2024-09-20 17:10:18
Small screen actress Priyamvada Kant has appeared in ‘Naagin 5’, ‘Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai’, ‘Woh To Hai Albela’. She is also very active in theatre shows. These days she is in the news for her teleplay Chaash Karti Parchaiyaan. Here is a special conversation with her:You have worked with Ila Arun in a teleplay. How was your experience?
I am her fan. I have listened to her songs since childhood. I once told her that in my childhood, whenever her song used to come, I used to run to her wearing a Ghaghra. Her song ‘Dilli Sheher Ma Maaro Ghaghra Jo Ghumyo’ became very famous. So I used to dance on that song. She is as good an actor as she is an amazing person. She has so much experience and so many stories that you can learn a lot from her. So the experience of sharing the stage with her for the first time was quite fun.
You both belong to two different generations, so apart from work what did you talk about the most?
I have noticed one thing that you can never notice a generation gap among actors. They always keep changing with the times. They follow every trend. Ila Maam is more active on Instagram than me. So we often talk about Instagram and the latest trends. She used to make me post a lot of Instagram during rehearsals. Many times she used to comment on my holiday posts that what a dress you are wearing. You look good in it. So there was a very festive atmosphere.
When technology changes, we feel we have lost something. Do you think teleplays, which are bringing theatre shows to TV digitally, will be able to retain the essence and beauty of theatre shows?
You have said a very good thing. Many times it seems that you will not get the fragrance of natural flowers on plastic flowers. But when you see that there is a lion in Ranthambore, you will feel like going there and seeing the lion. If you have never seen the photo and video of that place, then how will you think about this? Similarly, if people watch the play as a teleplay online on TV, then they will also get curious to go to the theatre and watch the live play. This will only increase the audience of the theatre. Those who cannot go can enjoy the play on TV.
You have spent a lot of time in Delhi too. So share some memories related to Delhi with us?
I was born in Kolkata but my upbringing and education was in Delhi. I studied in Modern School on Barakhamba Road. After that I learned Odissi and music in Gandharva Mahavidyalaya. After this I went to Lady Shriram College. My parents are artists. So my house in Delhi is a studio for me. Art, music, culture, everything was going on there. So the memories of Delhi are filled with a lot of art and artifacts. Delhi’s food is unmatched.
We do talk about the problems faced by women since ancient times, but with the changing times, new problems are also being born. So, how much do you think there is a need to talk about the problems of women in modern times along with the problems of the old times?
If we talk about modern cities, even today the number of modern women is very less. The ratio of women like me who are working outside is very less. Therefore, those who are actually suffering, who do not have a means to complain or do not have access to it, their problems should be talked about more. Because today I can raise my voice myself, but those who need help and are not able to raise their voice, their issues should be talked about more.
Your teleplay Chasing Shadows has been released recently. Tell us about this teleplay.
Chahse Karti Parchaiyaan is a play written by Ila Arun ma’am and directed by KK Raina sir. We have done many successful housefull shows of this play so far. Now Zee theatre has shot this as a teleplay. This is a very interesting concept. Today’s generation is not able to go to the theatre to watch plays, so how will many people be able to watch the play at one time, so now the play has also gone digital. It has been shot in such a way that the experience you get in the theatre, you get the same experience watching the play on TV at home. We have recorded it from beginning to end in one go, just like theatre. This play is based on old-age thoughts. It shows how women have been told that they have to do things in this way, serve their husbands in this way, live in this way. My character in this is of Reena, who is a modern-day girl. She is practical and does not indulge in old-fashioned things. Whereas the character of Ila Arun Ma’am is of such a woman who is stuck in customs and traditions and all that.