A musical satire with lots of politics

What happens when a roadside Romeo falls for a married woman? When rejected, he takes help from local politicians who make him into a national hero by making him go on a hungerstrike. Does he get her or does he end up as fodder for dirty politics, is what the musical satire Teri Meri Prem Kahani premiering at NCPA Centrestage Festival on 6th December is all about. dna's Yogesh Pawar caught up with the stalwart playwright-drector Om Katare for an interview:

In your 35-year association with theatre there is little you haven't done. Was a political satire necessary in an election year?
(Laughs) No we don't time our work with elections like that. The story was with me for many years and I've been meaning to build a play around it but something kept coming up. Now Centrestage needed a fresh new play and everything else just fell into place. The mood in the country is also
suitable. Look at how riots, floods, cyclones, rapes and even anti-corruption campaigns get politicised as our netas get busy scoring brownie points against each other.

 You have had a fairly long innings in theatre.
After I saw Sulabha and Arvind Deshpande’s Raktbeej at Prithvi I wasinspired to establish my theatre group Yatri. Our first hit play in 1979 ‘Ek Thha Gadha’ made people notice us. With Jungli Kabootar, Purush, Sakharam Binder we had arrived. But it took till 1992 when the resounding
success of  Abhi Toh Main Jawaan Hoon, for us to come into our own. which met with resounding success and after this play there was no looking back. The 60 house-full shows of Hadh Kardi Aapne in 1997 made me and Yatri respected in the Hindi theatre circuit and my dream of taking jy plays to the Tata theatre, Rangsharda or St. Andrews came true. Its been a long hard
struggle with my troupe but very fulifilling.

But recognition has taken its time finding you.
Well that is not one should hanker after. It can lead to bitterness and negativity. Of course who doesn't want awards and honour. They give you a sense that you are going in the right direction. But in the field of performing arts the people who decide and categories are quite subjective.
So its best to carry on with your work. After all the love from audiences and the way I have seen some of my proteges grow can be a source of great satisfaction.

Many stalwarts and even younger actors move to cinema with time. Didn't you ever feel like doing that?
Frankly no one has approached me with something as worthwhile to take it up. I don't grudge those who have made it big in cinema after leaving the stage . To each his own.

Many theatrepersons like Nana Patekar and Paresh Rawal are relegated to character roles in cinema because of their acting prowess but they get caught in a rut.
Yes its sad. Paresh Rawal is one of the finest actors that we have around. Villian, commedian, hero he can be anything. The kind of special touch he brings to every role comes from his deep understanding of the craft. His ocassional dabbling in theatre must of course help. But even the best of the actors can only do so much in terms of bringing something new to their role if they have to go on doing the same thing repeatedly.

There is also the lure of TV these days for young actors.
I have no issues with the medium. But look at what is showing as content. It makes old 70s and 80s shows from Doordarshan seem like classics. When someone young joins the group mentoring her or him continously can actually be quite a draining experience. One also gets attached to them like one's own children. I never stop anyone who wants to go but it can nevertheless be very painful.

Are many youngsters still wanting to do theatre?
Yes and it feels very refreshing to see this. Unfortunately despite all the access and technology they are so ill prepared. Anyone who aspires to be in theatre should read and watch many many plays. And this shouldn't be forced because one has nothing to do, but because one wants to do it more than anything else in the world.

Where:Experimental theatre, NCPA
When: December 6
Timing:7pm