A Chit Chat with Dharmaj Joshi on Theatre, Dreams, and Embracing Whimsy

In a delightful tete-a-tete with Dharmaj Joshi, the world of conscious creativity and theatrical reminiscences unfolds. Transported back to his college days, Dharmaj recalls a whimsical stint as an ad film director in a one-act play that marked a pivotal moment.

Here are excerpts of the interview:

“Let’s kick off this interview with a fun question,

Q. If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?

A. Being 100% conscious, fully aware about everything, everywhere, all at once.

“As an actor, you have played various roles in your career from your debut in Por Bazar to Hun Swara Ae Banne Pan Khara and more.

Q. Is there a particular character that you have portrayed which you feel has had the most significant impact on you personally?

A. I remember being casted as a ridiculously whimsical adfilm director in a college play once. We were staging a play for IPTA and I was in Mithibai then. It was the first time I was casted in a One-Act play to play a character who drove a scene, with dialogues and A SCENE is all I’d gotten!
I played an Ad Film Director who couldn’t get a single Good Take- it was a  laughter riot for everyone!

It was significant for me because I had gotten a chance to showcase myself and I think I was received quite well. Although it was a ridiculous character, I took my role seriously. I opened up in front of people in ways I hadn’t imagined before. Thanks to those who made it possible.

Q. If you were to organize a Drama/Play marathon with your friends, what genre or theme would you choose, and which three Drama would be on the top of your list?

A. There’s a Play in Marathi, it’s a Trilogy. The Wada Trilogy by Mahesh Elkunchwar. He scripted the play based on his own Novel Trilogy (“Wada Chirebandi”, “Magna Talakathi”, “Yugant”) which was directed by Chandrakant Kulkarni. Sometimes they show all three plays in one day, and that will be one heck of a day cause I have seen the last two plays but I always miss Wada…

Drama recommendations:

• Saumya Joshi’s ‘Welcome जिंदगी’
• Chandrakant Kulkarni’s ‘चारचौघी’
• Faezeh Jalali’s 07/07/07
• Sunil Shanbag’s ‘Stories in a Song’

Q. What are some of your favourite movies?

“Dharmaj has an eclectic taste in movies, ranging from the heartfelt storytelling of ‘Cinema Paradiso’ to the timeless humor of Charlie Chaplin.

• Charlie Chaplin’s ‘The Great Dictator’
• Giuseppe Tornatore’s ‘Cinema Paradiso’
• Michael Stearns’ ‘Baraka’

Q. Any directors on your Wishlist?

A. I want to work with a lot of directors. I really fancy working with Raj & DK someday. I day dream about working with director’s like Priyadarshan, Vishal Bhardwaj, Rajkumar Hirani but these are just a few to name. There are a lot of good directors out there.

Q. One message for your fans who are aspiring to pursue a career in acting and drama?

A.  I believe I am yet to have a big breakthrough in life. However, I have started believing that one must have a strong urge to tell stories to want to perform or act! Chase good stories to tell.