From playing a shy, virginal maiden in Vaikom Mohammed Basheer's ME GRANDAD 'AD AN ELEPHANT to the bold, multilayered and challenging potrayal of a woman seeking her own in Ramu Ramanathan's SHAKESPEARE AND SHE, Ahlam Khan has travelled a considerable distance in her actor's journey. Daughter of the late and famous Bollywood actor Amjad Khan, Ahlam chose things differently from her peers in Bollywood. In the year 2000, she graduated from Mumbai University with a Masters in English Literature. Theatre as she knows now first happened while she was a student at the University. Over the years she has done a variety of plays, including her own productions, and has worked with different directors such as Makrand Deshpande and Akarsh Khurana. Her talent has received greater attention, and this year the META (The Mahindra Awards for Excellence in Theatre) jury has awarded her the best actress award for her performance in Purva and Vijay Naresh's AAJ RANG HAI.
Deepa Punjani
Tell us about your background in the theatre. How did it all begin?
There was the one off inter collegiate play while I was a student at Mithibai college. But it was only when I was studying for my Masters degree at the University of Mumbai that my initiation into theatre really began. Ramu Ramanathan came to our English Dept. to form a play reading group. We worked on adapting Vaikom Mohammed Basheer's novella, "Me Grandad 'ad an Elephant", and staging it. The play worked, which was not very surprising, and we went on to do a number of shows at different venues all over the city, including performing for supper theatre, a concept which was pretty popular at the time. That was that. We worked well together as a team and went on to do two more productions together.
Since ME GRANDAD... you have almost consistently worked as an actor on the professional stage. Was there a turning point?
When we started out with Not Quite There, we were still students. It took a while for us to find our feet and figure what it was we really wanted to do. After the initial few years on stage, I got into writing for screen. So naturally, that kept me away from the stage and from theatre. Perhaps when I wasn't physically around it led people to believe I wasn't acting anymore. Guess it took me a while to figure this was where I really wanted to be. Now, I'm here to stay!
Overtime you have worked with different groups on stage. What has made you done so?
In order to grow as an actor, one has to work with different directors, each with a different perspective and outlook. Also the dynamics of every new group you work with are so different from the other. The energies are different, methods of working, rehearsing, actor-director, actor-co actor dynamics... everything is so different and it makes for an extremely eclectic and enriching experience. And isn't that what so much of acting is about? Experiencing. Having said that, I have been extremely fortunate with regard to the directors I have worked with - each one outstanding in his own right.
You produced some work under the banner of Not Quite Theatre, a group that you co-founded with fellow students at Mumbai University. Are you not planning on producing more plays of your own?
We founded Not Quite There over a decade ago, after which those involved, got busy with their respective careers. But after a bit of a lull, we've just returned with a new play titled 'Off Season', at the Kala Ghoda festival earlier this year in February. Let's see how things pan out for us here on. Fingers crossed!
Does running your own group compromise the work that you would like to do as an independent actor? Can the two interests co-exist?
It works both ways. When you're running a theatre group which isn't big and outright commercial, it isn't easy to get the venues or the actors of your choice. We all know there is a dearth of spaces and dates in this city, so it does get extremely taxing and tedious to constantly apply for dates and follow up on them. But that's not to say that the two can't co-exist - of course they can; it just takes a bit more work and co-operation from everyone concerned. And that is something that we've all decided to consciously do from now on. Not that I'm complaining; I am very happy for the work coming my way and honestly, I can't get enough of it!
Children from Bollywood families have been known to make their big debut on the silver screen. It is unusual that you chose otherwise...
I can understand how this has become a cliche associated with kids from film families, but you know, I do believe this is not true just for us. Most people today look at theatre as a stepping stone to movies or television. And that's alright if that's the choice they want to make. Let's face it that sadly in theatre there is little or no money; at least in the kind of theatre where one's own sensibilities lie. Also, another thing that works against theatre is the lack of glamour, fame or glitz. As an actor there are times I admit when I would like my work or the work of my colleagues on stage to reach out to more people because so much of it I believe is path breaking work. That said, the film industry has never held any fascination or allure for me. Maybe that is because I've seen it up close. I chose theatre and yes it was a conscious decision. And I intend to stay here for a very, very long time. And no, theatre is not a stepping stone for me :)
Is there anyone you look up to? Someone who may have influenced your journey as an actor?
Ramu Ramanathan introduced me to theatre when I was doing my M.A. He has been a major influence in my development as an actor, and I've done some of my best work under him.
What does it take to be an actor?
An audience :)
Directors you would like to work with...
Julie Taymor (Lion King - the Musical), Trevor Nunn (Cats) :) And back home, my directors' wish list is slowly but steadily getting fulfilled.
Do you feel that our theatre has challenging roles for women?
That would really depend on how seriously you take yourself as an actor. You could be given a small cameo in a huge ensemble and still shine through. I would really not like to make distinctions based on gender here but what I will say is that a role is as challenging for you as you make it. If you want to just take what you're given and be happy with that, that's fine. Works for some people. Not for me. I feel the need to push myself, the role, the character - everything - without compromising the text of course. If in spite of all of that I find there's nothing I can add to a piece as an actor or a character, I'd rather not take it on.
A Role you would die for...
Can't think of any single role in isolation. If it's a strong part; a crucial character with scope to perform, I'm up for it!
Tell us about your background in the theatre. How did it all begin?
Does running your own group compromise the work that you would like to do as an independent actor? Can the two interests co-exist?
What does it take to be an actor?
