‘Virtual theatre is an intriguing space to explore’

Shilpa Shukla believes that though there’s no substitute to the magic of live theatre, now is the time to break out from the norms of traditional theatre to prevent the art form from disappearing. “Theatre in its essence, is very much a live medium. Words cannot describe the magic of ‘right here right now’ that’s collectively felt by the artiste and the audience. Having said that, I also feel that theatre is rich in literature and emotions and since not every generation comes to the theatre, we can take it to them,” she shares. A while ago, the actor had shot for a teleplay titled The Big Fat City, a first for her. Talking about it, she says, “There was so much to learn and unlearn, so much to deconstruct before attempting to construct and so much to give and receive. It has been a very fulfilling experience. To work with Mahesh Dattani (playwright and director) sir was like a dream come true for me.”

So what is her thought on the latest trend of shooting for plays and virtual theatre? “The grammar is new. So, it definitely is an intriguing space to explore. Theatre has so much more to offer when it comes to literature, characters or conflicts. The canvas is huge. And how do we do this without losing its essence? That’s an interesting challenge,” Shukla says.

The Chak De! India (2007) actor says that going ahead, “content will undergo a huge change” once shoots resume. “It would be interesting to know if we still want to make what we think the audience wants or we’re collectively going to evolve in our ways to establish this connection. Technically, we would see fewer people on a set. Makers will come up with more mindful stories and better ways of telling them with the mantra - let less be more,” she concludes.

Shilpa Shukla