Seniors start ‘acting up’

While theatre group Ekjute, led by veteran thetare person Nadira Zaheer Babbar, conducts several theatre workshops per year, a conscious effort is made to keep one distinct from the other.

For the current season’s workshop, Nadeera has invited her former students, those who have made a name for themselves on the big screen, to come enlighten the participating young theatre enthusiasts about their experiences while learning the finer nuances of acting and encourage the learners to give their best.

Nadira Zaheer Babbar says, “This season’s workshop will see actors like Perizaad Kola, Perizaad Zorabian, Sushma Reddy and others talking to the workshop participants.” Hanif Patni from the group points out, “Apart from them, people associated with us like director Anant Manhadevan will teach the participants about the relation between film and theatre. He will also teach how to handle a camera in films as well as television.”

Patni also points out that several screen actors who trained with Ekjute, themselves direct aspiring actors for the group’s regular workshops. He says, “Our alumni send aspiring actors to us. They want to narrate to people how each of them benefited from acting workshops. They will talk about certain techniques, about how to acquire confidence on the stage.”

Interestingly, Patni points out that attending workshops and interacting with veteran actors helps a lot to overcome personal inhibitions. He recalls how Perizaad Zorabian overcame her inhibitions before her on-screen debut. “Perizaad came to us before her debut film Jogger’s Park. Her Hindi was really bad. But she was a hard worker. She grasped whatever was taught very well. As teacher’s we don’t mind when students ask too many questions. She was curious and eventually her Hindi speaking skills became good.”

Ekjute’s workshop for young adults starts from June 19.