In the series of interactive sessions at the ongoing Bharat Rang Mahotsav at National School of Drama, students and audience got a chance to interact with eminent theatre and film personality Jabbar Patel where he shared his experiences and inspiration with the audience.
Reflecting upon the role of politically motivated films in the society, he asserted that a film cannot change the society. “An artist is a spokesperson of present. Every thing which is made today by the artists will become a source of history for the coming generation. A film cannot change anything but can make people aware of what is going on in the society,” said the director who has made biopics on leaders like Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and Yashvant Rao Chavan besides classics like Samna , Simhasan and Umbartha .
Explaining the incorporation of elements of theatre in his films, Patel said, “Medium of cinema can be used as an extension of theatre technique to convey a perspective and that is why I chose the medium to make political films by taking theatre artistes as they were aware of the required techniques.”
He also shared his experiences as a documentary filmmaker and said the market is growing and there are enormous possibilities in the medium if the right subject is chosen. “Film Division informed me that my documentary ‘Indian Theatre’ is still demanded by foreign film makers more than many other films. In my view, it is not because I have made it but because of the relevance of the topic it presents,” said Patel. He also announced that the production of “Ghasiram Kotwal” will be revived as it is relevant in the present socio-political scenario and he will stage it in October this year.
Himself an actor, he believes life is a great teacher for an actor and sometime ordinary looking instances can help an actor find his groove. He recalled the incident when he approached Dilip Kumar for a book release where the thespian shared his birth as actor. “He said in one of the shots of Jwar Bhata (1944), he was asked to do a scene with a character artist, who was playing the role of his mother. When Dilip Kumar saw the lady who, in the meanwhile, moved behind the camera smoking a beedi, he inadvertently spelled out, ‘Maa ye tune kya kiya?’ in a spontaneous bewildered tone as he was surprised to see the lady smoking. But that tone was very much liked by the unit members present there and after that he was known for the same tone,” said Patel giving a live demonstration.
Earlier, Patel started on a light note by sharing an event from his childhood when he was asked to do a role in a play which was staged on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi. “The mascara of make-up and the warmth of the stage light along with applause from the audience introduced me to a different world which shaped my later life,” said Patel calling it his birth as an actor.
Continuing his studies along with theatre, he never expected making money from theatre and cited it as a reason behind his ability to continue with experimental theatre and not falling prey to commercial theatre popular in Maharashtra. Talking about his inspiration, he said Shreeram Lagoo and Vijay Tendulkar were always an inspiration for him in his early days when he used to practise along with his medical studies. “I use to keep looking at Lagoo ji when he used to perform during rehearsals. He was an ideal actor both in terms of style and stagecraft. And Vijay Tendulkar was the best reader I have ever seen. He had a unique style of presentation,” said Patel.
