'Mythological Plays Are A Safe Bet', Says Theatre Artist Makrand Deshpande; Talks About OTT 'Vulgarity' & Ranveer Allahbadia Controversy

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Noted theatre, film, and TV actor Makrand Deshpande has said that nowadays, staging plays on Ram, Krishna, and other mythological figures and epics is a safe bet and a new trend. It draws audiences. People, especially in Mumbai, who are unwilling to spend Rs 500 to watch other plays readily buy tickets worth Rs 25,000 for the mythological plays, he adds.

Deshpande was in the city to perform in a play, ‘Sir Sir Sarla,’ written and directed by him at the Indiemoons Arts Festival at the Hansdhwani auditorium of Ravindra Convention Centre on Wednesday. He told media persons that we should give a chance to new talents.

What is the play about?

‘Sir Sir Sarla' is about the love of two university students for their teacher, philosopher, and guide, Professor Palekar. Makrand Deshpande, who has written and directed the play, essays the role of the professor. While Sarla (Aahana Kumra) loves the professor in an ardent, romantic manner, the boy Phanidhar (Sanjay Dadhich) is the underdog who shares a love-hate relationship with the professor.

Markande on the Ranveer Allahbadia controversy

About the Ranveer Allahbadia controversy, the actor said that humour has always been derogatory. “Kisi ke bare mein bura kahkar hasa diya …,’ he said, adding that “we should know about the person on whom we do humour. But nowadays people don’t have time for that.” 

The actor further said, “We are only taking vulgarity from OTT platforms. Here, we get international exposure and freedom, which is about nudity and jokes on personalities, but we can't opt for it immediately as our Indian culture is different from the Western one.”