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`I never aspired to join Bollywood bandwagon'

More than entertaining the audience, theatre has a social responsibility, says M.K. Raina in a chat with Madhur Tankha

That most actors long to become part of the glamour world of Hindi films is a well-known fact. However, this creative person who made his mark as an actor in Awtar Krishna Kaul's film "27 Down" way back in the early 1970s has chosen theatre as a medium to express his views on thought-provoking issues and historical events.

Acclaimed theatre director M.K. Raina says he never aspired to join the Bollywood bandwagon. All this despite the fact that he was part of the parallel cinema movement and even has a body of work that can make any student of cinema proud. "I acted in films directed by Mrinal Sen and Mani Kaul. In Romesh Sharma's `New Delhi Times' I played the role of a photojournalist. The film also starred Shashi Kapoor. Then I acted in Govind Nihalani's `Tamas'. But I never thought of making Mumbai my home."

Having directed over 150 plays across the country in 14 languages, Raina seriously feels that more than entertaining the audience, theatre has a social responsibility. "I have done plays in Kashmiri, Dogri, Ladakhi, Manipuri and Bangla. My work in Kashmir is very significant. Plays are not just meant to make people laugh or cry but also bring about social development. I organise workshops in the Valley for orphans, students and youth. Theatre is a therapy and through it I try to get these people out of the trauma. With National School of Drama I am doing a project in Kashmir for the past five years."

Asserting that theatre acts as a bridge between the people living on either side of the border, Raina says there can be exchange of ideas with neighbouring countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal through theatre. Moreover, common issues like discrimination against women; especially female foeticide and poverty could also be addressed.

On his upcoming play "Larins Sahib" at Kamani Auditorium, Raina says it takes place at that point in history when Maharaja Ranjit Singh died. "People are working at cross-purposes. Lawrence wants Punjab, while Ranjit Singh's widow also wants control over the State. Even General Lal Singh and General Tej Singh want to be in power. Meanwhile, Lawrence is having conflict with British policies."

The director says the play has relevance in today's times as it demonstrates that an outsider can take control over your land if the local people keep fighting among themselves. Interestingly, the play is in a mixture of Punjabi, Hindi and English. "Some well-known NSD actors are acting in the play. As the play is set in Lahore, it will be appropriate if we can show the play there. I have even got an invitation from Pakistan to perform at Lahore Fort of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. That time it was united Punjab," adds Raina.

On his forthcoming documentary series "Grand Trunk" on Delhi Doordarshan Bharti, Raina says: "I have now started shooting at Wagah border but want to show Grand Trunk Road from Khyber Pass to Kolkata. In fact, Grand Trunk is a running river of commerce and links cities with places of faiths and culture. I have been sitting on this idea for years. Millions of people ride on it every day yet few know about this 2,500-km-long stretch of road. Even Sher Shah Suri had no idea of what was coming. It is like a National Geographic kind of thing. I have been working on it day and night and also anchoring the show."

Expressing disappointment that corporates were not coming forward to extend support to theatre like in the West, Raina says that private sector must accept responsibility. "They need to come in a more decent way and must not overdo things. In fact, they should be known for extending support to theatre. In the West, corporates support literature, theatre and painting."

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