Shreyas’ Nine Rasa

The actor talks about the future of theatre and more

Ever since his debut in Nagesh Kukunoor’s 2005sports drama Iqbal, Shreyas Talpade has been among the top actors in the Indian film industry. While he’d already shone in Marathi cinema and television, he began being known all over the country for his stellar performances in films across various genres including Dor (2006), Om Shanti Om (2007) and Golmaal Returns (2008). Then in 2017, Shreyas, who’d coproduced the 2014-Marathi comedy film Poshter Boyz, turned director when he remade the Marathi film in Hindi, as Poster Boys. The Hindi remake also laid the path for Bobby Deol’s second inning in Bollywood. Shreyas has, for some time now, also been working on another unique idea, which culminated in his launching his OTT platform called ‘Nine Rasa’. Nine Rasa, which starts broadcasting from Saturday onwards, has the distinction of being India’s first OTT platform dedicated to theatre and performing arts.

While promoting his OTT, Shreyas also answered a volley of questions to Deccan Chronicle. But first we start with his thought behind Nine Rasa.

Q

So what led you to thinking of Nine Rasa?

The idea started with the intention of helping the theatre fraternity because I think theatre should reach a maximum number of people. The platform will stream full-length plays, one-act plays, stand-ups, dance, poetry, story reading and documentaries. Naturally, I am very excited about Nine Rasa and I am happy it is accessible to people.

Q

Given the different genres you’ve worked in and the emotions you’ve caricatured in them, which is the one rasa (the aesthetic flavor or element in art), among the nine known rasa that you feel you relate most with? I think I have more of the hasya (laughter) rasa in me, although I know to be a good actor, I should be able to relate to all rasa. Having said that, I love making people laugh.

Q

And what’s next on the film front and direction for you? A lot is happening. I just finished shooting for a film called Luv You Shankar with Rajiv Ruia, who’d made the My Friend Ganesha film series. The film, which is currently in post-production, is a reincarnation drama. Then there is a Marathi film with Mahesh Manjrekar, whose working title is Mrigtrishna, which will release as soon as the theatres reopen. I also did a film shot in Rajasthan. Then, I am directing and acting in a film called Sarkar ki Seva, which was stalled due to the lockdown and will begin shooting in May or June 2021. The cast includes Sudhir Pandey, Anil Charanjeet and me in addition to many others.

Q

Backing up to Luv You Shankar, you seem to be drawn to reincarnation dramas, don’t you think? (Laughs) Yes, I’ve done a couple of them earlier, including Om Shanti Om, so I don’t know… there must be some connection. Probably I am also reincarnated.

Q

You’ve had several ups and downs in your career. Would you like to share how you overcame those?

God has been kind to me. And most importantly, I think family support makes a huge difference. There are times when you start questioning your own capabilities.

But if your partner and your family remind you that it’s just a phase and not the end of the road, it helps you remember that ‘picture abhi baaki hai’ (the show is not over yet) and that there’s no point in quitting. My wife Deepti stood by me like a rock when I was riding the troughs.

Q

Bobby Deol has had no looking back since his comeback with your Poster Boys. How do you feel about being the one who brought him back into business? I am very happy for Bobby. But I cannot take the credit for his comeback, though, yes, I may have been the catalyst. When we’d started working on Poster Boys, he was in a different state of mind because he’d not shot for four years, and yet he worked extremely hard and sincerely for the film. And just like you said, since then, there’s been no looking back for him.

“Nine Rasa started with the intention of helping the theatre fraternity because I think theatre should reach a maximum number of people. The platform will stream full-length plays, one-act plays, stand-ups, dance, poetry, story reading and documentaries. Naturally, I am very excited about Nine Rasa and I am happy it is accessible to people.”

— Shreyas Talpade,

actor