Trained actors brings depth, no viral fame can replicate: Kumud Mishra
Kumud Mishra
, known for his memorable roles in Rockstar, Article 15, Thappad and MS Dhoni, is in
Bengaluru for his play,
Saanp Seedhi
, produced by Aadyam Theatre. In conversation with Bangalore Times, he talks about his love for theatre, the art of
storytelling
, and more.
'On stage, it is the energy of the room influences your performance'
When asked if he changes his acting style for each medium, Kumud, who has spent decades moving between stage and screen, explains, 'There is no conscious switch because each medium shapes you. On stage, the energy of the room influences your performance, while on screen, precision is key.'
Theatre is home. It was the space where I found my voice. While OTT and movies are thrilling in their own way, theatre is where I truly feel alive
Kumud Mishra
'Storytelling is humanity's oldest tradition'
While two-minute content dominates social media,
live performances
still captivate people from all walks of life, believes Kumud.
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He says, 'Storytelling is humanity's oldest tradition, it won't vanish. People are still coming to watch plays. Recently, we had a houseful show in Delhi and Mumbai. At a time when we barely converse at home, lost in our screens, theatre is bringing back that lost connection. The experience of watching live emotional expression on stage is irreplaceable.
'
'Acting isn't onlyabout delivering lines'
Sharing his thoughts on the realities of filmmaking, Kumud mentions, 'There is no doubt that filmmaking is a business.
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But if you choose someone for their social media followers instead of their craft, you are sacrificing depth. Acting isn't only about delivering lines — it's about living truthfully in imaginary scenarios.' He emphasises the value of training, saying, 'A trained actor knows how to breathe life into a character.
They've studied emotion, voice and silence. They bring depth no viral fame can replicate. The audience may come once for the hype, but they return for honesty.'
'Cinema's primary role is entertainment, yet it can subtly nudge society towards change'
With the emergence of authentic male characters and strong female figures in recent Indian films becoming a major talking point of late, Kumud notes, 'It is a good thing that
Indian cinema
is evolving. We are seeing more authentic roles, and I hope that continues. But cinema is entertainment first. It's not here to change the world. When it subtly nudges people to think differently, that's beautiful. But we shouldn't expect cinema to carry the weight of social transformation.'
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