STORIES IN A SONG by Sunil Shanbag enhanced my musical sensibility. It was something different from the regular plays one sees these days.
Your favourite adda to see a play?
Prithvi Theatre
Your favourite playwright?
Mohan Rakesh and Vijay Tendulkar
Your favourite play-character?
Vilom from Mohan Rakesh's ASHAAD KA EK DIN
A play you would like to see filmed. Why?
PAGLA GHODA by Badal Sarkar because the magic that it created on stage can surely be recreated on the screen as well.
A novel/short story you would like to see on stage? Why?
'Pili Chatri Wali Ladki' by Uday Prakash has a lot of drama that can be shown beautifully on stage.
The most hilarious play you have seen?
The Marathi play VASTRAHARAN because of its comic elements and its actors.
A play, which is over-hyped?
THE WATER STATION
An important play (but ignored)?
CHAARPAI directed by the Late Shri Alkhnandan ji from Bhopal
A classical play that you should have read?
MRICHHAKATIKAM by Shudraka
A play that changed your perception about the theatre?
UTTARA RAMA CHARITH written by Bhavabhuti and directed by Prasanna at the National School of Drama.
How do you regard the Mumbai theatre scene?
Theatre in Mumbai is not the only face of theatre in India. Various people are doing great productions in different parts of the country. Well known faces and celebrities tend to hype plays and they get promoted. But many important plays are completely ignored due to lack of funding or support from the media.
Have you read any interesting books/articles concerning the theatre? Why did you find them interesting?
'Padhte Sunte Dekhte' by Devendra Raj Ankur. He has done a lot of research on theatre and how its future is going to be.
Your favourite director/actor/music or set designer?
A significant Indian production that you have witnessed?
GHASIRAM KOTWAL directed by Rajinder Nath (An NSD repertory production)
Life in the theatre without the humble batata-wada or the cutting chai... or can you recall the best gastronomic experience you've had in the precincts of the theatre to date?
I had been invited for a theatre festival in West Bengal known as Tepanter National Theatre Festival. The festival was organized by a group of farmers who are also great theatre artists. A part of the village had been beautifully converted into a theatre arena and the authentic Bengali cuisine cooked there is something I can never forget.