Actor-writer-director Saurabh Shukla seems as much at ease with himself as he is with the various characters he has played on the screen and on stage. During our chat, he takes each question seriously and thinks through before he answers. Excerpts:
Excerpts:
You are a writer, director, and actor. Which of these is a greater passion?
For me all three are of equal passion because they are inter-related. The actor in me helps the writer write the spoken language and the writer in me helps the actor in understanding the core of the story; similarly the director in me helps the actor understanding the flow. At the same time the actor helps the director to keep the production natural and instinctive.
Doesn’t it become extremely challenging, especially when doing theatre, to perform each of these roles in the best possible way?
No. If you perform all three roles they automatically start helping each other. It's almost like asking an all-rounder in cricket that does his capability create obstacles on the field.
Most of the characters you’ve played have a comic touch. How challenging is it for you?
Humour is an integral part of human life. I guess that it is the best defence mechanism humans have. That’s why I try and capture it in every piece of my work. I believe those who try to be funny are not always funny, but those who remain true to their situation automatically reflect the inherent humour. I never try and play a straight face comedy. Rather I focus on the plight of the character and let the situation do its job. I pick up instances from real life but how I see them at that moment is what colours those particular instances with my perception.
You have said that “Barff” was originally written as a feature film but then converted into a play. How difficult is this process? Aren’t there technical difficulties?
Yes, ‘Barff’ was written first as a film script and let me tell you it is very different, in form, from the stage version of it.
Though the soul of the story remained the same, yet it is different in its presentation. Yes, there were difficulties in converting the film script into a play script, yet it has actually made the theatre version visually more interesting. It has also pushed us into inventing a few gadgets (e.g. the snow machine, the set designs, usage of light etc.) to match the essence of the original script.
You recently took ‘2 to Tango’ to the US. How was the experience? Did you feel any difference in the audience response as compared to that in India where you’ve performed in several cities?
Our US tour of ‘2 To Tango 3 To Jive’ was very successful and gratifying. We got to perform in far off land and to our surprise the audience reaction was similar to what it was in India. It strengthened my belief that despite a vast difference in culture and countries, the people are the same and they connect to stories on a human ground. Though travelling through countries I could see the difference, but inside the auditorium they responded to life situations much the same way.
Actors publicising their films has become routine. Thankfully, theatre has not taken to it. At the Delhi Theatre Festival, people turned out in huge number. What keeps theatre going today?
In films, actors perform the part of publicity to reach a wider audience. I think it is a good idea. If the actors in theatre do the same, it will help in reaching a larger audience and giving a strong identity to theatre actors.
I’m pleasantly surprised with the audience response at the Delhi Theatre Festival. The full house has created great hope in me about the interest of people in live performances.
The character of Kallu Mama is one which people identify with even today. What makes a character so endearing in any film so much so that it leaves a lasting impression?
My answer to this question is ‘The Film’. Audiences have connected to the film Satya in every sense. That is why all the characters have remained in their memory even after almost twenty years; and Kallu Mama is no exception.
Do you see yourself writing a book?
No. I don't think so because I am (at least till now) only interested in writing as the discipline of play writing or script writing. Having said that, I hope to get published as a writer of plays and in that sense then I shall be writing a book as a playwright.
Top five
Here are Saurabh Shukla five memorable performances in films
Satya
Lage Raho Munna Bhai
Barfi
PK
Jolly LLB
