After playing villain in hundreds of films, actor Kiran Kumar gets ready to make his stage debut at 63
Actor Kiran Kumar with director Kawal Sharma at the play rehearsal. Pic/Sneha Kharabe
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Each time Kiran Kumar would watch a theatre performance, he'd feel both amazed and envious of the adulation that actors would receive from the audience. "I always felt that this was the only thing you miss when you do movies —the opportunity to face a live audience. Whether it's praise or brickbats, the reaction is there for you to see," says Kumar.
So, when filmmaker Kawal Sharma, who directed popular '80s movies like Gunahon Ka Devta, Jeete Hain Shaan Se and Mar Mitenge, approached the actor for a play, he jumped at the opportunity. "Despite the 600 movies and numerous soaps that I've been part of, theatre remained the only unexplored medium," he tells us.
On March 31, Kumar will be seen in Who is Charlie 1? at Bandra's Rang Sharda Auditorium. Interestingly, the play is a first in many ways. It's not only Kumar's debut, but also the director's maiden play. Bhajan singer Anup Jalota, too, will be seen in his first stage role. Touted to be a thriller, the act sees Kumar playing a double role. "I play Chandra Mohan Nagar and Charlie 2. While Chandramohan is subdued and subtle, Charlie is offensive, in-your-face and likes to call a spade a spade."
Never the sort to cower down, Kumar admits that he's able to relate to Charlie more than Chandramohan. "There's a lot of Charlie in me, which is why I'm able to enjoy playing the character. That said, each person has a good and evil side to him." Interestingly, his son, Shaurya will also be part of the play.
These days, Kumar is at rehearsals at 6 am, and his dedication has the director impressed. "Whenever we did a play reading, he would record it and the next morning, I would receive a video of him enacting it. He would seek my feedback and then we'd brainstorm. His enthusiasm is infectious," says Sharma.
Kumar says the play has made him feel like a newcomer. "I'm not the one to take a backseat just because I'm getting old. There's so much to learn. Next up, I'm planning to take guitar lessons."
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