| Bombay Flower | |
| Characters: | Rattanbai Jinnah |
| Setting: | Bombay during British India |
| Place: | National Centre for the Performing Arts, Mumbai |
| Orig Lang: | Gujarati |
| Subject: | Rattanbai Jinnah |
| Genre: | Biographical drama |
Bombay Flower is a 2023 play about Ruttie Petit Jinnah, wife of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, written by Geeta Manek and directed by Manoj Shah.
Bombay Flower was premiered at National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) on 26 March 2023.[1] The stage duration of the play is 120 minutes. The script of the play is based on books Mr. and Mrs. Jinnah: The Marriage that Shook India by Sheela Reddy and Ruttie Jinnah: Ek Alag Drashtikon Rajendra Mohan Bhatnagar.[2]
The original cast included:[2] [3]
Bombay Flower is dedicated to Parsi theatre, which gave rise to the modern theatre of India and laid the foundation of Gujarati theatre. The play is focused on Ratanbai "Ruttie" Petit-Jinnah, who was referred to as 'The Flower of Bombay' by the high society of Bombay. Ruttie revolts against her family and society. The play tries to dwell deeply into the matter regarding the elements that inspire the educated and capable youth to make such decisions. The political circumstances of that time, a thought regarding the origin of Pakistan, the mentality of poet Iqbal implanted in the mind of Jinnah, etc.; historical matters are woven in the plot of the play.
Deepa Gahlot writes that the "play portrays Ruttie not as a giddy teen flattered by the attentions of a stylish, sophisticated man and rising political star, but a well-read young woman, who wanted to be a part of the freedom struggle and stand by her husband in his fight for Independence".[4]