Sanchita Kalra (HINDUSTAN TIMES; March 27, 2020)

The world of theatre has taken a pause and is struggling in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic. As March 27 marks the occasion of World Theatre Day, prominent theatre personalities talk about the impact of Covid-19 on the industry and their memories of performing on stage.

Theatre director and actor Manav Kaul, with a heavy heart, says, “It is sad and unfortunate that on World Theatre Day, there will be no theatre anywhere in the world.” He also reveals his play was scheduled to open in Mumbai on March 17 but was cancelled due to the shutdown. Kaul adds, “This is the need of the hour. I’ve been rehearsing rigorously for four months. I even gave a break to my acting jobs for this.”

Many actors unanimously agree that taking appropriate preventive measures during such critical crisis should be the topmost priority. Film and theatre actor Deepak Dobriyal says that it has not only impacted Indian film and theatre industry but also wreaked havoc in numerous professional worlds as well. He says, “The entire country is in the same situation. Whether it’s theatre or any other profession, every individual needs NOC from coronavirus. Only then will everyone be able to perform.”

Talking about the idea of presenting archived theatre shows on digital media platforms, actor Pankaj Tripathi says, “I saw that the members of the music fraternity are doing digital concerts on social media. Mujhe lagta hai rangmanch mein bhi log thoda bohot aise karenge. But ye medium toh nahi hai aisa. Woh toh live medium hai. But for now, our primary concern is health, whether it’s an artiste or general public. So, our complete focus should be on that. Rangmach Diwas toh har saal aata hai.”

Actor Saurabh Shukla emphasises on the stress-free usage of social media, if people can’t go out to catch a play. He says “We are in this together. In a time when you know there’s an ominous fear, it’s good to have stress-free time. If people have recorded plays, then the footage should be on social media.” However, for many, it’s the happy memories that keep them going.

Actor Shabana Azmi shares one such incident and says , “I was once arrested along with 16 slum dwellers for a demonstration. My parents, Javed (Akhtar; husband), Feroz Abbas Khan and Farooq Sheikh all came to the police station because I was to perform Tumhari Amrita in Mumbai at 6 pm. My mother, Shaukat Kaifi pleaded with the police officer and said, ‘We come from theatre and for us the show must go on. Please release my daughter so she can do her play and I will personally bring her back to you’. Ultimately, I reached the auditorium at 8 pm and was on stage seven minutes later. We got a standing ovation!”