Guwahati, Sept. 5 (ANI): Ram Gopal Verma's loose adaptation of the 1970's Bollywood classic "Sholay" might have failed at the box office, but its Assamese stage adaptation seems to have worked for the people in the state.

The play has been developed by a unique mobile theatre in Guwahati, and is being taken across the state and performed before a cross-section of audiences.

The director of the play, Champak Sharma, says portraying the villain on stage was a tough task.

"I have tried to produce 'Sholay' in our mobile theatre, but it's a very tough job. But even more difficult has been the portrayal of Gabbar Singh. Amjad Khan set a very high standard with his role," he said.

Using two stages in his attempt to bring the story to thousands of people in the state, Sharma has relied heavily on the use of light and sound to give special effects to the play.

His efforts have not been in vain, with audiences raving about the play, and especially about Sharma's performance.

"We have liked it so much and it has touched our heartstrings. We never thought something like this could be achieved," said Randhir Kumar, a spectator.

Another spectator, Pallav Medhi, added, "I really liked the acting of Champak Sharma who played Amjad Khan. He was very good and I enjoyed it."

Such was the success of 'Sholay', a film about two reformed crooks who saved a village from a neurotic, foul-mouthed bandit, that it ran in theatres for years and arguably became the greatest Bollywood film ever made.

'Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag' is also about two crooks, just out of jail who come to Mumbai with big dreams but end up working for a gangster, and how they help the police to nail dreaded criminal 'Babban'.

Assamese theater has evolved in the last few years, with artists adopting new techniques and themes to involve locals and promote the art form.

The mobile theatre is one such effort, which artists have seriously begun to endorse recently. In fact, a theatre festival in the state draws thousands of locals and visitors. (ANI)