Paresh Rawal: It’s a pity that there are only four good theatres in Gujarat

A witty statement or two is never far away when Paresh Rawal is around. The actor turned MP, who was in town to perform for his much acclaimed play Kishan vs Kanhaiya (a part of the mega art and culture festival held in Vadodara), talked to the media moments before his performance. On being requested to get down from the stage so that one could hear him properly, Rawal quipped, “Let me answer your questions from the stage itself.Kalakaar toh stage uparaj shobhe chhe!”
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However, Rawal minced no words while talking about the state of theatres in Gujarat. He said, “I love doing plays and there was a phase when I would be staying in Gujarat for six months at a stretch just to do plays. Today, I was shocked when I learnt that this place (a well-known auditorium in Akota) doesn’t even have a canteen! It really saddens me to see that in a state like Gujarat, which hosts around 1500 to 2000 shows in a year, there are only three or four good theatres, including one each in Gandhinagar, Surat and Rajkot. There are certain theatres where I have seen big rats moving around inside! I was told that one of the theatres (located at Jubilee Baug) in Vadodara had been renovated, but I wasn’t quite convinced about the same when I performed there recently. Gujarat needs far better theatres for staging plays.”
On being asked about whether the roaring success of the film OMG-Oh My God! had affected the popularity of the play, Rawal said, “Not really. The play has completely different USPs and unlike the film, we can incorporate fresh instances in it.”
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The Censor Board has been in news for all the wrong reasons of late and talking about it, Rawal said, “Personally, I feel that once a movie has been passed by the Censor Board, it should not be opposed. Also, those who demand for the inclusion of more people from the film fraternity in the Censor Board have a valid point.” At the same time, talking about freedom of expression in movies, he added, “Just like I don’t support those who vandalize theatres to show their opposition, I also don’t support hurting anyone’s sentiments. Both these things are wrong.”
The witty side of Rawal came to the fore again when he was asked about the recently released blockbuster PK and OMG being similar films, “Arre yaar, by that logic, every second Hindi film’s story shows a boy and girl being in love. Does that make them similar films?”
On a parting note, when Rawal was asked about how he manages to find time for doing theatre and films after becoming a member of the Parliament, Rawal says, “Actually I find it quite easy to handle. When the Parliament is in session, I make it a point to try and remain present as much as possible. Technology has made lives easier and so, managing different things isn’t that difficult anymore. I take my role as an elected MP very seriously and consider myself blessed that people have loved me both as an actor and an MP.”
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