Now it's them
Ab Hamaari Hai Baari? well, now it is the turn of Sangeeta Gupta. Alumnus of Department of Theatre and Television, Punjabi University, Patiala, she bounces back into theatre after a brief hiatus of eight years.
Ab Hamaari Hai Baari? well, now it is the turn of Sangeeta Gupta. Alumnus of Department of Theatre and Television, Punjabi University, Patiala, she bounces back into theatre after a brief hiatus of eight years. Wielding the directorial baton for play Ab Hamaari Hai Baari, written by Sarveshwar Dayal Saxena, she shares, ?I spent many years in Mumbai, working as an assistant director for serials like Mulk and Tumhaari Disha and also for two small-budget movies like Shaque and Dharam Shakti. But beyond a point, I realised there wasn?t more to learn. More so, I wasn?t fitting into the cultural moral ethos of the Tinsel Town?. So roots beckoned and now in her home state, she intends to devote herself fulltime to cause of theatre. Hmmm! But establishing oneself in the realm of theatre, that too in this city almost apathetic towards local groups, hasn?t she put herself into unenviable position? And she points towards theatreperson Dr Sahib Singh (incidentally he plays the lead in her play) - ?together we will contribute towards a theatre movement?. But, yes, she does contend, ?I am aware that theatre isn?t a cakewalk but then I possess an additional edge... I can market theatre?. Not surprising then that for her very first play, she has managed to rope in three sponsors. But why this particular play? And she unwinds back in time, ?decade ago, I did a tiny bit part in the department production of the same play and was so smitten that I always wanted to direct it one day?. Besides, she says, ?steeped in the nautanki style amalgamating dance (choreographed by a professional Shweta Sood), music (composed by Jatinder Shah ) and drama, here?s a socially relevant theatrical statement. A wake-up call that we hope shall make people realise people?s power, make them conscious that they alone decide their fate?. Seriously, can theatre awaken consciences; does it possess that kind of potency? She nods in the affirmative. In fact her play employing Brechtian wisdom, ?let audiences carry the tension home?, sifts from one mood to another. She adds, ?a whole lot of comedy too is there. People will laugh but not without fathoming the underlying import?. But in times when TV offers round the clock entertainment, let?s hear her marketing USP for play. And the repartee is simple ? ?jo theatre mein maza hai kahin nahi?. So check out the live power of theatre in which she reposes tremendous faith and promises to live up to her convictions.On July 4, at Tagore theatre, 7 pm. Entry free.
