AKVARIOUS @ 25

LET'S START WITH WHY

Let's Start with Why is born out of the need for Indian theatre makers to talk about their upcoming work.

With mainstream media ignoring us almost entirely, and social media being all about images, reels and quotable quotes, there is no place any more for makers to explain why they are making a particular work. There is no place for them to answer honest questions about their work, their artistic choices, their process or their journeys.

Set in a conversational QnA format, Let's Start with Why is an attempt to provide makers a nuanced voice, and to provide audience members an informed choice.

No rants. No clickbait. No flame wars. Just talking about the work.

"Don’t reinvent the wheel. Don’t try and ‘better’ what has come before to prove a point, or to prove yourself. That’s where the real danger lies, that need for making a mark or scaling up or whatever." Akash Khurana shares his negotiables and non-negotiables for theatre, writing, sustainability and life.

The Value of Values ft. Akash Khurana

"At Prithvi and NCPA, I was introduced to a very intimate experience, to being with that character, feeling what the character is feeling. I would be the first in the line, and in the second or third row. And with all of these plays, you know, somehow the experiences are very, very rich. Fulfilling." Rahil Shah, Art-repreneuer from Baroda on his love affair with theatre and Akvarious.

Vivek Madan

22 hours ago14 min read

"At Prithvi and NCPA, I was introduced to a very intimate experience, to being with that character, feeling what the character is feeling. I would be the first in the line, and in the second or third row. And with all of these plays, you know, somehow the experiences are very, very rich. Fulfilling." Rahil Shah, Art-repreneuer from Baroda on his love affair with theatre and Akvarious.

Theatre is my Jam ft. Rahil Shah

Vivek Madan

4 days ago15 min read

Some Sound Advice ft Varruun Bangera

"It's definitely gone ahead from “Can you just give me three phone calls and two door knocks” to being more thought out. Most directors ask me to come in, see what I feel, let me play around with moods and tones. And many also have specific rehearsals just to test ideas for the sound design." Varruun Bangera for once on the other side of the mic, on the intricacies of sound design, his favourites and his process.

Vivek Madan

5 days ago14 min read

Multiple Personality Order ft Mantra Mugdh

"Every Christmas they needed a Santa Claus. Guess who they picked? On Children's Day I used to dress up like a cartoon character. Because I loved to sing and dance and entertain people." Mantra Mugdh, the man of many lives, shares his experiences on several of them.

Vivek Madan

Nov 1416 min read

"I never expected Akvarious to do a play like Baghdad Wedding in my life! Or There's Something in the Water. But they did. They pushed the boundaries." Kashin Shetty, one of the oldest original Akvariants, and the keeper of memories and menus, holds forth on his beginnings, his approach to acting and his love for all things theatre.

The Memoryman ft. Kashin Shetty

"I never expected Akvarious to do a play like Baghdad Wedding in my life! Or There's Something in the Water. But they did. They pushed the boundaries." Kashin Shetty, one of the oldest original Akvariants, and the keeper of memories and menus, holds forth on his beginnings, his approach to acting and his love for all things theatre.

Vivek Madan

Nov 515 min read

"After every project, I feel like now my life is over. And sometimes I forget that I'm only 22. And I have an eternity ahead of me. I can take it slow, I don't have to be in a rush. " Dhrreti Bhatt, Akvarious's newest playwright-director speaks to us about ideas for new plays, about her process, her relationship with God, and ends with some pointed observations on the state of theatre in Bombay.

Inheriting Kindness ft. Dhrreti Bhatt

"After every project, I feel like now my life is over. And sometimes I forget that I'm only 22. And I have an eternity ahead of me. I can take it slow, I don't have to be in a rush. " Dhrreti Bhatt, Akvarious's newest playwright-director speaks to us about ideas for new plays, about her process, her relationship with God, and ends with some pointed observations on the state of theatre in Bombay.

Vivek Madan

Oct 513 min read

"I really enjoy the design process. Finding worlds that are created through light to bring the director's vision to life." Yael Crishna, lighting designer and operator shifts focus from her journey, to her design process and to her reliance on teamwork in the theatre.

Tilt up! ft. Yael Crishna

"I really enjoy the design process. Finding worlds that are created through light to bring the director's vision to life." Yael Crishna, lighting designer and operator shifts focus from her journey, to her design process and to her reliance on teamwork in the theatre.

Vivek Madan

Sep 2514 min read

Comfortable and Competent ft. Prerna Chawla

"If you're a competent, amiable actor and you work well in a group, you have repeat value." Prerna Chawla speaks to us on what it takes to be a jobbing actor today, on the favourite roles in her repertoire, and on the merits of laugh-out-loud theatre.

Vivek Madan

Sep 1112 min read

On Changing Times ft. Shikha Talsania

"There are stories in all the projects I remember fondly. I'm always grateful. For when people show up for you in ways you didn't expect, or when you least expected it." Shikha Talsania, actor on stage and screen and long time Akvariant takes a plunge into the beauty and banality of working as a professional actor today.

Vivek Madan

Sep 311 min read

Taking Cues ft. Sarang Sathaye

"The younger generation will come back to theatre in big numbers if we start listening to them and representing them" Sarang Sathaye, co-founder of BhaDiPa on how theatre makers need to be more aware of the world, on how it's time for theatre to change, and to really take centre stage.

Vivek Madan

Jun 2713 min read

Once there was a little girl... ft. Kshitee Jog

"I always wanted to act. I never wanted to do anything else." Kshitee Jog, actor, powerhouse, reluctant star, gives us a glimpse on growing up in a theatre family, what it means to be a star, and recognising second chances.

Vivek Madan

Jun 279 min read

13 going on 30 ft. Garima Yajnik

"The challenging and interesting things find me at the right time. " Singer, dancer, actor Garima Yajnik on how she finds work, the difference between acting and creatign music, and the privilege of being part of a family.

Vivek Madan

Jun 279 min read

Do better, do more ft. Dilshad Edibam Khurana

"You have to be a bit unstable in the head. That's basically an Akvarious actor." Hear it from the horse's mouth, folks. Dilshad Edibam Khurana comes clean.

Vivek Madan

May 168 min read

Cut and Colour ft. The Costume Team

The Costume Team ("Because our clothes have layers, not our name"), Mumbai's dynamic dressers on how they try and make all kinds of storytellers look - and feel - good.

Vivek Madan

May 159 min read

Beautiful. Memorable. Painful. ft. Aseem Hattangady

Quotes like these make wonderful titles. Maybe someday an autobiography. Aseem Hattangady has enough anecdotes and opinions to write one fairly soon. Here's a sneak peek.

Vivek Madan

May 159 min read

Came for the theatre. Stayed for the theatre. ft. Mallika Singh

"There is no bigger gift than to have a director see your passion for the craft." Mallika Singh, long-time theatrewali and relatively new AkVariant, expounds.

Vivek Madan

May 146 min read