Actor-director Manav Kaul returns to theatre after 10 years

Manav is glad with the way Chuhal has shaped up says hes enjoying all forms of acting now PicSayyed Sameer AbediWhen we catch Manav Kaul at the end of a fourhour long rehearsal in a studio at Versova he appears surprisingly upbeat Were here to talk about Chuhal his upcoming play poised to open at the Prithvi Festival Written and directed by Kaul the play will see him return on stage as an actor after 10 years mdash the last time was in 2006 for Peele Scooter Wala Aadmi where again he had directed himselfWhat does chuhal mean we ask Thats the first question everyone asks me he laughs It means halki fulki baatcheet he says adding that there can be no literal English translation for the term I would use it often in my daily vocabulary the play also stemmed from some chuhalbaazi you could say This is Kauls first play where he has explored the female standpoint I have always toyed with the idea and finally got down to writing it It explores the way men see women in a relationship and juxtaposes that with how women see themselves How does a girl perceive a relationship What happens if she chooses to stay single for the rest of her life mdash these are questions the play throws up he saysChuhal is set in a village where the mindset is modern Its a light romantic comedy which also goes into the experimental space somewhat he says but at the moment Kaul doesnt want to explain how He speaks highly of his cast though Sugandha Garg plays the female lead Aarti and shes fantastic mdash I dont know why she doesnt do more plays Then theres Amrita Bagchi who is great too Gurleen Judge is designing the play and shes one of the most important people in my group I have a fantastic team in place which is why I am able to do this The setup is very democratic Everyone gives their feedback and so it becomes the groups play and not mine alone Thats also the reason why he says that he ventured out to direct himself Its not the first option I considered because I feel the director needs to be out of the play to be able to see the big picture better But it is solely because of the support system I have that I am being able to do this Kaul saysManav with Sugandha Garg in a rehearsalThe last three years saw Manav seeped into films to the extent that theatre had to take a backseat for a while He candidly admits that he has found therapy in acting since 2013 and hes enjoying it to the hilt I stopped acting in 2002 because I wasnt having fun anymore Peele Scooter Wala Aadmi was an exception an emergency call rather But I rediscovered the magic in 2013 when films began to happen Returning to stage acting was not a creative struggle for him he says Im really enjoying all kinds of acting now But yes I like to focus on one thing at a time Right now its onlyChuhal for me And its great that its opening at Prithvi That place is like home to me Kaul says While both acting and direction give him joy he says that it is the writer in him that continues to surprise An artists journey is always inward My writing surprises me the most I dont know where it comes from when it will come even This play too I never thought I had it in me to explore a story like this But when it all came together I sat back and smiled to myself It will be a very important play in my journey more than Shakkar Ke Paanch Daane I know its something I will be proud of