Indian theatre has much to thank Shashi Kapoor for
The Prithvi Theatre, which he set up with his wife, is a unique space: It embraces all kinds of ideas and people
Overa nd above the charming chocolate- boy lover in mainstream cinema, the unforgettable phrase“mere pa as maa hai” in the film Deewar (1975) and the gems of meaningful cinema to which he committed his money, Sh ashiKa poor has left behind a splendid legacy: Pri th vi Theatre.
For culture patrons, Prithvi feeds the soul. For practitioners of theatre, it is a place where they will be nurtured and showcased with pride. For travelling troupes, a temporary home; for budget theatre, a stage. For artist es, Pri th viisw here pr et en ce scan be dropped and interactions with audiences and artistes can become rich. Here’s where Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah, Nadira Zaheer Babb ar, Dine sh Th akur,M aka rand Deshpan de, Su nil Sh an bag showed–and continue to show – their work. For music aficionados, it is among the best bait ha k-style spaces in the city. On special nights such February 28, Us tad Zak ir H us a in unveils a music evening, which he curates and perform sin an intimate environment. It’s his gift to the late Jennifer Kapoor who passed away that day in 1984.
Every year, Sh ashiKa poor would beat the Pri th vi, welcoming invitees and making notes without caring about his star status. In later years, he would be there in his wheelchair, smiling and allow in gs el fies. His special chair would be wheeled in after the last bell and placed near an exit. Pri th vi wash is and Jennifer’s space, a legacy they built for their parents: Pri th vi rajKapoo rand Laura-Geoffrey Kendall. Pri th vi is a small auditorium, accommodating only 200-220 people. Tickets are priced under Rs 500, seating is on a first-comefirst-served basis, and new groups can afford slots. Yet, it stands defiantly in upscale Juhu.
All this might not have been possible without S hash i and Jenn if erKapoor’ s dedication, money, time and energy. Prithviraj Kapoor had atravelling repertorycalled Prithvi Theatres since 1944. By the 1960s, he wanted a “home” for the troupe. The state leased him the plot in Juhu but Kapoor could not build anything before he passed away in 1972. S has hi and Jennifer took the plunge. The theatre was their shared dream. Much hard work later, the Pri th vi Theatre opened in 1978. After their mother’s death, Sanjna and Kunal built on their parents’ work. The Prithvi Theatre complex doesn’t have gates. It is because, as Sh ashiKa poor once told me, a theatre should be open and welcoming, willing to embrace all ideas and people, and make them its own.
Come rain or shine, the lights come on at Prithvi every evening (except Mondays). They did even on February 28,1984, when Jennifer passed away. Sh ashiKa poor wanted it that way. He breathed his last on December 4. The lights stayed off. His place near the exit is vacant now but his spirit remains in Prithvi.