‘We fight over content and direction styles, it's a true partnership:' Rasika Agashe on collaborating with husband Zeeshan Ayyub, theatre, and life behind the scenes
An alumna of the National School of Drama (NSD), with nearly two decades of experience across theatre, television, and film, Agashe has built a reputation as one of India's most committed theatre voices.
Her husband, actor Zeeshan Ayyub, on the contrary, has been more proactive and built a prominent career in Bollywood. 'It's actually a reverse journey,' she says, about that.
In a candid conversation, she reflects on navigating a world increasingly shaped by OTT platforms, her grounding post-rehearsal rituals, and why—if she had to script it—her journey in theatre would be a sharp, dark comedy.
Edited excerpts below:
Q: Was there a turning point or challenge that made you rethink your path as a theatre artist? How did you bounce back?
Rasika Agashe: Honestly, there was never. I've wanted to act since childhood. Yes, as I matured, I did shift my dreams from wanting to be Madhuri Dixit to Shabana Azmi. Luckily, the right people—like Atul Kulkarni—noticed me during college theatre days and pushed me towards NSD. My journey's been pretty clean. If I had to sum it up in one word, I'd say 'eye-opening'.
Q: With audiences gravitating towards OTT, how do you craft narratives that draw people back to live theatre?
Rasika Agashe: This concern isn't new—it came up when cinema began, when TV arrived, and now with OTT. Theatre is timeless; it's the only live medium. People who crave that raw, real connection will always come back. The decline in audience, I feel, is more economic than artistic. In places like Maharashtra or Gujarat, people still flock to plays. Theatre and OTT are just different art forms, comparing the two is like comparing a painting to a CGI image.
Q: What's one daring experiment or change you'd love to see on Indian stages soon?
Rasika Agashe: New content. For a while, Indian theatre was stuck doing the same old classics. At Sanhita Manch, we're working to bring fresh writing on stage, scripts that reflect our current times. Theatre must evolve with society.
Q: While your husband Zeeshan has found his stride in Bollywood, you've remained devoted to theatre. What anchors you to it, even with the glamour of cinema?
Rasika Agashe: Theatre is my first love. Films are glamorous and pay more—so yes, when I run out of money, I turn to film or TV work. Recently I've started exploring film direction, which excites me. But theatre is pure. Every new play resets me. It humbles me. It makes me more human.
Q: How do you and Zeeshan blend your unique experiences while collaborating on Sanhita Manch?
Rasika Agashe: Zeeshan is our producer—he funds our festivals, which allows me to take creative risks. But he's more than that. He joins rehearsals when free, and helps with actor training. We fight over content and direction styles—it's a true partnership. He says the energy in theatre fuels him when he returns to films.
Q: If you were to direct Zeeshan in a play, what's one skill or nuance you'd most love to see him develop further for the stage?
Rasika Agashe: He's a brilliant actor—I'd love to direct him in any role. It's not just about being his wife; I truly admire his craft. Hopefully, he'll come back on stage this year.
Q: During hectic rehearsal days, do you have a favorite ritual or guilty pleasure that recharges you?
Rasika Agashe: Coffee. After late-night rehearsals, Zeeshan and I unwind over coffee, discussing what worked, what didn't, and possible fixes. It's our little reset button.
Q: If you had to capture your theatre journey as a play, what genre would it be, and what playful or dramatic title would you give it?
A post shared by Being Association (@beingassociation)
Rasika Agashe: A dark comedy, for sure. Life is bizarre, and theatre reflects that beautifully. I think the play I'm currently directing says it all—All That Matters. It doesn't preach, it helps us laugh at the strange world we live.
The Sanhita Manch 2025 theatre festival runs from August 1-3.
Cherry Gupta is an Assistant Manager – Content at The Indian Express. She leads the Top 10 section, curating list-based features on key national and international developments, and manages daily news content. She also produces SEO-driven articles and collaborates with the Lifestyle team to conduct interviews with notable artists and write workplace culture features. ... Read More
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
3 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Art exhibition on Gandhi's struggle against communalism
An art exhibition titled 'You I could not Save, Walk with Me – Freedom, Gandhi, 169 Days' will begin at 5.30 p.m. on August 9, Quit India Day, at the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi courtyard in Thrissur. The exhibition is a creative response to a journey undertaken by photographer Sudheesh Ezhuthu, poet P. N. Gopikrishnan, and painter Murali Cheeroth. They travelled through Noakhali, Bihar, Delhi, and Kolkata, following the path of Gandhi's historic resistance, and collected materials for the exhibition. Murali Cheeroth and human geographer Jayaraj Sundaresan are curating the exhibition, which integrates photographs, poems, and various visual and audio art forms. Throughout the exhibition, which runs until August 18, lectures and cultural programmes will be held every evening. Classical vocalist Kalapini Komkali and the singers of Kerala Kalamandalam will sing songs related to Gandhi's life on different days. The main reason for conducting the exhibition is the realisation that studying and discussing the politics and practice of Gandhi's resistance to communalism can provide great energy and inspiration to overcome the challenges faced by contemporary Indian society, according to the Democratic Secular Collective, an alliance of Thrissur-based Samadarshi and several other cultural organisations and individuals, which organises the exhibition.
