There’s nothing like being part of an all-female cast: Aahana

Primarily known for her roles in movies such as Lipstick Under My Burkha (2017) and The Accidental Prime Minister (2019), actor Aahana Kumra made her acting debut in 2009. And since then, she has worked in a number of web shows and even theatre plays. The actor was recently seen in the play Dekh Behen which was part of The Great Indian Theatre Festival, and says that she loves working in women-led projects. “There is always food on the set. There’s nothing like being part of an all-female cast. All of us love to eat and we have a bountiful spread. It is lovely to have so many women around. Each one of us has immense potential and apart from being friends or co-actors, we look up to one another,” says Kumra, reinstating faith in healthy women camaraderie.

Giving us a peek into her part in the play, she says, “My character, Trisha, is the binding element in the story. She is not judgmental, is unmarried, and is unabashed about her choices. She somehow holds the other characters together.”

The actor adds, while on the face of it the conversations are hilarious, they constantly nudge at socially potent issues. “I think Dilshad (Dilshad Edibam Khurana) and Tahira (Tahira Nath) — the writers of the play — have come up with an intelligent plot. The script is clever; you laugh along until it hits you that reality is no different,” she adds.

Ask her about the current theatre scene in the country and Kumra shares how the introduction of other platforms, leaves the stage with only a handful of players. According to the actor, OTT platforms and the big screen are undoubtedly important, but coming back to theatre hones ones flair in strange ways.

“My speech is precise and since I am relentlessly showing up at rehearsals, I unconsciously discipline myself. There are no retakes and that is where spontaneous ideation or even, team spirit comes into play,” the actor shares.

On stage directors that she has always wanted to work with, Manav Kaul is pretty high up on the list. “I really wonder why he never casts me in any of his plays. The next play I plan to watch is Giving Up On Godot. I would also like to work with Mohit Takalkar,” she signs off.

Thanks to theatre, my speech is precise and since I am relentlessly showing up at rehearsals, I unconsciously discipline myself. AAHANA KUMRA, ACTOR