The world’s a stage, and it's time to get your act together

It's the theatre artists, with their faces full of a myriad of expressions and body language that make the Indian theatre space one of the most vibrant and diverse there is around the globe. 

The first part of a Bazaar exclusive sees five fabulous theatre artists, all of them household names, shed light on their introduction to theatre, their favourite plays, and why nothing gives them more joy than doing what they do best—being on stage.

Kalki Koechlin: Actor

“I was once a sheep in the school Nativity play, but that didn’t deter me from taking part in school plays and drama festivals from a young age. It was my teacher, Miss Ruby Mangaldass, who suggested I pursue further studies in drama, and that seemed like the funnest way to face university, so I applied and got into Goldsmiths’ College in London. 

‘Do nothing, until you have to’: that’s what my theatre guru, Shaupon da taught me. And it’s the best advice I have received. I could get into character in many ways...it could be an accent, or a walk. But mostly, it’s just learning lines and showing up to rehearsals—the rehearsal space offers so much, the other actors, the director, that’s where you discover the character. 

Sometimes, I walk off the stage and can’t remember where I am for a second, then I realise I have to get some prop which then prompts me for the next scene. My favourite play would be the first one.

I wrote with Prashant Prakash, Skeleton Woman, not because we are such great writers but because it came from us, we knew it inside-out. I also truly enjoyed working with (director) Rehaan (Engineer) on Far Away by Carly Churchill. And I deeply admire Gulshan Devaiah, though he stopped doing theatre a long time ago and only works in films now. 

I get stage fright almost every time I’m about to go on stage... An energetic warm up helps, but still my stomach turns.” 

Jim Sarbh: Actor

“My first ever play was at the age of seven. It was Dig, Dig, Dig, Like a Wombat, in which I played the lead...a wombat. I acted in plays all through my schooling and college years, and while pursuing post-graduation, I secured an internship at a theatre in Atlanta. This ultimately led me to take it up professionally. Theatre, like everything else, is ever-evolving. But what’s thrilling about it is that it’s live. You sit with strangers, and watch people tell you a story. The strength of their belief and the skill of the production allows you to forget the rest of the audience, forget the stage and the lights, forget yourself, and be sucked into the spectacle unfolding before you. You see people as they are...stumbles, fumbles and all. You watch actors forgive themselves for any momentary slip and move on, and you forgive them and move on as well. You must sit there through it, you can’t check your phone, you can’t eat, you can’t pause it. It is a common experience. To me, the most important aspect of acting on stage is reacting...to yourself, to your co-actors, and to the audience.

I usually don’t get stage fright, especially if the play is well-rehearsed. If I am under-rehearsed, I calm my nerves by going for a jog, or by reading the script up until the moment I walk on stage. The best acting advice I have ever received is ‘acting is opposites’ by Tim McDonough. My favourite playwright is Edward Albee. And some of the plays I have been a part of and truly really enjoyed are The Zoo Story, Noises Off, Cock, Cleansed, What’s Done is Done, One Flea Spare, and Sea Wall. Something that I am looking forward to is Every Good Boy Deserves Favour by Tom Stoppard. It’s opening at The National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), Mumbai, and is an extremely ambitious play to stage since it involves an entire orchestra.” 

Shriya Pilgaonkar: Actor

“The first time I headlined a play was when I was in the fourth grade, where I acted in a play called Delnaz and the Chocolate Cake. My greatest draw was that we would rehearse with real chocolate cake...

Pursuing theatre wasn’t a conscious decision: as a trained Kathak dancer, I developed a deep love and passion for the stage. Also, I always enjoyed watching both Marathi and English plays at Prithvi Theatre. One day, a friend asked me to sing, act, and dance for a 10-minute role...I rehearsed for a month and realised I just wanted to be an actor! The beauty of performing in a play is that every day, you get to try something new and understand yourself better on stage. For me, the process begins with how well I understand the script and the director’s vision. Most of all, it is crucial to feel free and confident—your body is an instrument that will help you explore this space. You need to focus on building a connection with your audience—try to understand their energy. 

