SAN JOSE, CA: On September 19, 2010, SB Entertainment presented one of Bollywood’s best actors and top comedians, Paresh Rawal, in his hilarious new Hindi play, “Krishan vs. Kanhaiya” in a jam-packed, house full San Jose Center for the Performing Arts.
What an actor’s actor Paresh is, with amazing concentration, eye contact, comic timing, expressions, and mindful humor. Dressed casually in a blue denim jacket, a tiny bit of stage make-up, Paresh Rawal was a delight to meet at a press meet at the historic St. Claire’s Hotel right before he was set to perform.
About theater, a very direct and articulate Paresh said, “Theater feeds my creative needs. It is an actor’s medium. I get an immediate high and an immediate response from the audience. I can do things on stage that I cannot in films. In films, my job as an actor is over, once the director says cut. In theater, I get to add onto my performance as the play continues.”
He added, “I’m more comfortable with doing something challenging. If you give me something easy to do, I can do it, but I find it very boring. As an actor, I should take something from the role also.” A veteran actor who admires Naseeruddin Shah, Paresh was very down to earth, warm, and held my eye in a steady gaze while we talked about his career and his new play.
Well, about the play, he said, “All I’m going to say is that it’s a hard hitting thought provoking comedy.” The play had a simple set and a superb performance by Paresh and the entire cast. What he does in films with the option of retakes, he did non-stop for the stage, rarely going off stage during the entire duration of the play.
“The play was amazing and Paresh Rawal was awesome,” said Amitabh Bhargava. While Ajay Jain thought it was “one of the best shows in the Bay Area ever.” Paresh Rawal has been in the Bollywood big screen and stage since 1980s, with hundreds of hit movies and scores of awards under his belt.
Some of his well known movies are Hera Pheri, Phir Hera Pheri, Golmaal, Chup Chup Ke, Bhool Bhulaiya, Paa, 36 China Town, Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge among others. “Krishan Vs Kanhaiya” is directed by Umesh Shukla.
Along with Paresh, actors include Dharmender Gohil, Sirdhar Vatsar, Vaibhav Biniwala, Khusboo Brahmbhatt, Chirag Vora, Ankit and others. This Hindi play is based on the super-hit Gujarati comedy “Kanji Virrudh Kanji” currently rocking the Mumbai theatres.
This was the second event Shawn Bhattacharya has brought to the Bay Area. The event was supported by the South Asian Behavioral Health (SABH) Foundation chaired by Dr. Harmesh Kumar. After a fantastic event earlier this year with the Asha Bhosle and Sudhesh Bhosle concert, this was a superb play and exceptionally well-organized.
Kavita Arora
India Post News Service
Kavita Arora is Anchor & Co Producer Sitaare TV
