Reality TV, his ailing parents and the shadow of death inspire Makarand Deshpande's new play that opens this Wednesday
Reality TV, his ailing parents and the shadow of death inspire Makarand Deshpande's new play that opens this Wednesday
Back from a short break in Rishikesh, actor-director-writer Makarand Deshpande has no time to lose as he throws himself in rehearsals for his new play, Miss Beautiful.
Divya Jagdale, who plays Makarand's mother in the play, Nagesh Bhonsale and Makarand at rehearsal. Pics/ Mehjabeen Jagmag
Is Miss Beautiful a take-off on reality television?
Yes, I'm trying to bring in the concept of a reality play through a play-within-a-play. My character in Miss Beautiful is that of a scriptwriter who is working on the draft of his new play. His script is based on his life and the life of his ailing parents, whom he casts in the play. The script slowly begins to affect their lives. The plot takes a bizarre turn when the scriptwriter, consumed by the guilt of his parents craving to see him married before they breathe their last, brings home an unsuspecting actress. That's how Miss Beautiful, the protagonist enters the play.u00a0u00a0u00a0
What inspired this text?
Part of it was inspired by my parents. I've have watched them grow old and vulnerable. They have lived their life selflessly for their children. But after a certain age, you cannot ignore death. Nuances of their life have found their way into my script. My own character in the play is inspired by my elder brother. The play also deals with contemporary issues. Death has become a constant threat for us. It is on our mind more than life itself. Television too has a constant presence in our lives; reality TV is now a part of our reality. These issues have been playing on my mind for far too long, in fact, I completed this script within a fortnight.
Why did you decide to open at Karnataka Sangh, away from Prithvi's dedicated audience?
I have taken a chance with the venue. But it's a new play and I'm looking forward to a new audience. Most plays open at Prithvi and move to other venues. I decided to do otherwise.
What about your play-turned-film Grihalakshmi?
The script was more suited to film than stage anyway. We have completed the film, and I'm hoping it travels to film festivals before it opens here. I have two more films that should release this year the long-awaited Dream Man that was postponed for various financial reasons, and the new Shahrukh Bola-Khubsurat Hain Tu. But theatre continues to be my priority.
At: Karnataka Sangh, Matunga (W) on April 8, 9 and 10 at 8 pm.
Call: 24377022.
Tickets: Rs 150
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