Hindustan Times (Lucknow) - Hindustan Times (Lucknow) - Live
WRONG NUMBER CAN BE FUN!
Theatre gets actor Delnaaz Irani a big high. “Like someone gets a high with smoke or drink, I get it with theatre! I started at 17, from backstage, then theatre to TV and films, but the kind of ‘kick’ I get here is phenomenal. TV gives us bread and butter, films make history but it’s theatre which has been and will remain my first love,” says the actor ahead of her play Wrong Number in Lucknow.
The play will be staged at Sangeet Natak Academy on Friday and has actors Rakesh Bedi, Avtar Gill, Kashmira Shah, Kishwar Merchant, Rajesh Puri and Rahul Bhuchar in its belly.
On working in theatre, Kashmira says, “This is instant gratification. In earlier days, the feedbacks were delayed but now with social media the feedback is immediate.” In the play, she will be playing a ‘spicy and humorous character’.
The actor has done many plays in the state capital. This also happens to be her hubby Krushna Abhishek’s hometown. “So my connection with the city is very special,” she adds.
The play has been directed by Raman Kumar, who directed films like Saath Saath, Raahee, Raja Bhaiya and TV shows like Tara and Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi. “Lucknow is one city with which I guess every artiste has some connection or other. I too have shot serial ‘Bhagoon Wali’ here. We used to shoot here freely in broad daylight in open markets without any hassle. Now it’s time to give it back to them by entertaining them with this comedy play,” says Kumar.
On this play, he says, “This is another comedy of errors where there is lot of crossconnection and misunderstanding. The highlight is novelty of presentation.” The show is about three married couples.
Producer and actor Rahul is running his Felicity Theatre group for last 10 years now. “All these years we have done small plays with our students. Now, we have roped in celebrities from TV and films. We want this reverse journey to happen when actors from films come to theatre and this is not just seen as a stepping stone to big screen,” he says.
“UP is a lucky omen for us. We launched Wrong Number in Kanpur in April. In fact, till now we have premiered 50 of our shows in the state so far. On 22nd September, we are bringing Rakesh Bedi’s play ‘Jab We Separated’ to Lucknow, which has Rakeshji, Shweta Tiwari and myself. It’s great that local group Rang Pakhi invited us and we have support of Mukesh Bahadur Singh (Phdcci co-chairman) as mentor who is supporting theatre so much. We see good future of theatre in Lucknow,” Rahul said.
Actor Avtaar Gill has shot for serial Raag Durbari in Lucknow. “I started doing theatre as a hobby. It has been 40 years now and my thirst for theatre refuses to die. I and Rakesh (Bedi) have done some 8 plays together and continue till date. The love I get here can’t be told in word.”
Actor Rajesh Puri, who made TV entry with popular character Lallu in Hum Log, will once again be seen playing Lallu in this play but in a different avatar.
Lucknow is one city with which I guess every artiste has some connection or other. Now it’s time to give it back to them by entertaining them with this comedy play RAMAN KUMAR DIRECTOR