Sarika turns theatre producer for Ira Khan's debut

She was last seen on the silver screen in Baar Baar Dekho in 2016 and since then, Sarika has been missing in action. She moved away from acting and has been working in theatre, albeit backstage, for two-and-a-half years. The actress has now taken the plunge as a producer under the banner NautankiSa Productions. Joining her in the venture are her younger daughter Akshara Haasan and friend Sachin Kamani. While they have already started working on a Hindi play, their maiden production will be Aamir Khan’s daughter Ira Khan’s debut directorial play, Euripides’ Medea. Here, Sarika tells us why she has taken a break from acting and the idea behind launching her production house.   

What made you take a sabbatical from acting and move to theatre?

There were no exciting scripts and roles being offered to me. Instead of complaining and waiting for a good script, something we actors usually end up doing, I thought taking a break and doing something I had not done before was a better idea. That new space was theatre, which I’ve always loved but only as an audience. Unlike films, here I was the outsider and today, after two-and-a-half years, I am part of the theatre family in a small way and so happy. It is one of my good calls.

How did your collaboration with Ira come about? 

I was already working on a Hindi play, so, I was completely in producer mode when Ira called and said she wanted me to act in her play. I didn’t want to act, so instead, I offered to produce it. Ira is like my own baby and if she wanted me to be part of this, I was definitely in. Also, I liked her approach, her vision of the play and was confident about her as a director. It’s interesting to see how a young woman of today looks at the complexities of a woman from 431 B, C, E.

Akshara Haasan with Sarika

How is the experience of working with your daughter Akshara Haasan?

It is a wonderful feeling to have Akshara on board, there is so much love. She is busy with her film assignments, and I’m hoping this is something that will grow on her. Whenever she is not shooting, she is a hands-on producer. She is comfortable being a vanity-van actor as well as being a producer buying vada pav for production.

What was the idea behind launching your banner?

It was a casual conversation with my friend Sachin Kamani. He said something about producing a play and it just hit me. Why was I only thinking in terms of producing cinematic content; why not plays? It was the perfect blend of creativity and a space I love. Unlike a film set where even if we want to we cannot be under one tent, theatre is like a family -- all together, sharing, creating with great teamwork and warmth.