After charming viewers with the endearing role of Dadasaheb Phalke in the award winning Marathi film Harischandrachi Factory, Nandu Madhav is back - this time directing a troupe of Jalna farmers in the new Marathi play - SHIVAJI UNDERGROUND IN BHIMNAGAR MOHALLA. Based on Shahir Sambhaji Bhagat's songs, the play's portrayal of Shivaji resulted in a recent ban of a show in Parbhani district in Maharashtra. In this interview with Deepa Ranade, activist-actor-director, Nandu Madhav however affirms that the play casts Shivaji in a secular light and shows that he can still be relevant. The play is part of the NCPA's Pratibimb: Marathi Natya Utsav and will be staged on 6th August 2012. Click here for the preview.  Deepa Ranade Deepa Ranade (DR): You are better known as an actor. How did you get associated with the farmers' troupe from Jalna for this play? Nandu Madhav (NM): Professionally I call myself an actor but there are situations and circumstances that have often forced the mantle of director upon me. I have been associated with this Jalna group of farmers-cum-actors for over a decade now. I first came across them during a play competition. I was impressed with the issues they raised through their plays and with their spirit and enthusiasm. I ended up making two short films with them - 'Akda' (about pilfering of electricity by a hook - akda in Marathi) and 'Shwet Angaar' (about the issues concerning cotton farmers). Their themes are rustic but the presentation format is regular just like what we do here. It is not folk theatre. They put up their plays at the village chaupal or on a raised platform or on a stage - as may be the availability. DR: What made you direct SHIVAJI UNDERGROUND IN BHIMNAGAR MOHALLA? NM: The story of the play is based on Shahir Sambhaji Bhagat's songs which portray the real statesmanship of Shivaji Maharaj. The play probes Shivaji's valour beyond the chopping of Shaistakhan's fingers or crushing to death Afzal Khan. I also studied several books and conducted deep research on Shivaji. I offered to help the group as a consultant but they were hell bent that I should take up the reins as the director. I had liked the script and I knew I could pull it off. DR: Which new facets of Shivaji Maharaj does the play bring forth? NM: That Shivaji was a secular ruler and his foreign and agricultural policies are still relevant. He treated women as equals - he was truly a world-class leader with a vast vision. DR: How did you handle the situation when the Deputy Collector of Parbhani insisted on reading the script prior to the staging of the play in his jurisdiction? NM: The play has been reviewed and cleared by the Censor Board headed by Kamalakar Nadkarni. It wouldn't be right to re-review the play - that has been my stance. DR: When do these farmers find the time to rehearse? Also how many rehearsals could you coordinate with them? NM: They are farmers and small businessmen and part-time actors. It's a team of 26 with 13 actors, 3 actresses and 4 musicians. We had over 100 rehearsals in six months. They gather in the evenings after work and rehearse in the farms. We have live music in it and the climax jugalbandi is simply spectacular. DR: How did you find a producer for this unusual project? NM: All the producers who watched our play liked the enthusiasm and the commitment of the farmer-actors but none was ready to back us up. We decided to produce the play ourselves under the banner of Rangmala and Rahul Bhandare is helping us out. DR: The play has garnered a great response and it is also being showcased at NCPA's Pratibimb. That must be very rewarding for your troupe. NM: We have staged 15 shows in Mumbai and 10 shows in the rest of Maharashtra; we have had a great response thus far and a fabulous word-of-mouth publicity. We are getting many contract shows. Several years ago these boys had staged a play in the light of one flickering lantern in Mumbai and when the viewers commented that they liked the play but they had to strain their eyes to see what was happening on the stage - the boys had retorted, "We are struggling in darkness throughout our lifetime." Their plays are hard-hitting and bitingly realistic. DR: You are known as an activist actor in Marathi circles. You conduct acting workshops for rural children... NM: I like to work with theatre groups that take up social and scientific issues. I am a great fan of Dr Chavan's science-based children's theatre in Shirgaon. I like to learn from them. I remember a play about tiger conservation in which two children dressed as tigers burst out of a picture and tell their story. We also have a group which brings together various NGOs and activists on one platform to synergize their efforts - from adivasi NGOs, anti-dam activists, anti-female foeticide workers, conservationists, ecologists. We believe that all the problems and issues are inter-related and they have to be sorted out together. DR: What are your plans for theatre in the future? NM: I am always scouting for new issues and good projects - when things fall in place, I am always game for a good play. *Deepa Ranade is a film and theatre reviewer. 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