Saurabh Shukla, known for his versatile cameos in Hindi films, has written a new Hindi play called BARFF. He has also directed it, and acts in it too. The play has just had its premiere at the Tata theatre. We take the opportunity to speak to him.  By Deepa Punjani Deepa Punjani (DP): How and when did the story for BARFF come to you? What made you think that it could be a play? Saurabh Shukla (SS): So this idea started some three years ago and I never thought of doing a play then. I wanted to make a film. I wrote a feature film and there are people who are taking this ahead to make a film. Meanwhile I got a call from Bharat Rang Bhavan for a play, so I thought it would be a great idea to stage it as a play - as an original Hindi thriller. DP: Kashmir's situation since Partition has been fraught and delicate. Many writers and artistes have talked about Kashmir and its crisis. What themes does your play engage with in Kashmir's context? SS: Well, I think we all share this common belief that Kashmir is the most beautiful place on earth, but because of the political situation there, fear is the constant factor which creates suspicion. At the very core of the story, the play talks about that unknown fear and suspicion. It's about very common people caught in the whirlwind. The land and place fitted the plot of the story. Though it's not a political play, it's not free form the politics of the land. DP: Is this your first piece of creative writing or have you written earlier too? SS: No. I have written other plays as well. TWO TO TANGO THREE TO JIVE is one of them. DP: Did BARFF involve any research? SS: Yes. All writing involves research. Here the research was about Psychology. Some medical research was done as there is this protagonist who is a doctor, and one of the characters is going through some psychological problems. There was research about Kashmir and its people. DP: In the process of writing the play, did you discover anything different or new about yourself? SS: Yes, I did. A play finally forms an ideology or a philosophy and for a director, it's very important to realise that. I thought I had it in me but I needed to articulate that and found the truth as a performer and a director. DP: How long did it take you to write the play? Did you share it with anybody or take their suggestions? SS: It took me three years. Any piece of work goes through people who are involved - actors and the production team. There was an idea and we needed to bring that idea on stage. I also narrated the play to a close group of people and took their suggestions. DP: You are a well-known film actor but now the theatre and film community and your audience will see you in the triple roles of a playwright, director and actor. Does that make you tense? SS: Yes I'm excited, although I have written, directed and acted before. I never get tense because it's an exciting opportunity to multi-task. 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