It was requests made in visitor’s comment books of Mahabanoo Mody-Kotwal and Kaizaad Kotwal’s stage production of Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues that led to the Hindi and Marathi versions of the play. Audience members have often come backstage with confessions about genital mutilation or marital rape; some fall at the Kotwals’ feet overcome with emotion. The comments in the guestbooks are as heartfelt as the play, which has often been barred from the stage.

“Excellent. I’m inspired to make my boyfriend talk to my vagina.”
 Poornima M

“Just gifted this performance on our wedding anni[versary]... watched for 5 times B4. It just gets better especially the moaning and groaning of Jayati [Bhatia]. Just Keep It Up (I mean Down).”
Tanu & Mukesh

“Gave a reason to me for respecting women and I am serious.”
Himanshu G

“As men, particularly in a society like that of India, we really do not come across ‘sources’ where we get to hear the other side of the story. And that too portrayed so beautifully. Thanks.”
Pratyush

“An ecstatic celebration of womanhood. Thanks. PS You can’t sensitise about violence in such a light vein!”
Debjani

“Being a gynaec, looking at women’s vaginas telling me stories of their emotions, anger, sorrow, love, happiness – never thought somebody would put it in better words!”
Dr Meenu A

“Went from MCP to VCR i.e. Male Chauvinist Pig to Vaginas Completely Rule! Cheers!”
Abbas B

“Aggressive but at times seemed pointless.”
Dr Ashish

“I have not seen such a human expression of private parts in public.”
Dr Chudguru

“I have four daughters, last year I held a mirror to them and showed them their vaginas and re-affirmed all that you just said in your play!”
Kiran S

“Thank you! A postgrad married for 10 years, mother of 2 and today you made me realise what a wonderful thing I have been carrying around all this time. My wonderful pulsating throbbing alive beautiful fragrant vagina.”
Ritu G

“It was fun screaming out “CUNT” and “VAGINA” with my mother, uncles, aunts and cousins!!! I’ve waited 40 years to do that. Thanks.”
Amola H, Pune  

“Did not beat around the ‘bush’!”
Lt Col Govind T (Retd)

“Call me backward if you want, but it was ATROCIOUS!”
Sudarshan

“I can say it now, I can feel it now, I don’t know whether I can celebrate it yet.”
Purabi D

“Wow. I brought 6 clients with me. All are from S. Africa and are here for egg donation for gay couples. They LOVED it! I also suffered a miscarriage 3 weeks ago. I hated my body for weeks...because of you I will now endeavour to LOVE MY VAGINA again!!! Hopefully next time I am in India, will be with my baby. YOU ARE INSPIRATIONAL!!”
Sophie P