Latest news with #SaanpSeedhi
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Best stories come from a place of risk: Sumeet Vyas
Despite being one of the earliest poster boys of OTT and having transitioned to Bollywood, Sumeet Vyas says he always finds his way back to where it all began: theatre . The actor-director, who was in Bengaluru for his play Saanp Seedhi, shares his love for acting, his creative process, and the OTT boom. Excerpts: 'THEATRE IS WHERE YOU GET TO DIVE DEEP, AS AN ACTOR' Sumeet started theatre in the early 2000s and has remained actively involved. 'Theatre is the only space that truly belongs to an actor. It is where you get to indulge in your craft. If you like acting as a profession, then the stage is where you return, because that's where you get to dive deep,' he says. 'CRAFT LASTS, NOT FAME' Sumeet believes in hard work rather than viral fame. He explains, 'I don't take labels like 'web hero' or 'Bollywood actor' too seriously. They're fleeting. One year you're in the spotlight, the next you're not. Fame comes and goes. What truly lasts is one's craft and the commitment towards it.' 'GENRE DOESN'T MATTER, THE STORY DOES' From comedy to drama to action, Sumeet has worked across all formats. He tells us, 'Genre is very incidental to me. If I find the story compelling and I feel the urge to be a part of telling that story, then I say yes in a heartbeat.' 'I ALWAYS KNEW I WANTED TO DIRECT' Sumeet recently directed an OTT series called Raat Jawaan Hai , which he considers to be a significant step in his career. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Before this, Sumeet had also been directing plays. For him, the urge to direct was natural. 'I started writing for films, and every time I wrote something, I had a certain vision. I always felt the need to direct because that vision never left me,' he says. 'IN OTT, EVERYONE WANTS THE SAME FORMULA OF A STORY' Amidst the overwhelming number of OTT shows, Sumeet believes that to stand out, one needs to take a leap of faith. 'Today, everyone is looking for a formula to replicate, to gain success. Shows that truly made an impact were never following a formula. They succeeded because they broke the mould instead of fitting into one. The best stories come from a place of risk, from a willingness to leap into the unknown,' he says.
Time of India
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
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. Operation Sindoor PM Modi meets NSA, chiefs of armed forces amid spike in tensions with Pak India's air defence systems shoot down Pak drones in J&K, Punjab & Rajasthan Several airports in India to be closed till May 15 - check list 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. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like AI guru Andrew Ng recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around in 2025 Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo 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.'
The Hindu
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
‘Saanp Seedhi' play preview: Sumeet Vyas and Kumud Mishra star in this remake of ‘Sleuth'
Aadyam Theatre's latest offering, Saanp Seedhi, promises Bengaluru audiences an edge-of-the-seat experience. Adapted from Anthony Shaffer's Tony Award-winning psychological thriller Sleuth, the Hindi play is directed by Shubhrajyoti Barat and stars Kumud Mishra and Sumeet Vyas. After a successful run in Delhi, it is set to play at Ranga Shankara on May 9 and 10. At its heart, Saanp Seedhi is a lethal game of manipulation and deception between two men: a flamboyant film producer, Anil Wadhwa (played by Kumud), and his wife's lover, Mayank Tiwari (Sumeet). Set against the backdrop of Anil's sprawling, slightly surreal home in Goa, what starts as a seemingly civil confrontation soon spirals into a dangerous psychological battle where nothing is quite what it seems. For director Shubhrajyoti, Sleuth was a play that had lived rent-free in his mind for years. 'As a director or anyone involved in theatre, there are always plays you keep returning to,' he says. 'When Aadyam gave me the platform, it felt like the perfect time to bring it to life, especially with actors like Kumud and Sumeet on board.' But Shubhrajyoti was clear from the start that he did not want a mere translation; he wanted an adaptation that felt rooted in Indian soil. Collaborating with playwright Akarsh Khurana, the team reimagined Shaffer's aristocratic British world into something more recognisably Indian. 