Mahesh Dattani's Character Analysis

Dattani’s plays focus on contemporary state of affairs with a rare touch of honesty, sincerity and objectivity. Das, Bijay Kumar rightly says,
He presents situations, and events authentically to re-create the characters as they are seen in the contemporary society. From hijras to homosexuals (lesbians), he moves on to portray the impact of dreaded disease (HIV positive) on our society. Again he portrays, music, dance, communal disharmony, family disruption and above all, human love and compassion vividly in his plays. His plays speak to us in our situation and we tend to see the reflection of his characters in our society. . . . (59)
In Mahesh Dattani 's plays, the characters play a vital role to communicate to the audience. His characters are lively and true to life. Pathak ,Namrata remarks that Mahesh Dattani,“chooses to give birth to characters that are dynamic, very much living, animating, breathing, making choices in every juncture of their life, and accepting myriad influences on their inner and outer worlds . . . . ” (1)
For Hasmukh Mehta in Where There’s Will, marriage is a tragedy since his marital life is broken and fractured. He condemns his wife for her failure to provide him a good and healthy married life. Patriarchal domination is prominent in his character.

As far as Hasmukh is concerned, he is wasting money and is on his way to bankruptcy. He is satirical in his statement when he says, “. . . . God has just forgotten to open an account for him” (CP 456). Ajit does not blindly follow but disapproves his father’s views always. He strives with his father to create his identity till the end. Kiran respects his revolutionary spirit when she says, “He may not be the greatest rebel on earth, but at least he is free of his father’s beliefs. . . .” (CP 510) With Kiran’s help Ajit not only develop his business but simultaneously achieves his