Theatre in India yet to go miles

New Delhi, Dec 6 (UNI) At a time when a fear is prevalent among trade pundits and critics alike that theatre is dying its natural death, yesteryear cinestar Shashi Kapoor firmly believes that this medium is gradually emerging as a powerful one, finding acceptance among select sections of society though yet to cover miles before it can establish its ''financial feasibility''.

In an interview to UNI, the veteran actor, who was here to participate in Prithvi Theatre Festival during the weekend, said, ''Theatre is still not financially feasible due to which even the artistes cannot dedicate their full potential towards the medium and turn to alternative means like TV and films to survive.'' Also, theatre finds only a niche audience and is yet to get the common man flocking to a performance, as was the case with cinema, he said.

Mr Kapoor said people come to watch theatre with a ''purpose'', which is not only to just entertain themselves in many cases. A play is more hard-hitting as it is interactive and leaves a lasting impression on the audience.

Soaking in Delhi's beautiful weather at this time of the year and mingling with people, he seemed to enjoy the way Delhiites accepted the theatre festival. ''I am happy with the response we have received here,'' he beamed.

Starting his career as an actor at a tender age of six with original Prithvi Theatre company run by his father, the late Prithviraj Kapoor, the ever smiling actor left an indelible impression on celluloid with his distinctive performances through scores of flicks in the '60s, '70s and '80s, including some of the remarkable western enterprises.

He fondly remembered his golden old days, his association with the original Prithvi Theatre and the special bond he shared with his father. ''In 1944, my father invested all his earnings to establish Prithvi Theatre and I started working with him since I was six. He ran it for 16 years on the trot.'' ''We performed across India, from cities to small towns in remote areas of the country on pressing topics of the day. It was tough as finances were a problem. Theatre company used to travel in third-class rail compartments along with my father.'' Asked about his childhood memories, he said ''I was bad at studies and could not even pass my metric exams. I thought I was good for nothing. Today, when I look back I feel very content.'' On his association with English theatre, he told UNI that at the age of 18 he joined Shakespearean repertory at Calcutta.

''Language was a big problem as their English was entirely different form our English. I learnt all the nuances so that I could perform with them.'' Remembering his rendezvous with Jennifer Kendall at Shakespeare, he said it was love at first sight and after a brief courtship, they got married.

Was carrying the legacy late Prithviraj Kapoor had left a burden or responsibility, Mr Kapoor said, ''It was my responsibility to carry forward my father's legacy, we built Prithvi Theatre in Mumbai in 1978 to fulfil his dream. Now my daughter Sanjana is carrying it forward.'' Ruling out his own plans for staging a comeback on the silver screen, he said, ''With changing times our cinema too has changed.

It is a mixed bag of good, bad and ugly. Now people are not afraid of experimenting and that is why new trends are developing.'' ''I watched 'No Entry' and I liked it.'' Ask him who is his favourite actress and quickly comes the reply-Priety Zinta, ''I like her a lot, she is full of life,'' says Mr Kapoor with a broad grin.

On his associations apart from the world of performing arts, Mr Kapoor said he was doing a lot of philanthropic work with some social organisations working for cancer patients. ''They need our love and care,'' he added.

Age hasn't mellowed his charm and fans still flock around him.

Regarding his future plans for Prithvi Theatre, he said quietly in his father's style, ''The show must go on and the show will go on...''