The allwomen production for Shikha’s play was unintended

Shikha Talsania shares that she always wanted to perform on the stage, and theatre gave her a platform. And, the actor’s association with stage began when she was in college. Years later, she codirected her first play.

The production, Dekh Behen, that was first staged in February, in Mumbai, was received well, and since then, it had been travelling across India.

The play also got talked about because of it being an all-women production, except for director Akarsh Khurana, who has produced it.

“I know everyone is talking about the all-women production but I don’t want to label it as a gender thing. For me, it was completely organic. We never had this in mind, it just happened that way. And we all had a wonderful time working on it with everyone,” says Shikha, who was seen in the film Veere Di Wedding earlier this year.

The actor reveals that she never thought about taking up direction one day. It happened accidentally. “In December last year, Akarsh asked me if I would like to direct. Since I have been working with him for quite some time now and he is a close friend, I jumped on the opportunity.

And, I am so happy that I said yes. We immediately hit it to the ground. Also, the story fascinated me,” adds the actor.

Dekh Behen narrates the story of a sangeet evening in a Delhi farm house wedding, and there are five bridesmaids who don’t get along with the bride. The play stars Aahana Kumra, Astha Arora, Dilshad Edibam Khurana, Mithila Palkar, Prerna Chawla and Shikha Talsania herself, among others. It was recently staged in Delhi as well.

Is she planning to direct another play anytime soon? “Not right now, but I want to, in future.

At the moment it’s Dekh Behen [that I am focussing on]. And every time we are staging it, I am learning something new and enjoying this process. It’s like taking one step at a time,” she signs off.

I know everyone is talking about the allwomen production, but I don’t want to label it as a gender thing. For me, it was completely organic. SHIKHA TALSANIA

ACTORDIRECTOR