Stagetalk@Prithvi: Khurana Family : a meetup on 8.11.2019 at Andheri (Mumbai) with a family devoted to theatre and film

Khurana family talks all about theatre 

(View it after every 12 hrs - FB+ Today Bejod India)

Nasiruddin Shah, the icon of Hindi cinema and one who also acted in the first play of Prithvi Theatre "Udhwasta Dharmashala" (in 1978 with Om Puri and Benjamin Gilani) was present at the site once again in 2019. His wife Ratna Pathak (sister of Surpiya Pathak) was also with him.

A stagetalk was shot at the adjacent building of Prithvi Theatre, Andheri (Mumbai) where the five members of Khurana family well known  for their works in theatre and films participated. A lady anchor asked questions about their journey in theatre and films and each of them answered.

Akash Kurana is a well known character-role actor and screenplay writer in films. He has written or co-authored  screenplays of  many of the popular Hindi films including  of 'Ashiqi", ' Baajigar'. He has also played character roles in a large number of popular Hindi films. like Ardh Satya, Saaransh, Naam, Beta, Saudagar, Sarfarosh, Company and Barfii.  He said that he graduated from XLRI and served in various top-notch companies like Tata Motors for many years. He also worked for companies in hospitality and entertainment industry. And then got inclined towards theatre and films. He also worked with the famous director Sunil  Shanbag (The Unknown General), Satyadev Dubey (Abe Bewakoof) etc in 1970s. He shared his vast experience in theatre and revealed that his first performance in theatre was made when he was just in Std. 3. He passed through many ups and downs in theatre but got along with his passion in acting and direction. He also applauded the contribution of Shashi Kapoor and Jeniffer in Hindi theatare and remembered how they established Prithvi Theatre .

Prithvi Theatre in the present form was starated n 1978 by Shashi Kapoor and his wife Jenifer Kapoor in memory of father Prithviraj Kapoor. Earlier it was titled as "Prithvi Theatre workshop" where only 20-30 people used to sit but later when the theatre-lovers began to come in large number, it was given a shape of proper auditorium with the state-of-the-art facilities and paraphernalia. Both of Kapoors loved it deeply and watched almost every production of it till their death.

Meera Khurana, the wife of Akash Khurana said that though people used to say earlier "What you people are doing? Earning from other fields and wasting money in theatre?" But later even the theatre works reached a level of self-sufficiency. Meera Khurana has directed some of the plays and has also acted in a few of them.

Akarsh Kurana talked at length about his work in theater and films. He has directed and screenplay writer of 'Kaarwaan'.  He is also known for his screenplay of 'Krisss' directed by Rakaesh Roshan and is presently writing for a film by Ajay Devadan. His wife Dilshad Khurana, mother Meera Khurana, father Akash Khurana and brother Adhar Khurana agreed that he is the best director among them. 

Adhaar Khurana was straight in saying that he was sort of averse to theatre in the beginning. One of the reasons he mentioned was interesting. He said that he used to find that in every play, his father is going to die so he disliked all of such plays. After gaining maturity he generated some interest for theatre but remained attached primarily with films only. His acting has been appreciated in films titled as  Ghoul (2018), Karwaan (2018) and High Jack (2018).

Dilshad Khurana also talked about her works in theatre and that she has directed in some of the plays and have also acted in many of others.

The lady anchor was conducting the talk in very cordial manner and did not interrupt if some of the interviewee was speaking something. She framed questioned in a manner to let the Khuranas speak their hearts out. The talk was held in a formal setup where all of the six participants were sitting in the chair in a semi-circle while the camera and lights were on. But as the photographpy by others was not allowed at that time so all the photos presented here are of just after the end of the talk show.

At he end of the talk show, the legendary actor Nasiruddin Shah was also seen on the spot with his wife who had come to act in a play at the Prithvi Theatre Festival and  also greeted the Khurana family. 

Also a few photographs can be seen at the end of this article in which a young musician wasv performing with his team in open premises of Prithvi Theatre while the Khurana's talk was over.

......

Report by - Hemant Das 'Him'

Photographs by - Bejod India blog  

Send your feedback to - editorbejodindia@yahoo.com

Note - The info missing in this article may please sent to the above email ID. The content will be included thankfully.

When Nasiruddin Shah and Ratna Pathak visited the event in 2016