Unlike films, the promotions of which start with a teaser, then a trailer, and then multiple trailers, in theatre, trailers are quite new. Except for a couple of plays that have explored promotions through a video platform, it mostly remains underexplored. But, for the upcoming theatre festival in Mumbai, Ansh Darshak Festival (July 25 to July 30), there will be a two-minute video that tells you about the festival.
Spearheaded by Makarand Deshpande, Ansh, since mid-90s, has satiated the desires of theatre lovers with plays of all kind. The young couple, Sumeet and Shweta Nadkarni, are two such ardent fans of theatre, who swear by the plays of Ansh. They wanted to contribute in some way to the vocation and to Deshpande. “We have been following all his plays for quite a few years now,” says Shweta, who is also the organiser of a small literary event in Mumbai, called Kahanikaar.
While she was doing one of the editions of it, she approached Deshpande for a segment. “That’s how we became friends,” she says. This was almost a year ago and in that one year that they have known him personally, they wanted to help him in any way possible as an appreciation for his work.
During Deshpande’s Patni last year, the couple spoke about their interest. “We wanted to do something to reach out to the younger generation, and also a newer set of audiences,” recalls Shweta. Deshpande had asked, “What can you do?” Coming from the television content background, the idea of a promo or trailer is what struck them instantly. “We requested him to give us a little time while he rehearses for Patni.” There was enough precaution taken to not disturb the artistes while the rehearsals were on. “We shot a small video and edited it to make a promo-video out of it,” says Shweta. Deshpande loved it.
A still from the play, Shakespeare Cha Mahatara
He once told Shweta, “There are people like you who don’t miss a single play. This festival is for them.” Shweta and Sumeet were mightily impressed with his words. “We thought that the line he said to me is a great one to start creating a promo out of it, and we just got on to it,” she says.
"Darshak hai toh natak hai. Ansh's journey of original full-length plays and short plays could happen only because of the audience who have been supporting, encouraging and valuing us from the last 22 years," says Deshpande, talking about the festival that will have six plays across six days at Prithvi Theatre in Mumbai.
The plays to be staged:
Patni: It’s a collaboration between two mavericks of theatre and music—Makarand Deshpande and Niladri Kumar (Sitar and Zitar).
Shakespeare Cha Mahatara: Shakespeare’s King Lear has haunted the world for 400 years; the battle between the father and the king within him is lost. It is the curse of his own decision that exists even now. The play is an exciting take on King Lear.
Miss Beautiful: Shirish a theatre writer-director urges his ageing parents, who want him to get married, to look at their death as a beautiful event. To convince them in a way they understand best, he employs a beautiful aspiring actress who plays the escort of death.
Joke: The childhood tooth fairy slowly fades away and before we know it, religious idols have taken her place. In the times of communal war, Sandeep Joshi, a writer decides to become an atheist—bid goodbye to the gods who have occupied his mindscape and bring back 'Pari', the fairy, who represents the innocence of his childhood. The question is, in doing so, does he become a joke?
Karodo Mein Ek: A billionaire family stays together in crisis, losing money is one thing but when the head of the family loses his mind, the drama of life is unprecedented.
Thumri Gazal Kavita - The Confluence: With Pandit Ajay Pohankar, Abhijeet Pohankar and Makarand Deshpande
Sir Sir Sarla: An unfelt, untold story of a professor and his students after they have graduated. The play was revived with a new cast including Makarand Deshpande as Sir, Sanjay Dadhich as Phanidhar and Aahana Kumra as Sarla, after 15 years on public demand.
For promo video, click here
