In Conversation with Mahesh Dattani

Mahesh Dattani is getting back to writing stage plays. Here he talks of how his work has helped him evolve

Q What are you working on now?

A I am writing a stage play after a long time. My friend Lillete Dubey has expressed an interest in directing it.

Q What do you hope to achieve with it?

A Stage has been my passion. And play writing is second nature. I do know I am looking forward to writing it. I hope it will turn out to be something people will like.

Q Is it different from your past work?

A It's been a while since I wrote a stage play and I want to explore the form. Most of my plays have a non-linear structure going back and forth in time and space. It will be good to explore surreal dimensions.

Q What were your last few projects?

A In Shanghai, I collaborated with Border Crossings, an English theatre group. It was an international project with actors from England, Sweden, China and India. I also directed a stage adaptation of Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist for Ashvin Gidwani Productions.

Q Have you evolved through your work?

A I have evolved through my work and my work has evolved through me. The more of life I experience, the richer it makes me feel artistically. The more prolific I get at my work, the better I feel as a human being.