Over the weekend,
we got a chance to hear two of the finest actors theatre has gifted us – Rajit
Kapur and Ratna Pathak Shah.
They could
not have been from more different backgrounds. While Ratna’s mother Dina Pathak
and aunt Tarla Mehta were both veterans in Gujarati theatre and the actress
can’t recall a time when acting and stage wasn’t a part of her life, Rajit’s
father mocked him openly when the young man declared that he wanted to join the
National School of Drama. “Have you seen
your face in the mirror? Hangar jaisi shakl hai!” Rajit recalled the exact
words his father had said to a somewhat amused audience.
The actor
never ended up going to the NSD. Ratna, on the other hand, did and is grateful
for the technical-knowhow, history of theatre and other lessons she learnt
there. “NSD didn’t make me an actress, though it did make me a better theatre
person,” she remarked.
Formal
education or not, the two actors have, over the years, managed to leave a mark
on all the mediums they have explored, be it theatre, television or films. Some
of Rajit’s memorable stage performances include Class of 84, Love Letters, Me
Kash and Cruise and Flowers, while his portrayal of detective Byomkesh Bakshi
in the serial by the same name had shopkeepers downing their shutters early in
order to catch the show at 9 pm on Thursdays. The film, Making of the Mahatma,
earned him a National Award in 1995.
As for
Ratna, the actress’ name is synonymous with acclaimed plays such as Ismat Aapa
Ke Naam, Dear Liar and Antigone. Her portrayal of the snooty Maya Sarabhai in
the popular comedy show Sarabhai V/S Sarabhai, is still talked about. Though
she has played roles in movies such as Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na and Khoobsurat, the
actress says that her best in movies is yet to come.
It was
interesting to know that when faced with different mediums, both Ratna and
Rajit don’t change the way they approach the character. “At the basic level,
acting remains the same. The difference arises because of the space and the
actor has to adapt to that. You have to do it, to understand it, to feel it,”
said Rajit.
It takes a
lot of self-assessment, however painful, to reach where they are. And Ratna
believes that more than depending on others’ opinions about your work,
self-assessment is something which is non-negotiable for an actor. “You have to
know why you like what you do or what you did not like about your performance,”
she told the audience, while Rajit admitted to being his harshest critic.
At the end
of the discussions, an eager audience waited patiently to fire some more
questions at their favourite actors. Good decision, we thought, you wouldn’t
get another chance like this soon!
Much love
The Art
Addict
PS: The
Celebrate Bandra Festival starts today and it would be a shame if you gave up
the chance to miss the open air art classes, music events, theatre shows and
more, which the organisers have planned for the next five days. The Art Addict
will be going for sure, will you be there?
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