Actress Shikha Talsania, who made an impressive debut with Ayan Mukerji’s Wake Up Sid, turns a year older today. On her special occasion, she talks to us about the recent success of her web shows Shanti Kranti and Potluck. She also talks about how streaming platforms have opened new avenues for actors and why theater is not a dying industry. Interview excerpts:
How are you planning to celebrate your birthday?
There are no big plans. I am planning to have dinner with family and my close friends
Any fond memories of your birthday as a child?
Old School Cake with Buttercream Frosting! And also leave one class to go to school and distribute candy to all other classes.
OTT has been largely ruled by investigative thrillers and crime shows. Peace Revolution and Potluck were a refreshing change. What attracted you to these two shows?
exactly that! Both were a refreshing change. Peace Revolution was created by dear friends Sarang and Paula and I have admired their work over the years. The fact that I got to work with my friends, the wonderfully nuanced storyline, the characters I got to play – all played a factor in choosing Shanti Kranti. The biggest attraction for me though was the challenge of doing a Marathi web series – being a girl from Mumbai, I know the language, but performing in a language in which you are not very fluent was exciting.
It was meant to be Prerna (her character) in Potluck! The urban middle-class family dynamics, the humour, the heart and soul of the potluck, the relatability of the story of our daily lives—I had to say yes and be a part of it.
Shanti Kranti is your first foray into regional cinema. How was your overall experience?
It was exciting, nerve-wracking and an absolute pleasure. The challenge of performing in a language that no one is fluent in was extremely exciting. We watch content in different languages from our country and around the world. So, the opportunity to expand my experience was extremely thrilling for me.
You know Sarang Sathaye, Paula McGlynn (founder of Bhadeepa) and have worked with her in the past. Was this also one of the reasons why you said yes to the Peace Revolution?
Yes, Sarang and I have acted together in a few plays and since then I have been assaulting him. I have been the Chairman since the inception of his company Bhadeepa. I have admired all the material they have created and put out over the years. So, when I was asked if I would be a part of the peace revolution, it was a clear yes.
Much regional content has been appreciated by the audience regardless of language. Would you attribute this change to OTT?
OTT platforms have made content more accessible. It has also created a vast opportunity to create and be a part of stories from every corner of our country and the world.
With OTT coming to the fore in the last few years, do you think actors who might not have been getting enough work are finally getting their due?
Every actor, every artist will confirm that if there are opportunities, if there are other ways to create – we will take them. That’s art. With OTT there are more opportunities and opportunities available for artists to experiment with their craft. I definitely agree that many actors are getting work and credit because of the streaming platform. But, we still have a long way to go. I hope this trajectory moves from strength to strength and opens up more and I hope we don’t slip when it comes to numbers.
You have been a theater artist. How do you see the future of the theater industry, which many believe is already a dying breed? Also what can be done to revive it?
Nobel laureate John Steinbeck once said, ‘The theater is the only institution in the world that has been dying for four thousand years and has never given up.’ I agree with him. Live theater will never die, it will have to adapt, but it will not die. I don’t think it needs to be restarted. The industry is booming! Pandemic conditions around the world have made it difficult to perform live. I performed three different plays to packed audiences before the second wave hit was a testament to the fact that theater didn’t need a revival.
Do you think Online/Zoom represents the future of stage theatre?
I do not know. It may be a part of it, but I don’t think it will be the only thing. Man is a social animal. Nothing can replace the magic of experiencing a live performance.
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