No limits to experimenting

THEATRE LOVERS

Theatre has gifted many talented actors to the film and television industry. But once the actors enter the film industry, very few of them turn towards theatre again. Besides, due to the busy schedules in the film industry, they get less time for theatre activities. With a handsome pay and a stable career in films, most actors don’t feel the need to take up theatre again.

Interestingly, there are some actors who prefer theatre to films despite having ample opportunities in the latter. Their innate passion towards theatre has made them choosy in accepting film offers. They keep a good balance between the two fields without letting one medium to override the other.

Kishore Acharya, who shot to fame with Muttina Torana, a television serial where he plays a young entrepreneur, is highly passionate about theatre. As a member of Bangalore Little Theatre Group, he performs many plays. His affection for theatre is evident when he says, “There are many reasons for my love towards theatre. I started my acting career with theatre and it is my first priority over television and film. Theatre helps you understand the character you are going to enact and compels you to dig deeper into that character. With theatre being a real-time medium, until and unless you amalgamate yourself with your role, you don’t get the confidence to face the audience. I love to get an instant feedback,” says Kishore.

But he regrets about the lack of professional theatre in India which in turn, is causing the migration of talented actors to television and films. “Only a few professional groups are in good shape in India. To make a living out of theatre is difficult and unpredictable,” he

avers. 

Balaji Manohar, a creative director and actor feels that theatre cannot be replaced with any other medium as it has its own reach and potential for experimentation.

“Like a laboratory, there are no limitations for experimentation and improvement in theatre. You can do justice to a story and a character with least expenditure, whereas in film industry, lots of money goes into the production process and producers may not be willing dump popular stories. Hence, I give preference to theatre which is less expensive and flexible,” says Manohar.

Atul Kulkarni, who has won two national awards for his outstanding performances in films, says he won’t give up theatre at any cost.

“Being an actor, I do not discriminate between media. In films, the technological possibilities are high and the way a story is narrated in a film interests me. But when it comes to expressing yourself, theatre offers an excellent platform. Even though I have come from a theatre background, people across India recognise me through my films.

Films have given me name, money and identification. But theatre gives me self-recognition and helps me relive the characters,” says Atul.