Kumud Mishra: The theatre audience comes for the play, not to fan over an actor

Kumud Mishra was seen on stage after four years in a play titled ‘Purane Chawal’ at the Prithvi Theatre Festival. While the actor has deeply impressed the audience with his roles in movies, his passion for theatre and belief that this medium of performing arts will thrive is evident. Mishra, who did not take up any other project for a few months to focus entirely on this play, talks to us at length about the beauty of theatre, working with young actors, and more.
‘I feel there is a shortage of performing spaces’
Talking about the economics and commercial viability of this medium, Mishra explains, “There is a shortage of performing spaces.In that regard, Prithvi is a true blessing for us, it is a place where you can continuously nurture and hone your art. However, I have witnessed the emergence of new, albeit, smaller spaces where emerging actors are given an opportunity to perform. The key is that the economics of theatre should be sound.” However, he also adds that whatever the space or the format, “a good story is the only hero an actor needs”. “Aapke pass kahaani hai kehne ke liye, toh log aayenge. That’s the beauty of theatre. As long as one person wants to tell the story and another is willing to hear it, theatre will thrive. So, I am not worried about the medium,” he says.

‘I enjoy working with young directors’
The ‘Thappad’ actor, who also produces plays, constantly encourages and collaborates with young talent. He explains, “I enjoy working with young directors. As you grow older, you tend to become rigid, both physically and mentally. A fresh perspective is essential to break that rigidity, and that can only be introduced by young people. Not every project will turn out perfectly, but my experience will keep getting enriched because every talent brings their unique grammar to a production.”

‘The medium shouldn’t be individual-centric’
“Theatre is primarily a director’s medium,” Mishra explains to us, on being asked if he expects his name to pull in more audience for the play. “I am fine with my name being used to promote the show, but I still find it uncomfortable. I am a purist in that regard. Naam se bada naatak. The theatre audience comes to enjoy the play, not to fan over a particular actor. For that, there is cinema and the associated stardom. Theatre, as a medium, is vast, and if we focus on individuals, we will not do justice to it. So, I don’t see myself at the centre of anything; the medium is at the centre of it all. Theatre is not an individual medium,” he signs off.