'Instead of the original's mystery novelist, Anil is now a B-grade film producer who has climbed up the ladder. This adds complexity to his character, a self-made man whose ego and insecurities play out in fascinating ways,' he explains. Visually, too, Saanp Seedhi tries to experiment. The set, Shubhrajyoti says, is designed with a backdrop of the sky and intentionally unfinished walls and ceiling, creating a liminal space that mirrors the characters' unraveling psyches. 'It's like the house could meet infinity or fall apart at any moment,' he says. 'We also use a puppet as a silent observer, adding an extra layer of tension.' For Sumeet, stepping into the shoes of Mayank Tiwari was a long-awaited moment. 'I had read Sleuth years ago and was supposed to perform it back then, but it didn't happen,' he says. 'So, when this opportunity came along, I felt both excited and relieved.' His character, Mayank, is more than just the 'other man.' 'He appears earnest and straightforward, but there's another side to him — a deep-seated reaction to bullying that makes him unpredictable. He's not just a victim; he takes action, and that makes him interesting to play.' Despite a busy career across web series and film, Sumeet says returning to theatre was both thrilling and nerve-racking. 'I haven't opened a new play in almost a decade, so I was really excited to get back to rehearsals, make mistakes, and rediscover that process. It's the good kind of nervousness,' he admits. Both Sumeet and Shubhrajyoti highlight the strong bond between the cast, especially the dynamic between Sumeet and Kumud. Having worked together before, their friendship adds a layer of trust and freedom on stage. Shubhrajyoti, who has known both actors personally for years, says directing close friends brought its own set of challenges. 'It can be awkward shifting from friend to director, but with actors of this calibre, you don't have to micromanage. It's more about guiding the characters' arcs while trusting their instincts,' he says. Shubhrajyoti feels the thriller is an underexplored genre on the Indian stage made it especially appealing. 'Thrillers are rarely done in theatre, and that scarcity was part of the attraction. A well-written script like this almost directs itself. You just need to represent it honestly, and it does the rest,' he says. The 90-minute Hindi play is for ages 15 and above. Catch it on May 9 and 10 at 7.30pm at Ranga Shankara. Tickets on BookMyShow.
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Art has the profound ability to make us confront ourselves: Director Shubhrajyoti
There is a real-time energy between the actors and the audience in theatre. That connection is impossible to replicate in movies or OTT Shubhrajyoti Barat Just watching a play is not enough; it's important for everyone to feel emotionally linked to the performance,' says director Shubhrajyoti Barat , who is bringing Saanp Seedhi , an adaptation of Anthony Shaffer's celebrated psychological thriller Sleuth , to Bengaluru. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In a chat with Bangalore Times , he delves into the unique ability of art to confront audiences, how theatre acting enriched his directing skills, and more. Excerpts: 'Audiences resonating with the play is rewarding for the director' Speaking about art's capacity for introspection and connection, the director explains, 'Art has a unique ability to confront us, to make us reflect on our moral compass, our vices, and our inner selves. The aim of any production is to allow people to identify with the characters' struggles and find something that resonates with their own lives. If they do, I think, as a director, I've achieved something meaningful.' 'Acting shaped my approach to directing' Having established himself as an actor in film and OTT projects like Article 15, Saina, Mirzapur , and Tribhuvan Mishra CA Topper , Shubhrajyoti later turned his attention to theatre direction . He shares, 'Acting has shaped my approach to directing. I know what it's like to stand in front of a crowd, and I want to make sure every actor on stage feels empowered and seen. My acting experience in theatre has been invaluable. When you're acting, you're also aware of the design, the lights, and the set; you're never just an actor. You understand the entire process, which gives depth to your work. Acting in theatre has made me a more well-rounded director.' 'Bengaluru is full of talented theatre artistes' Speaking about Bengaluru's vibrant theatre scene, Shubhrajyoti, who has witnessed its evolution, says, 'Bengaluru is a melting pot of talented young theatre artistes. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Bright minds from academic fields, engineers, architects and researchers are venturing into theatre, leaving secure jobs. They're not here to impress but to express. The audiences, too, have evolved, enjoying plays in every language.'
