On World Theatre Day, actor Anupam Kher reiterates why theatre remains central to his craft, calling it the one medium that constantly pushes him to stay alert and present.
“It’s a necessity to keep myself alive as an actor… it takes away the dust that can accumulate sometimes, the fear of no retake,” says Kher, pointing to the immediacy that sets theatre apart.
Theatre connects you directly with the audience, and despite decades of experience, the stage continues to bring with it a sense of uncertainty.
“Nervousness is still there,” he says, adding: “Being on the stage has given me the same amount of thrill as it gave me when I first stepped on it in 1994 for my show Salgirah.”
Kher shares how his approach to theatre and its influence has remained consistent, as he looks for stories that audiences can relate to.
“I like to do plays where the audience identifies with the story. I can’t do a play where the audience feels alienated. They should take away something from it,” he says.
Theatre is a kind of experience that never gets old, and Kher sees it continuing to function as a shared experience, even in the age of home entertainment.
