SHREYAS TALPADE | The Iqbal actor, launched Nine Rasa, an OTT platform dedicated to theatre and performing arts. He speaks with SHALINI SAKSENA about the aim of this platform, his upcoming projects and how the concept of story-telling is changing
We haven't seen you in a movie for a couple of years. What is keeping you busy?
The last one year, I have been busy building Nine Rasa. It took almost all my time, quite literally. One starts with an idea to actually execute it takes a lot of time, effort and money. But it has been worth it.
What is app about?
It is the first ever OTT platform that is completely dedicated to theatre and performing arts. It has anything and everything that happens on stage and will essentially be on this particular platform. It will include full-length plays, one-act plays, skits, stand up, story reading - be is poetry or songs, dance in almost all the Indian languages. To begin with, it will be in Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, English/Hinglish. Going forward, we will be adding more languages to the platform.
What about movies?
Once the first lockdown opened. I have been busy shooting for not only Hindi but Marathi films; there are new series in the works. I have been busy with a film Love You Shankar directed by Rajeev Ruia who did My Friend Ganesha earlier. I did a Marathi film with Mahesh Manjrekar. I am shooting for a movie in Rajasthan titled Mannu and Munni Ki Shaadi; it is 90 per cent complete. Hopefully these films will release once cinema halls open. I am also acting and directing a film — Sarkar Ke Seva Mein before the pandemic. We hope to complete the shoot and release it as well.
What kind of content will people get to see?
Essentially anything that is creative will find its way on this platform. Theatre is one of the richest and finest entertainment. For a long time, it has stayed limited to auditoriums. Now is the need for theatre to reach out to a lot more people; to every household. The content is completely family-friendly. Usually, family and friends come to watch plays. This platform is the same.
What is the aim?
The aim intention with which this platform was conceptulised was to help the theatre community and fraternity due to the present pandemic especially during the first lockdown, last year. A lot of theatre friends called asking what could be done under the situation to help out theatre people. That was also when things had started to go online. I felt that if everything was going online, why not theatre. We also released that there is a bigger need to reach out to global audience and started building towards it.
There are so many apps. Do you think there is scope for more?
There is place and scope for not only my app but many more apps that are unique. This platform is unique since it is the is first of its kind app dedicated to theatre and performing arts. On a lighter vein, there were so many actors before me and there will be so many who will come after me. This app will be no different. If the content is good people would like to see it.
Have OTT platforms made it mandatory for actors to reinvent themselves?
There are two things associated with this. When you see some actors on the platform you feel that they are meant to be on it. There is so much raw and hidden talent in them. The new actors one sees here, one wonders where they were. Then there have been actors who have reinvented themselves and set a precedent which is difficult to top. But this is what we have been taught in theatre - your performance speaks for itself.
How has this last one year changed the way industry will operate in the future?
Nothing changes overnight. It takes time but the change has started with OTT coming to the forefront. There are new stars on the block and therefore, this platform is a great level playing field for them.
Has content on OTT changed storyline of films as well — realistic cinema taking front seat?
The entire concept of story-telling is changing. People are looking for true and real stories, inspiring stories. Realism, subtly and stories about people from Tier I and II cities are taking front seat. There are so many stories that are waiting to the be told and will now be told. Hopefully, my app will also play its role in telling such stories.
What next?
The year 2020 has taught us many important lessons. It has given us many opportunities as well and forced us to get out of our comfort zone and think out-of-the-box. What comes next is going to be interesting for me. One can do so many things. However, we can never be ready for what the future holds for us. But we now have the confidence to face things bravely and move forward so that what comes next is bright and good.