Theatre returns to Goa in ‘Love, Lies and Deceit’ and that too with an impressive star-studded cast featuring India's first Big Boss Rahul Roy, the sizzling Poonam Dasgupta, Raj Premji, Amit Pachori, choreographer, Kaanu Mukherjee and India's first transvestite, Zaraa Ishnava.

There are stories and then there are stories, but only a handful of them remain with you forever and this one promises to be just that with two hours of melodious music, romance, comedy, homosexuality (the play has been granted a "U" certificate), crime and a never-seen-before ending.

The play revolves around yesteryear superstar Chandini (Poonam Dasgupta) who falls in love with Abdullah (Rahul Roy), an Arab prince, and subsequently gives up her stardom for him.  Destiny has different plans. Abdullah dies in an accident after a short-lived romance and matrimony.  Chandini becomes a recluse and never returns to her famed career.

Chandini's gay secretary (Zaraa Ishnava) appeases her to overcome her sorrow and loneliness with comedy and dance with his gay friends.  Raj (Raj Premji), a pimp supplying gigolos to Mumbai's high society, sees the potential in exploiting Chandini's loneliness and introduces her to his prized gigolo, Rahul (Rahul Roy in double role).  Unaware of Rahul's infamous profession and the uncanny resemblance to Abdullah, Rahul gets her out of her shell to fall in love with him.  Seeing this romance bloom Raj dreams of the fortunes now in store if Chandini is to will her vast fortune to Rahul and somehow die.  Rahul does not agree to Raj's criminal intentions and leaves both Raj and Chandini forever.

Raj, however, is not the kind of man to give up. He still nearly succeeds.....but how can this ever be possible with Rahul gone?  You can keep on guessing for this will unfold right in front of your eyes. 

(The play is brought to Goa by Rudy Camara and will be staged at the KalaAcademyindoor auditorium, Panaji on Thursday, March 25 and Margao at the Ravindra Bhavan, on March 26.  Tickets for the shows are available at Champs (Panaji and Margao) and KalaAcademy, Panaji.)