Amma Bi, an elderly widow residing alone within the confines of her deserted Lucknow haveli, experiences an enigmatic occurrence daily. As the clock strikes 3 o’clock in the afternoon, unfamiliar footsteps echo through the air. Each time, Amma Bi cautiously peers outside, only to find the space devoid of any presence. Slowly consumed by a rising sense of unease, she contemplates a move to an elderly care facility. However, a turning point arrives with the arrival of Sabiha, a youthful and enchanting woman who becomes Amma Bi’s lodger. Sabiha’s entrance infuses Amma Bi’s solitary world with a newfound warmth of affection and bouts of laughter. Even Jumman, the household assistant, undergoes a remarkable transformation.
Yet, as fate weaves its threads, Sabiha finds herself entangled in a predicament, necessitating Amma Bi to summon her concealed reserves of both resourcefulness and compassion. In this stirring narrative titled ‘Dopehri,’ Pankaj Kapur, a revered figure in film and theater, unfolds his inaugural novel. It radiates a mesmerizing charm, subtle wit, and understated strength, eliciting a profound connection from readers who will undoubtedly be captivated by its narrative allure.
