The 27th of March is designated as World Theatre Day each year. Actors from TV series and movies discuss their love of the theatre and their transition from stage to screen in honour of the day. These Actors include Atharva (Bhimrao, Ek Mahanayak—Dr B. R. Ambedkar), Neha Joshi (Yashoda, Doosri Maa), Kamna Pathak (Rajesh, Happu Ki Ultan Paltan), and Aasif Sheikh (Vibhuti Narayan Mishra, Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai).
In Ek Mahanayak - Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Atharva, who plays Bhimrao, adds, "Theatre has been a huge help in polishing my acting skills. I was able to land the once-in-a-lifetime role of Bhimrao in &TV's Ek Mahanayak - Dr. B.R. Ambedkar thanks to the lessons I learned from theatre. I made my stage debut at the age of three and a half. Being on stage was an amazing experience that helped to launch my acting career. It enhanced my speech communication, gave me the self-assurance I needed to follow my passion for acting, showed me how to perform without displaying inner trepidation, and taught me how to talk in front of large people.
Yashoda of Doosri Maa, Neha Joshi, reveals, "My parents are theatre performers. They have not only entertained me on stage as I have grown older, but they have also taught me a lot about acting. When I was four or five years old, I can still recall one particular occurrence. When some of the youngsters who were supposed to attend a play my mother and two of her friends were preparing for kids didn't show up, my mother forced me stand in their place.
I broke down in tears and said, "Mujhe yahan nahi khade hona." Acting on stage is not allowed, in the main. But she persuaded me still, and today I breathe theatre in like air. If I don't have time to perform on stage, I start to feel constricted. I have a degree in theatre, therefore I always make an effort to participate in plays.
Many won't believe it, but I have declined a lot of TV advertisements and movies because of my obligations to theatres. My first role was in the Marathi stage play "Kshan Ek Pure," which led to a television programme and eventually, a film. I was able to learn a lot about acting through theatre. I continue to participate in theatre workshops because, in my opinion, an actor must maintain a connection to the performing arts. The best way to develop and test your acting abilities is through this medium.
I gave my first theatrical performance when I was five years old, says Kamna Pathak, who goes by the stage name Rajesh in Happu Ki Ultan Paltan. I'll always remember the things I've learned in the theatre. At the theatre, takes are never redone. Even if you make a few little mistakes, you must push through your anxiety and continue the presentation. I think theatre is a challenging art form to perfect. It enables rapid feedback from the audience and direct interaction, which boosts your acting confidence.
"Theatre has always been and is my first love," says Aasif Sheikh, aka Vibhuti Narayan Mishra of Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai. It has played a major role in fueling my enthusiasm for acting and giving me a solid foundation. I had the opportunity to work on numerous plays in my early days in the theatre and get knowledge from well-known individuals. I became preoccupied with television and Bollywood, but I haven't left the theatre. I just got the chance to participate in "Hum Deewane Hum Parvane," one of my oldest plays. After a protracted seven years, I went back to the theatre to perform. I was delighted that my kids were watching me in the audience because they knew my family was watching out for me. I felt proud at the time.