News18
26 minutes ago
- News18
Fresh incident of firing at Kapil Sharmas Cafe in Surrey, Canada: Reports
Surrey [Canada], August 7 (ANI): Shots were reportedly fired at Indian comedian and actor Kapil Sharma's Kap's Cafe in Surrey, the second such incident reported in less than a month, according to a report by Indo-Canadian Voice. A viral social media post, allegedly shared by gangster Goldy Dhillon and attributed to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, claimed responsibility for the attack.'Jai Shri Ram… aaj jo Kapil Sharma ke Kap's Cafe, Surrey mein firing hui hai, iski zimmedari Goldy Dhillon te Lawrence Bishnoi gang leti hai… next karwai jald hi Mumbai mein karenge, (Goldy Dhillon and Lawrence Bishnoi gang take responsibility for today's firing at Kaps Cafe in Surrey, we will now do this in Mumbai next), " the post read. However, no independent verification of the claim has been made so far. Surrey Police authorities have not shared detail about the firing at Kaps Cafe so far. Further details are awaited. This reported attack comes less than a month after a shooting incident at the same cafe in the second week of July, when several gunshots were fired. Police had launched an investigation into the attack, the Vancouver Sun had reported. Several gunshots had rung outside Kap's Cafe at 1:50 am (local time), according to Surrey Police Service. Police had said some staff members had been present inside the restaurant at the time of the shooting. No one was injured in the cafe had opened earlier that week. At least 10 bullet holes were seen in a window at Kap's Cafe that morning, while another window pane was shattered. The building where the cafe is located has retail units at ground level and residential apartments above; however, it was not known how many residents live in the building. A multi-faith centre and two other yet-to-be-opened businesses occupy other ground-level units. Officers were seen in the restaurant gathering evidence while children played across the street outside a daycare in the Newton neighbourhood, which had been cordoned off by police tape, as reported by Vancouver Sun. Spokesperson Staff Sgt. Lindsey Houghton said police were aware of reports in Indian media claiming that a Khalistani separatist had claimed responsibility for the shooting. In a statement, the Surrey Police Service (SPS) said the investigation was still in the very early stages and that 'connections to other incidents and potential motives are being examined." Police did not have a suspect description and the motive behind the shooting had not been determined, Vancouver Sun reported. Houghton added officers were still speaking to witnesses and working to obtain CCTV footage. He said, 'Once that's done, we'll have a better idea of what happened."Anyone with information regarding the shooting was asked to call police at 604-599-0502 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. (ANI)
NDTV
33 minutes ago
- NDTV
UK Chef Makes Special Thepla Using Leftover Khichdi, Indian Foodies Approve
UK Chef Jake Dryan is currently on a mission to cook Indian delicacies with his personal touch. The ardent Indian food lover can be seen attempting the country's most loved dishes. His latest indulgence? Thepla, the Gujarati delight known to go well with a range of side dishes and the ability to be stored and carried during travel. Interestingly, Jake adds a unique twist to the authentic recipe of thepla. Alongside the common ingredients like whole wheat flour, chickpea flour (besan), and fenugreek leaves (methi), along with spices, he picks a bowl of khichdi. The chef says, "Thepla made with leftover Khichdi." He mixes the khichdi with chapati flour, chilli powder, turmeric powder, sesame seeds, ajwain seeds, yoghurt, chopped green chilli, chopped green onions, and kneads the dough perfectly with the addition of oil into it. Afterwards, he rolls the dough into thin flatbreads, while mentioning, "I'm out of practice." His key takeaway in the recipe - "The dough is more wet, so it's harder." Jake Dryan then cooks the thepla on a hot griddle (tawa) until both sides are cooked and slightly browned. He plates the delectable dish alongside kheera (cucumber) raita and mango pickle. His expressions upon savouring the theplas indicate they were mouth-watering. Take a look at his recipe here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by JAKE DRYAN (@plantfuture) Here's how foodies reacted in the comments section: A user said, "You are more Gujarati than us." Another added, "You are more Indian than most Indians, lol, I love it!!!!! Amazing food, please keep sharing!" Someone hilariously mentioned, "Leftover khichdi thepla. You have officially started thinking like an Indian Mom." Echoing the same sentiment, a foodie said, "You are OG housewife also, a new recipe with leftover food skill is acquired, you have passed this test with distinction." "You must have been Desi in your last lifetime. Nailed it," read a comment. When a user asked, "Wow!! Thanks for sharing. Never knew leftover khichdi could be turned into thepla. Where did you learn this recipe?" The chef replied, "I wanted something to use my leftover Khichdi for, I was thinking a paratha, but then I just looked if anyone had made a khichdi thepla before, and some people have! Recipe, I just winged it." A person even mentioned, "We'll need the khichdi recipe tooooo." What did you think of this viral recipe? Let us know in the comments below.
