‘Drama is emotionally relieving’

Opening three brand new productions on back-to-back weekends is no mean task. That too, when producers are taking every step cautiously to gauge current cash-strapped situation. Director and actor Darshan Jariwala has taken matters into his own hands. Though he candidly admits that odds are high, Darshan feels that it is time to shrug off complacency as an actor on the stage and don the hat of a producer.

With three new plays under his arm, the Hindi Tera Pati Sirf Mera Hai, the English Conditions Apply and Ramesh Aaakhi Raat in Gujarati, Darshan reminds us that the current economic situation is optimum for entertainment on stage. He explains, “Since the recession hit Mumbai, the value of entertainment can be well realised. Though it is true that the tension marking the premier of a new play can be mind-numbing, people prefer to dwell in a form of alternate reality.” He points out how theatre can actually flourish during these times, “Drama is a hot medium, where the audience can react. Watching drama on stage can be very emotionally relieving.”

Interestingly, while the Hindi and English plays are essentially comedies, the Gujarati play is based on the works of legendary Gujarati poet Ramesh Parekh for which, on the request of the director of the play Mihir Bhuta, Darshan will be making a special appearance on the stage. Ramesh Aakhi Raat is based on the characters of Meera Bai and Ala Khachar. Darshan says, “I wasn’t planning to act at all in the play. But the director thought that a few verses penned by the scholar should be read out to the audience to introduce his works to them. Hence, I will be making a cameo on the stage to recite those lines.”

Darshan is of the opinion that among all genres of theatre, comedy seems to be selling the most in the city. He admits that while his English and Hindi plays are commercial entertainers, the Gujarati play might prove to be tricky at the box office. He laughs, “I have roped in Mandira Bedi for Conditions Apply, and the Hindi play is also a comedy.
I am hoping to make enough returns to make up for the losses on the Gujarati stage if the audience rejects it.”

Mandira’s in on the act too
It will be Mandira Bedi’s comeback to the English theatre stage after her much successful Anything But Love with co-star Samir Soni.

Vikrant Pawar will be directing Mandira in Conditions Apply, a dark comedy that Darshan describes as “bitter chocolate.” However, while the earlier play was a comedy about love, this one will be a comedy of pain, a duet of loneliness.

Roping in Mandira for the play was easy, says Darshan. He says, “Mandira is very interested in theatre. Given her busy schedule, we have been rehearsing for four months to make time for the play.”