Living many lives

Neena Kulkarni was only nine when she first went on stage. It was a role in a skit, organised at Makrand Society in Mahim that got her interested in theatre. Within the next 10 years, she went on to work with some of the most celebrated personalities in Marathi theatre. And soon she went on to perform in prominent plays like Adhe Adhure, and Willie Russell’s Educating Rita and later, to star in mainstream Hindi films like Hasee Toh Phasee.

What’s common to these three mediums is that Neena has managed to play each of these roles with equal ease. Be it theatre, television or films, the actress admits that the process behind bringing her characters to life is different. Neena is all set to talk about this process and her journey at the upcoming session at Mumbai Local this weekend.

When asked, Neena admits that she didn’t plan out her career in acting. A graduate in Arts with a French major, the actress took a year’s time after graduation to perform, so that she wouldn’t regret giving up on acting entirely. “I come from a family of doctors. Acting was only looked at as an extra-curricular activity. I asked my parents to give me one year. After that, I promised I would do exactly as they say, even marry!” says Neena with a chuckle.

The actress, however, didn’t walk the aisle, as she found her calling under the arclights. Even as she went on to dabble in television and mainstream Hindi films, Neena admits that her first love will always be theatre. She explains, “As much as I enjoy television and films, theatre is an actor’s medium. In television or on the big screen, it is the director’s vision more than an actor’s. It is the people at the editing table, who really decide how a role shapes up.”

While Neena has fond memories associated with her roles, she recalls a particular incident while essaying her role as Kasturba in Mahatma vs Gandhi, directed by Feroz Khan. “We (Naseeruddin Shah and Neena) were performing at Nehru Centre. At one point in the play, I blacked out and fell off the stage. Although I was in immense pain, I went ahead with the show. By the time the interval came up, I fainted,” she recalls. “Luckily the second part required me to be in bed. So I wasn’t much of a problem. The ongoing joke was that Kasturba died much before she could die in the play,” laughs Neena.

Even as theatre is competing with various entertainment options like the small screen, films and the Internet, Neena is happy with how Marathi theatre has shaped up in India. “Marathi theatre was always thriving, and I am happy that it still is lapped up by audiences. In fact, today, I think there is increased participation in Marathi theatre. There will always be an audience for theatre. You just have to give them a story that they will connect with,” she smiles.

Mumbai Local, On March 12, 5.30 pm onwards,
At DrBhauDaji Lad Museum Byculla (E).
To save a seat, RSVP on Bookmyshow.com