Celebrity Interviews (NEW!)

CELEBRITIES IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER

DINYAR CONTRACTOR

Actor/Writer/Director/Producer

Basically an ACTOR.

With EXPERIENCE, WRITER and DIRECTOR..

Out of COMPULSION, a PRODUCER!

1) How and when did you step into the field of Acting and Theatre?

It started in my school and college days.

I started Professional Theatre in the year 1966-67.

2) What difficulties did you face when you were new in this field?

I never faced any difficulties since I was under the umbrella of Indian National Theatre (INT).

But, when I started my own Production House, I had some problems which were eventually overcomed.

3) When was your first time when you were offered a role for Television?

‘Aavo Mari Saathe’ with Adi Marzban on Doordarshan.

When Doordarshan’s second channel started, I was a part of the inauguration of the channel.

4) Do you like Theatre or Television or Movies? Why?

I like Theatre since facing a live audience enhances your character unlike serials where you shoot and have no live interaction with the audience.

5) How was your experience acting in the famous Gujarati serial ‘Pappa Ni Paarlaament’ and how many awards did you achieve for it?

It was fun doing ‘Pappa Ni Paarlaament’. Job satisfaction was there but no finance satisfaction. I used to shoot 16-18 scenes per day.

I received the ‘Best Actor’ award besides the serial got many other awards like:

Best Writer

Best Supporting Actor

Best Serial

6) How many other awards have you received till date?

On Theatre, there are no awards as such. The Greatest achievement is when the audience pays and comes to watch our plays. I will complete 42 years in Theatre on 1st may ’09, which is my biggest achievement.

7) Do you think that Gujarati Theatre is more successful than English Theatre in India?

Yes, Gujarati Theatre has got a lot of potential and audience. Nowadays, English plays have been replaced by Hinglish plays, which combine Hindi and English. Previously there were Queen’s English plays with characters like Harry, etc.

8) Which was your longest running play?

‘Maaro Line Toh Tabiyat Fine’ which completed 500 shows.

This play was also done in Marathi known as ‘Marli Line Tar Tabiyat Hoil Fine’.

9) Do you think that Theatre is still disorganised in India?

It is a very broad term and depends mostly on the producer. Producer A may be organized, but Producer B might not be organized.

10) What is your dream?

At the age of 70, I don’t have any dream as my every dream has already materialised. But, I want to die with my boots on in the last days of my life.

HOMI WADIA

Actor/Director/Producer

1) How and when did you step into the field of Acting and Theatre?

College days - Intercollegiate competitions.

2) What difficulties did you face when you were new in this field?

Not much..... The usual.... i.e. You don’t get recognised till you get the right break....

The most difficult factor is TIME and WHEN you get the right break.

3) When was your first time when you were offered a role for Television?

Somewhere in '84 for the serial on Doordarshan named 'SUBAH'.

4) Do you like Theatre or Television or Movies? Why?

All three. They deal with creativity. The formats are different. Satisfaction and money are very interesting.

5) How was your experience acting in the famous Gujarati serial ‘So Dahada Saasu Naa’?

It was fun… Thought it wasn’t a long tenure.

6) Are you excited to do Hemant Karkare’s role in the new movie coming up on the subject of 26/11?

The man named Hemant Karkare holds great respect within me.

I don’t think its a ROLE ... Its my dedication to the police force.

7) Did you face any difficulties while producing the Gujarati serial ‘Sami Saanj Naa Shamnaa’?

Nope... It was like a family affair. It was as smooth as a hot knife cutting thru butter.

8) How many awards have you achieved till date?

Don’t remember honestly. May be around 8/10, though awards don’t instigate me. Success amongst by audience does.

9) Do you think that Gujarati Theatre is more successful than English Theatre in India?

Well have never done English Theatre. So I cannot comment on it.

9) Which was your longest running play?

'Shukra-Mangal' around 380 shows.

10) Do you think that Theatre is still unorganised in India?

Still?????

When WAS it unorganised?????

What makes you ask this question??

(I am mentioning about Gujarati Theatre)

11) What is your dream?

I don’t get enough sleep!

Rima (Lagoo)

Actor

1) How and when did you step into the field of Acting and Theatre?

When I was 6 years old, I started working as a child artist in Hindi as well as Marathi.

2) What difficulties did you face when you were new in this field?

I never had any kind of fear or difficulties when I was new in this field.

3) When was your first time when you were offered a role for Television?

I was offered a role for a Teleplay on Doordarshan in Marathi.

4) Do you like acting in Theatre or Television or Movies? Why?

I like Theatre since I feel very comfortable doing it.

I like Movies as I have a passion for the big screen and I always feel that I ought to be present in it.

5) How was your experience acting in famous serials like ‘Shrimaan Shrimati’ and ‘Tu Tu Main Main’?

It was fun. I took a challenge that I can do light comedy roles also and I have already conveyed this to the audience.

6) How many awards have you achieved till date?

For Television, I have received awards for both the serials ‘Shrimaan Shrimati’ and ‘Tu Tu Main Main’. But for Movies, I have never got any awards though I have been nominated many times for the ‘Best Supporting Actor’.

7) Which was your longest running play?

‘Purush’ – Marathi play which completed 1000 shows.

‘Kavita Damodar Paranjpe’ – Marathi play which completed 900 shows.

9) Do you think that Theatre is still unorganised in India?

I can’t say that its unorganized. But, there can be lot of improvements in the condition of the theatres. I also feel that the payment of the artistes should be increased.

10) What is your dream?

I always dream that I should get best roles. I also want to direct films.

INTERVIEWS TAKEN EXCLUSIVELY FOR THIS WEBSITE BY ZUBIN ENGINEER.