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Raghubir Yadav’s undying passion for theatre ‘I have taken a break from YouTube, but it’s for my own good’

- Kavita Awaasthi

Senior actor Raghubir Yadav calls the theatre his “jaan”. “It’s in my blood. Par jab se main Mumbai aaya, theatre chutt sa gaya tha,” says the Mungerilal Ke Haseen Sapne actor. He admits that whenever he gets a chance, he is only too happy to return to the theatre. “I have grown up with theatre and whatever I have learnt and whatever I have done in my career — be it films or TV is thanks to the training from theatre. Kaam karne ka saleeka theatre se aaya,” he adds.

A while ago, he shot for a teleplay, Bagiya Bancharam Ki, which was a novel experience for him. He shares. “It is a comedy about power and pride, set in a village with the zamindari system as a backdrop. The satirical play shows that true happiness lies not in possession but elsewhere. Theatre has seen a lot of glory and immense popularity but since the television era, and of course films, actors were not as interested in theatre and it got sidelined. Doing theatre, for many, became a stepping stone to films and TV. Now, people are beginning to understand and appreciate theatre again. It has so much to offer regarding literature. The one thing that has remained consistent for me is my undying passion for art.”

Stuck at home like everyone else during the lockdown due to the pandemic, Yadav has been connecting with his friends from theatre, many of whom he hadn’t been in touch with for a while. “Takleef toh hai that theatres are shut but people are trying to stay connected via video calls. In fact, earlier, theatre artistes couldn’t meet that often but now, we have interacted more virtually in this pandemic. I felt really good to connect with like-minded folks and talk to them. The moment theatres open, we are all raring to go,” says the actor.

The 63-year-old picked up

Selena Gomez is returning to the place she got her start: TV acting. The actor-singer will star with Steve Martin and Martin Short in the upcoming Hulu comedy series Only Murders in the Building. She will also executivep­roduce the project with her co-stars.

According to Deadline, the series “follows three strangers (Martin, Short and Gomez) who share an obsession with true crime and suddenly find themselves wrapped up in one,” reports Elle.

Gomez is a big true-crime fan in real life. She even attended CrimeCon Chicago in February to help solve an unsolved mystery.

You can remain indecisive Nishad Neelambara­n eyes set on you. We, the about a purchase and may

creators, have gained a lot of eventually buy it at a higher H

is journey started in 2009 followers during the prig get ce. Those noticed wanting on the to when he started posting lockdown. It has worked well vine videos on Facebook. for us, but sadly, at the work front will need Little did he know that a expense of so many people to work harder. A decade later, he would be one sitting at home. I have been disputed property of the most followed digital able to make a lot of short bothering you is not content creators in India. content pieces for people likely to get into any From short vine videos to through social media and that legalegal wrangles. Strong numerous collaborat­ions with has worked out well. I have belief in yourself will find Bollywood stars, Ashish taken a break from YouTube, you overcoming all hurdles Chanchlani has come a long but it’s for my own good.” on the academic front. way. Chanchlani, who has About the ‘new normal’, Lucky Number: 8 more than 19 million Chanchlani feels that once Lucky Colour: Forest Green subscriber­s on his YouTube shoots resume, a lot of digital channel, says the lockdown content creators will value has been “very productive” and dedicate themselves for him. However, he admits towards content. “Now, that “sitting at home” is people have been able to take getting difficult. “I have out free time from their busy realised during this lockdown schedules to shoot, so they that I can’t sit idle and that will value those shoots and has taken a toll on me. I am content more. And I think paying attention to things that that will be the after- effect of are least important in life. The the lockdown,” he shares. good part about this lockdown So, does he think fan fests is that I have been getting to and live events are a thing of rest, spend good quality time the past? “No, I don’t think fan with my family, and watch fest and live events will be a movies,” he adds. thing of the past. Till the

Ask him how things have lockdown continues, online changed for digital content events will keep going on. creators during this Once the vaccine is available, lockdown, and he says, “Right people will be able to go out now, the digital content has and will be more eager to increased massively because get out of their houses,” he people are hungry for the signs off. content, and they have their music and reading too during this free time. “Lockdown mein tapasya ho gayi. I did a lot of introspect­ion and did things which I couldn’t give time due to work commitment­s earlier. I really enjoy acting and music and I am glad that I could get time to read a lot and check out some of the old books I had, and also focus on my music. I enjoyed the lockdown and utilised it well. We never get such opportunit­ies, so instead of getting stressed about what to do, mauke ka fyada uthana chahiye,” he says with a grin.

 ?? PHOTO: INSTAGRAM/ SELENAGOME­Z ?? Selena Gomez
PHOTO: INSTAGRAM/ SELENAGOME­Z Selena Gomez
 ??  ?? Ashish Chanchlani
Ashish Chanchlani
 ?? PHOTO: AMLAN PALIWAL/IANS ?? Raghubir Yadav
PHOTO: AMLAN PALIWAL/IANS Raghubir Yadav
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