‘Learning Kathak was tough’: Gautam Rode

Fans of television actor Gautam Rode now have another avenue to watch his acting prowess. The actor, who rose to fame with shows such as Saraswatichandra and Maha Kumbh: Ek Rahasaya among others, will be seen making his debut on stage with the play Aarohi, being directed by Salim Akhtar. Accompanying him on stage are Ravi Jhankal, Dhaani Jhankal and Mita Vashisht. Talking to us about his foray into the world of theatre, Gautam says it’s been a welcome change for him and the process has encouraged him to take up more work on stage. He tells us more...

FIRSTS TO HIS CREDIT

There are many firsts in this one for me. Firstly, this is my debut on stage. 

Secondly, I’m not a dancer but I have learnt Kathak for one-and-a-half months for the play. I will be doing a two-minute Kathak solo piece, where I will be joined by the actress playing the younger Aarohi, who is a trained Kathak dancer! She’s been doing it from the age of two! So, I have to match up to her. Thirdly, the character I’m playing is new for me. He is an opportunist who considers dance to be a way for him to achieve success and fame. I age from 25 to 60 in the play, so that again, is a big challenge. So yes, I have picked up a tough one for my debut (laughs)!

KATHAK’S NUANCES

Acting is my passion but learning Kathak was tough. Whatever little dancing I have done has been for shows. But Kathak is a proper dance form and I can’t mess this up. Initially, it was difficult but today I’m slightly more comfortable with the form. I know the steps now, it’s the ease and grace I need to come across as a professional Kathak dancer. 

LEARNING NEW THINGS

As actors, we crave to learn. Here, I have learnt two-three surs in terms of performance which I have never used before. So, theatre has been a learning for me and I’m loving it. For us, who do TV and get the script the same day or a few minutes before the shot, here you have to keep at it and you can find different things to do within that script itself. That’s been a big bonus for me. 

Aarohi premieres at St Andrew’s Auditorium on June 29 at 7.30 pm.