HYDERABAD: The relationship between theatre and cinema has conventionally been of ‘mutual co-existence’. While the number of theatre artistes who’ve made a mark in regional cinema has dwindled over time, it’s evident that the artiste-exchange between both the forms is very much on. While most veteran actors in current Telugu cinema, from the likes of Tanikella Bharani to Kota Srinivasa Rao have come from a theatre background, the recent past too has seen a number of theatre actors making their presence felt in cinema. A recent release, Bommala Ramaram , directed by Nishant Pudhari, had almost 40 theatre actors (mostly from Hyderabad-based Nishumbita theatre group) besides Priyadarshi (who made a splash with Pelli Choopulu ). Other films like Manamantha, Gentleman, Pelli Choopulu, Brahmotsavam, Terror too have gone on to feature theatre actors including Suresh Kumar, Vinay Varma, Abhay and Keshav Deepak. Insiders say that while the number is nowhere close to that of Hindi and Tamil industries, the jump is nevertheless welcome.
“They are raw and passionate at heart. I wanted to encourage them, they were ready to do anything for cinema. For casting reasons, they were available easily, eager to work and prove themselves. Things became simpler on the sets, as they were prepared and knew what works and doesn’t for the craft. In terms of the shoot, I hardly faced any delays and things went rather smoothly,” asserts Nishant Pudhari. He was extremely happy with their performances, so much so that even for his next film, he assures he’s working with the same set of actors.
Theatre actors, in terms of the craft, are expected to be subtle and nuanced in terms of their performances in films, unlike their work for plays where they’re expected to be a tad louder due to the focus on being audible to the audience.
“We take time to adjust to the camera, yes, but once that’s done, things do get easier. We are used to mouthing lengthy dialogues and get into a character’s mind quickly. It’s advantageous both for the actor and the maker. Things have really improved over the years and we are quite industry-ready,” states theatre actor Mayanand Thakur, who’s acted in films like Anamika, Life is Beautiful, Terror .
However things aren’t all rosy yet. In most of the films cited above theatre actors didn’t get meaty roles or a chance to perform. For the limited time they get, it’s a tough bargain to ask for impact. Unlike the case of Prithvi Theatre that Bollywood is consistently on the lookout for talent, Telugu filmmakers hardly scout for talented actors from those who’re into theatre. “Selective directors do remember theatre artists when they begin the casting, but it hardly goes beyond Indraganti, Addala and a small league of directors,” reveals Suresh Kumar, a theatre actor who’s appeared in 22 films to date.
Naren, who too is in the process of transitioning from theatre to cinema for his maiden appearance in the Rana Daggubati-Taapsee starrer Ghazi says, “The situation is rather ripe for theatre now, from amateur groups to accomplished ones, there are indeed actors, for whom the medium isn’t a barrier. A wide change is bound to happen, when people look for theatre as much as films.”
There is also the limited viewership for theatre , especially in Telugu, which can perhaps be attributed to the absence of plays that go beyond adaptations of classics.
