IBNLive Chat: The theatre vs films tussle is eternal

THEATRE IS IN: Danish says theatre is not going to be out of fashion for sure.

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Keywords: Dastongi, India

Theatre personality Murtaza Danish Husain answers queries on Indian theatre over the ages, the art of story-telling and the future of actors.

Jhoomur: With multiplexes galore and movies releasing a dime a dozen, does theatre really have a scope in India? How big or small can/will things get?

Murtaza Danish Husain: Yes, theatre has scope. It will always have. And of course this eternal tussle between cinema and theatre will remain. But you can't have the same meal every day. So, theatre is not going to be out of fashion for sure.

Naseeruddin: How difficult it is to build perfect body for stage?

Murtaza Danish Husain: Hello Naseeruddin. Perfect body? I didn't get it bro. We're in theatre not wrestling :)

Naseeruddin: Why you are named after pastry?

Murtaza Danish Husain: My name is Persian word meaning "wisdom". I spell it the way Danes do.

Naseeruddin: How can I learn to act like you?

Murtaza Danish Husain: Well, I don't claim to be a great actor, Naseeruddin. There are more worthy names like your namesake. Acting is more like observing. You need to be a keen observer in order to portray those characters on stage.

Jayant: Does theatre give you enough for your daily bread?

Murtaza Danish Husain: Well theatre definitely doesn't pay you enough to sustain, especially when you're an actor. But I guess if you produce it, and be more like a technical support like a light designer, it may just pay you comfortably.

Eve: Acting for love or acting for money? And what's your take on actors who dance at weddings for money? Would you do it?

Murtaza Danish Husain: Well I think it's like fine balancing between your passion and your needs. At times one may have to accept assignments where one does it for money. We all need to live. Dancing at a shaadi is like performing. Someone wishes to do why not? We all perform in our private get togethers, somebody is just charging for it.

Arun Balaji: Could you please tell me the ways in which one could develop the art of story-telling.

Murtaza Danish Husain: To begin with one needs to have a good ear. You must be enjoying those stories. And when they become a part of you, narrating them becomes easier. It's like a joke you love to tell, it automatically comes to you to deliver it with panache.

Hindole: You are one of India's famous actors. What tips do you have for those following in your footsteps?

Murtaza Danish Husain: Really! I didn't know that Hindole. I am just another struggling actor looking for good meaty roles. Thanks for the praise. Well, just get under the skin of your character. :-)

Anonymous: Why are dramas not advertised as films are?

Murtaza Danish Husain: Because we do not have those kind of resources. If we did, we'd advertise like films too.

Pallav Nayak: Actors do intelligent roles in theatre but dumb ones in films, TV. Does this break their hearts?

Murtaza Danish Husain: Well not all of them. And sometimes actors have a problem adjusting to a new medium. Stage requires a bigger persona than what the actor have. Camera requires you to be realistic. Some actors are not able to adapt. But that doesn't mean we can extend you're statement to every actor.

Vikram: Who will watch a three hour movie in the near future, in this changing world?

Murtaza Danish Husain: Everyone. If it is good.

Azad: Why are they are copying Hollywood?

Murtaza Danish Husain: Hey Azad I think you meant "why are they..." and they I presume is Bollywood. Well, lack of original ideas. Simple. But once in a while we do get something worthwhile. :-)

Jayashree: How good are you?

Murtaza Danish Husain: Jayashree that's tough to answer. I am still at the drawing board discovering myself.

Jhoomur: Tell us more about Dastangoi and story-telling, what compelled you guys to 'revive' it?

Murtaza Danish Husain: Dastangoi is a form of storytelling. When the tradition was alive, 150 years back, Dastangos were impromptu creating tales as they were performing. These were fantastical tales of magic and tilism, fairies and goblets, etc. When we perform these tales now, people are wonderstruck that we had such rich imagination and literature in India before Tolkien or Rowling could even dream of it. Mahmood Farooqui was the one who actually revived it. I joined him later.

Pankaj: In Pakistan, theatre is king but India it's almost dying? Why?

Murtaza Danish Husain: That's not true. Theatre is alive and kicking in India and is far more diverse, rich and varied in India. We have a stronger tradition of theatre in our country. Pakistan is a new state. Just 60 years old. They're still grappling with basic identity issues.

Sim: Which play have you done?