For years, theatre has been more than just a means for entertainment. Theatre can equally be a means to social commentary, for people to voice their opinions and express themselves. I think that is where the magic lies... It is the ability of the performer to just be themselves, truly. And as an audience, when you see that unfolding in front of you, you feel those emotions. It’s so intimate, that is why it is so powerful...it has the capability to stir something in you.” 

Namit Das: Stage performer

“To be honest, I never wanted to pursue theatre professionally...I aspired to be a singer. But that didn’t work out and I channelled all my energy into theatre. I remember being very nervous when I started out— the first-ever play I acted in was called Shadow Box, and my first professional play was Noises Off, directed by Atul Kumar. He opened up a new door for me, through which I was introduced to the arts in a very different way. 

The field has evolved immensely since I started out. Back in the day, theatre was used as a stepping stone to get into cinema, but now, actors have numerous avenues to practice their craft. The live experience is what makes theatre truly powerful. You feel alive when you’re on stage, and the audience, too, can feel the energy. When I perform, I focus on my awareness. When the audience is looking at me, I feel a sense of electricity passing through my body. I think when one is on stage, one is completely naked. And to be a versatile actor, one needs to have many experiences that can be used to channelise their character on stage. I have had the opportunity to work with some of the biggest stalwarts of contemporary theatre in Mumbai—their work truly speaks for themselves. My favourite director has to be Sunil Shanbagh: I have been following his work since 2006, and have had the opportunity to work with him as well. Also, Mira Nair...working with her has been an emotional journey I can’t explain in words.” 

Lillete Dubey: Actor

“By the age of 10, I began rigging up sheets on my terrace to make a stage curtain and putting up my own devised shows... I’d call (literally force!) the neighbourhood children to come and watch. Hopefully it’s less difficult to get audiences to come now!

Barry John inspired me to pursue theatre professionally. He introduced me to theatre in my college days at Lady Shri Ram College for Women and St. Stephen’s and I was hooked for life. Of course, I wasn’t sure I could do it professionally then, but the seed was sown. There is a lot more theatre today since then, and therefore, logically, a lot more good theatre. It’s definitely taken more seriously too, and pays somewhat better. But some things haven’t changed... Payments are not commiserate with the work put in—it’s a niche medium that can’t compete in reach to anything on-screen. So ultimately, theatre is a passion and practiced because you love it. 

I enjoy the immediacy of theatre; its freedom to explore subjects of every genre, those that other mediums are too scared to delve into, because they may not appeal to the largest common denominator. The best thing about acting is you get to walk in so many peoples’ shoes. It broadens your understanding of humanity and humbles you... 

I always get stage fright! If I don’t get nervous before a show, I know there’s something terribly wrong and I’m not going to give a good performance! Deep breathing normally helps to calm me down... My mentor Barry John gave the best advice: ‘Don’t act! Be truthful, spontaneous, become that character...’. I still follow it. 

I admire Naseer bhai (Naseeruddin Shah) for his talent and dedication to theatre. Also, the work of talented actresses like Dame Judi Dench, Emma Thompson, Meryl Streep, Dame Maggie Smith, and others who have straddled the stage and screen with great ease.” 

Lead image outfit on Kalki: White Organza AnkleLength Dress, ₹1,04,587, Bennu Sehgall. Shoes, ₹8,900, LYN. Diamond Studs, price upon request, Khanna Jewellers.

Credits: photographs by Neha Chandrakant, styling by Pranay Jaitly and Shounak Amounkar

Make-up: Krisann Figueiredo. Hair: Ankita Varkhade. Hair and Make-up Assistants: Virja Mehta and Jennifer Nazareth. Fashion Assistants: Shubham Jawanjal and Ankur Pathak. Production: Studio Gaba.