as ghostwriters, writing books, scripts, and songs for other, more famous authors. This exchange of intellectual property is a necessity for financially struggling writers to survive. Ghostwriters have been performing this painful task for centuries.

When I read Yogesh Tripathi’s play, “The Fourth Cigarette,” it deeply moved me. I decided that I would definitely stage it to bring the pathetic condition of writers in society to the attention of the audience. The entire script contains all the elements of a good play. The subject matter is serious, but the play exposes the pain of writers with complete truthfulness and honesty. Keeping the audience engaged for almost two hours was also quite a challenge. But some subjects, ideas, and events disturb you. You become agitated. The journey I undertook with the play “The Fourth Cigarette” culminates in this production, which is presented before you today.

Group

Bhopal Theatre was founded in 1981 by Ms. Rita and Mr. Rajiv Verma with the objective of revitalizing amateur theatre and exploring new theatrical possibilities. Its members, associates, and friends have been actively contributing to and keeping alive Bhopal’s amateur theatre culture for many years. It is due to the capable and sustained efforts of such theatre groups that the theatre scene in Bhopal and Madhya Pradesh has carved a unique identity for itself both nationally and internationally, and continues to explore new avenues in theatre. Bhopal Theatre began its journey in 1981 with the performance of its play ‘Waqt Ke Karahate Rang’ at the ‘Urdu Drama Festival’ organized by the Madhya Pradesh Urdu Academy. This journey has continued uninterrupted for years, navigating the ups and downs of Madhya Pradesh’s theatrical consciousness and movements. The support we have received in our endeavors and productions from various theatre groups, friends, and theatre-loving audiences reflects their affection, love, and commitment to theatre. This love is our strength. The Bhopal Theatre family includes: Mr. Rajiv Verma, Ms. Rita Verma, Mr. Shrigovind Sharma, Ms. Madhu Saran, Mr. Santosh Saran, Mr. Pratul Singh Hazari, Mr. Shiladitya Verma, Mr. Tathagat Verma, and Ms. Purvi Verma.