Makarand Deshpande on his play Ma in Transit ahead of Dubai show

Ma in Transit, a Hindi-language play about a son struggling to come to terms with his mother’s death, will be staged in Dubai. We speak to actor and writer Makarand Deshpande.

Makarand Deshpande. Courtesy Simi Events

Indian actor Makarand Deshpande's eccentric style make him stand out in Bollywood movies even when part of the supporting cast. The 50-year-old actor's big hairdo and bushy moustache have landed him the roles like that of a capricious naxalite (member of Communist guerrilla group in India) in Lal Salaam (2002) and a fakir (needy man) in Shah Rukh Khan's Swades (2004).

He boisterous and impromptu technique stems from his long career in theatre where he first developed a passion for writing and acting. But moving away from his often perplexing plays, the playwright decided to tap into his own grief to pen Ma in Transit, a Hindi-language play about a son struggling to come to terms with his mother's death. The thespian, who has written and acted in more than 350 full-length plays in several languages under his theatre company Ansh, will be staging the play at Ductac - Mall of the Emirates on Saturday.

Deshpande will play the heartbroken son, while actress Ahlam Khan, the daughter of the late Bollywood actor Amjad Khan, will essay the role of his mother. Deshpande tells us how the play became a way to find solace.

Can you tell us more about the play?

The play deals with how a son is not letting his mother go. He tries to delay his mother’s last rites in the hope that he can spend more time with her. It’s about how the son is reluctant to face his mother, the reality, his fears and their shared truths. It takes the audience back to the human mind to realisations and forbidden conversations.

The play emphasises on how the rituals and traditions help you come to terms with death. How they slowly shape your mind, help you understand that the person is not present. It somehow gives you closure and I have tried to highlight this. This entire theatrical experience is not a documentary style. After doing this play, I also realised that every ritual which is designed has a lot of thought put into it. We probably don’t see the meaning behind it but its all so connected. It definitely offers you solace.

What inspired you to write the play?

I lost my mother two years ago and couldn’t cope up with the loss. I wrote this play and in the process came to realise that she is gone. This play helped me cope with the loss. I found myself by losing myself.

Was it difficult channeling the emotions and personal feelings to create this piece of work?

As an actor, the most difficult thing is to come back to reality. When the lights are off and the curtain has raised and when the show is over, you have to snap back!

What has the reaction been to the play in the cities you have staged it in?

We have performed it in several parts of India, mostly in Mumbai for theatre festivals and in Kolkata as well. Lots of people who watched it realise and reflect back on their equation with their mother. The power of a live performance is great.

When did you journey into theatre begin?

I honestly have always been enthusiastic about theatre. Theatre is my first love. I started Ansh 21 years ago and sometimes it gets difficult to run it , maintain it. So I end up doing movies to make money for it. But my passion lies in theatre.The only thing I love about working in films is the fact that I get to travel while shooting.

Did you also always want to write for stage, as well?

Not really, things just unfolded along the way. Theatre is fluid. I ended up opening my own company and do festivals every year. I enjoy writing plays, creating them, defining them. I never planned anything.

What have you achieved with Ansh in the last 21 years?

The people we have met and got involved in theatre. The stories we have created and the emotions which we have brought out in the audience at every play. 21 years has been long but passed incredibly fast. There is more theatre in the pipeline, in more cities and more drama to create.

What was the last play, English or any other language that you enjoyed?

Einstein

Any new movies on the horizon?​

I am playing the character of Jahan with Shreyas Talpade in a movie called Pratichhaya. It's a psychological thriller. I'm looking forward to it.

Ma in Transit will be staged at Ductac - Mall of the Emirates on October 16 from 8pm. Tickets are from Dh150 on www.ductac.org