1) DURVAS BHOJAN- In Marathi (in Dashawataar folk form) by Anganwadi Natya Mandal. 2) SANGEET DEVBABHALI- in Marathi, directed and written by Prajakta Deshmukh; Bhadrakali production. 3) THE MAIDS - in English, written by Jean Genet, Translated by Bernard Frechtman; directed by Omkar Bhatkar; Metamorphosis theatre Inc. production.
Your favourite 'adda' to see a play
1) Gadkari Rangaytan at Thane. 2) Shivaji Mandir at Dadar. 3) St. Andrew's Centre for Philosophy and Performing arts (SAPP) at Bandra.
1) Ganpat Ramchandra Belwalkar (NATSAMRAT) written by V.V. Shirwadkar and directed by Hrushikesh Joshi. 2) Hamlet (HAMLET) written by William Shakespeare. 3) Sakharam Binder (SAKHARAM BINDER) written by Vijay Tendulkar and directed by Kamlakar Sarang.
A play you would like to see filmed. Why?
1) Marathi play ANANYA, written and directed by Mr. Pratap Phad, because it sensitively deals with people who have been in an accident. It was a very inspirational play. 2) Marathi play NOVEMBERCHA PAUS (in English - THE STORM), which is written and directed by Dr. Omkar Bhatkar. It has been translated into Marathi by Pratibha Joshi. The story is well crafted and will make a good story on screen as well. A novel/short story you would like to see on stage? Why?
Mrutyunjay by Shivaji Sawant. It is a biography of Karna, who was ignored by the Pandavas in the Mahabharata. The novel is about his tribulations.
The most hilarious play you have seen
1) VASTRAHARAN- a Malvani iconic comedy play written by Gangaram Gavankar and directed by Machindra Kambli. 2) AMAR PHOTO STUDIO- a Marathi play written by Manasvini Lata Ravindra and directed by Nipun Dharamadhikari.
A play, which is over-hyped
AE MAYAVI SAROVAR written by Dr. Shankar Shesh and directed by Salim Arif in 2018.
An important play (but ignored)
Plays by Awishkar, Metamorphosis, Abhinay Kalyan and by other experimental theatre groups.
A play character you would like to "dialogue" with
I would like to dialogue with Sakharam Binder from the Marathi play SAKHARAM BINDER, written by Vijay Tendulkar, and directed by Kamlakar Sarang.
A passage from an important play that you can recite
" Kuni ghar deta ka ghar" from NATSAMRAT written by V.V. Shirwadkar, directed by Hrushikesh Joshi.
A classical play that you should have read
A Marathi play called EKACH PYALA, written by Ram Ganesh Gadkari
A play that changed your perception about the theatre
1) GHASHIRAM KOTWAL written by Vijay Tendulkar, directed by Rajinder Nath. 2) SAKHARAM BINDER written by Mr. Vijay Tendulkar and directed by Mr. Kamlakar Sarang.
How do you regard the Mumbai theatre scene?
Leading websites like Mumbai Theatre Guide that provide in-depth information, reviews, interviews, and feature articles, provide a bird's eye-view of the theatre scene in Mumbai.
Have you read any interesting books/articles concerning the theatre? Why did you find them interesting?
Yes...The Marathi book "Choukat Digdarshanachi" written by Kumar Sohoni. The book comprehensively covers the National School of drama courses. All theatre people should read this book.
If you have ever been a part of a theatre production/s, can you recall an event that was insightful, significant or simply humorous?
I remember one incident when I had a solo performance on a weekday and not a single ticket was sold . We were planning to cancel the show but we still arranged the set. We decided that even if one person comes we will stage the show. Finally 5 minutes prior to the show time, 15 to 20 people came and my solo performance was on. The play was STORY OF A LIGHT OPERATOR, written and directed by Omkar Bhatkar.
Your favorite director/actor/music or set designer:
All those people who have never lived without doing plays are my favorites. Among them, my favourite Music Directors are Jitendra Abhisheki and Ashok Patki. Favorite Set designers are Pradeep Muley and Omkar Bhatkar.
A significant Indian production that you may have witnessed:
All productions byBhadrakali.
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?
Rehearsals or performance without "Cutting Chai" is not possible at all! And kadak chai makes performance more kadak☺