Actor Amol Parashar has been creating headlines for Besharam Aadmi, a 75-minute solo stage performance, which tells the story of an awkward man struggling with his wife’s lingerie in front of his parents. The comedy-drama explores modern relationships, gender roles and progressive masculinity and has just staged a show in London. Besharam Aadmi will arrive in Calcutta on May 16 at Kolkata Centre for Creativity (KCC). A t2 chat with the Tripling and Sardar Udham actor on his latest outing with a difference.
What was the experience like of performing Besharam Aadmi in front of an audience in London?
The profile wasn’t different from what it is in India because the show is for the Hindi-speaking audience. There is a very large South Asian population in the UK, and in fact, all over the world. So, places like Dubai and Australia are definitely on the map for Besharam Aadmi, and maybe even a repeat in London.
This was our first show outside India. I wanted to do a smaller experiment first and see the response. We had a big turnout. When you are living away from home and in a different culture, I think it is refreshing to watch something in your own language and that which speaks to you.
It is an edgy show, it is an attempt to be progressive. They enjoyed it, they laughed, but I was expecting a little less shyness from the London audience. But it was overall a successful show. Live entertainment in today’s times has mostly been reduced to stand-up (comedy). It is not a bad thing, but that is only one format of live entertainment. In India, we now have an alternative culture of live poetry and storytelling. As far as Besharam Aadmi is concerned, I am okay with experimenting in small measure. We are highly encouraged by the response, but will also incorporate the feedback we got when we go back overseas.
There have been many who loved the show and have told us so. Yet, there can also be someone who will say: “This is not the best thing I have seen in my life.” That is how I like to take my feedback, and then apply a certain kind of personal instinct. I like aligning with people who can tell me what is working and what is not... it is more useful than listening to 100 people on the Internet.
Have you always been this self-aware and critical of your work?
I wouldn’t say critical... I would perhaps use the word ‘objective’. Sometimes, hard feedback and people not agreeing with you is painful. But that is the only way anything can change. Otherwise, you will be the same person for the rest of your life.
I keep surprising myself and other people as well and that takes a bit of work, a bit of tinkering and a bit of being able to take feedback. As an actor, there is a part of me which is always trying to be better than the last time — whether it is through reading, listening, talking to other actors, discussing how people approach different things or making changes in my process and in my lifestyle. I enjoy the chance of growth, the practice that it comes with. I have been told by people close to me that I can be harsh on myself. But if I won’t be, who else will? That is because after attaining a certain level of success and popularity, it is very difficult to find people who are harsh with you, and I don’t mean harsh in a bad or rude way. I always appreciate feedback when the intent is right. I believe that all that creative people have is taste and instinct. Not knowing what is good and what is bad is a fear that I have.
What was your first reaction when the concept of Besharam Aadmi was presented to you?
I was amused and excited that this was unconventional and new and yet still real. I liked the idea of a man feeling awkward and ashamed in front of his parents just because he is handling his wife’s lingerie. It kind of clicked in my head. It was my instinct that there is something in here as an idea and we can make something fun and beautiful out of it. This is exactly the kind of stuff I am looking for — that it should be fun, but you just can’t do anything for the sake of fun, there has to be some meaning to it. There has to be a sense of my own values and world-view reflecting in the stories that I am telling.
These elements were already present in the show that Vijay (Ashok Sharma, director) had written. There was, of course, some work we did together on this thread, on certain passages and on making it funnier and changing the language a little bit to fit my personality.
The man I play is fictional, he is made up but he is real and also me in many ways. This character is telling a story on stage, he is taking the audience on a journey and the viewer is willing to have a suspension of disbelief as long as it is fun.
I started my career in theatre, but I had never done a one-man show before this. There is a certain kind of responsibility and confidence that needs to come with a show like this. Once you go up on stage, it is you and only you for 75 minutes, and that emotional experience is different.
I am also involved in the whole process, including things like putting up shows, looking at where and when to perform, how are we selling the tickets, how do we design the marketing material.... The economics of this medium are not even in the same orbit as films or TV shows and so we are trying to be as efficient as possible, but still maintain a certain kind of quality. So far, we have been able to pull it off, and I have also enjoyed the grind which has come with it. It has pushed me emotionally, mentally and physically.
What is the way forward for you as an actor?
I didn’t grow up wanting to be an actor. I went to IIT and studied engineering. Somewhere along the way, I fell in love with acting, playing characters and being able to create a different reality. I quit my job to do theatre. So, in that origin story of me becoming an actor, there is already a cord that I have cut with the idea that my priority is to have crores in my account. I would rather do a project that I will really enjoy over one that I know I won’t, but will give me money. Unless I really have to pay my rent! I am now in that position where I don’t have to think about that every month, and I am thankful for that.
I want to do things that I enjoy and eventually look back on life and say that I did the things I wanted to do. I would rather surround myself with things that are challenging and exciting. Sometimes, the trade-off is probably money or fame. I may have pushed myself to do certain things in the past when I was starting out, but now that compulsion is less. I have been shooting non-stop for the last four months. I really value my time and creative energy, and as much as possible, I want to use them for things that excite me.