We have no real awards for theatre: Lillete Dubey

Actress Lillete Dubey was in Hyderabad on August 1 for ‘Celebrating Theatre’, a tete-a-tete with Mohammad Ali Baig presented by the Qadir Ali Baig Foundation that marked its 10th anniversary. Lillete Dubey who transcended theatre, TV and cinema during her ongoing career shared information and inspiration on performing arts, her experiences and her journey.

Hailing from an ordinary family, which was mostly academically inclined, Dubey was the first in her family to announce an interest in theatre. “While I was studying Literature, my interest in theatre began and I joined Barry John’s Acting Studio.” This experience ignited a passion in her for theatre. Dubey has two Masters: one in Mass Communications and another in English Literature.

Recollecting old memories, she says, “When I told my dad of my desire to become an actor, he was horrified and told me it was out of the question.” “To be frank, until the age of 40, performing arts did not feel fully meaningful to me. I only realised as I entered my 40s that performing arts gives meaning to my life.”

In a world where theatre is not valued enough, acting in stage plays doesn’t seem to suffice as theatre as an art often goes unnoticed. “In a country that is a few days away from being 69 years old, we have no real awards for theatre. As a theatre personality, you have to complement your career with something else. You cannot survive doing just theatre, and that’s how TV shows happen for most of us,” she says. Speaking of TV shows, how does she feel about the Indian serials?

“I find Indian TV substandard, but you do get paid well for it. You have to make that call between money and passion if theatre is something that burns in you,” she explains. Commenting on the differences between theatre and films, she laughs saying, “Films are quite a change compared to theatre. If it is a tight close up shot, you could be giving an emotional dialogue to the cameraman, imagining his ear to be your co-actor’s face!”

However, she says that the most difficult thing about theatre is the vulnerability when one makes mistakes during the play, since there are no retakes. Having worked alongside many famous Hollywood actors like Richard Gere and Judi Dench in ‘The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’, the actress observes the varied working styles between the Indian industry and the West.

“Our whole style of working is quite different. Western actors are punctual and highly professional, yet very down-to-earth. Also, they always know their lines by-heart,” she said. Lillete Dubey has recently also worked on a TV show, ‘Indian Summers,’ which is a British drama, set in 1932. Her company ‘Primetime Theatre Company’ will be completing 25 years in 2016. Some of their plays include ‘Dance Like a Man’ and ‘30 Days in September’.

Commenting on both her daughters, Ira and Neha Dubey, who entered acting she says, “Acting is not just in their blood. More than that, children pick it up due to the exposure they have right from early years. It’s like osmosis.”

By:Elita Enoch