Mahesh Dattani’s provocative drama “Final Solutions” explores the intricacies of intercommunal strife in Indian society. The tale explores the effects of historical events and human decisions on people and communities through a sequence of interconnected stories.

Act 1:

Daksha, a recently married girl, writes in her journal in 1948 when the play opens. Despite India’s freedom, Daksha shows displeasure with her in-laws and the restricted life she leads within the house. She loves to sing, but familial obligations keep her from following her aspirations. Daksha makes friends with Zarine, a Muslim girl, and they become close because they both enjoy music.

After thereafter, the action moves to Gujarat in the present, when intercommunal tensions are rising. Daksha’s granddaughter Smita gets a call informing her that her friend Tasneem’s dormitory has been bombed. Javed and Bobby, two Muslim youngsters, take sanctuary in Ramanik’s home in order to avoid a hostile Hindu mob. A heated standoff results from Ramanik’s refusal to comply with the mob’s demands that the youngsters be turned over.

Act 2:

Smita discloses that Bobby is her fiancé and Javed is Tasneem’s brother. Ramanik’s wife, Aruna, is uneasy having Muslims in their home and wants them to leave. Ramanik tells the tale of his grandfather’s post-partition death at the hands of a Muslim mob. Ramanik extends a job offer to Javed despite the tensions, but Smita objects, disclosing Javed’s prior affiliation with a terrorist group.

Javed acknowledges that he was once part of a plot to kill a Hindu priest, but that he changed his mind while carrying out the plan. Smita apologises for disclosing Javed’s secret, and Ramanik, impressed by Javed’s narrative, praises him for being brave.

Act 3:

The outside crowd steps up its assault on Ramanik’s residence. Bobby tells the story of how Javed took revenge after being mistreated by a neighbour who was Hindu. If Javed and Bobby reject the job offer, Ramanik says he’ll call the police. Javed discloses his prior participation in the scheme to murder the priest, which he finally decided not to carry out.

Smita and Aruna debate about serving water to the visitors, bringing up issues related to their respective religions. Unexpectedly, Bobby, Javed, and Smita overcome the difficulties in the community by finding common ground and enjoying happy moments together. The play ends with unsolved social difficulties, leaving both the audience and the characters to consider how difficult it is to live together in a varied community.

“Final Solutions” is a nuanced reflection on the difficulties of coexisting in a heterogeneous society through a dramatic examination of communalism, personal biases, and the cyclical cycle of violence.