Anup Soni: I began my journey at Prithvi Theatre

Amidst the palpable excitement at Prithvi Theatre Festival’s opening night earlier this month, actor Anup Soni who has been a part of television, films and OTT for many years, recalled his earliest days in theatre. In a candid conversation with us he said, “I began my journey on the hallowed stage of Prithvi Theatre. There are so many memories here.”

With a hint of nostalgia, he recounted his very first stage performance in a play called Shyam Rang . “I can still picture those moments. Shyam Rang had a remarkable cast, including Sachin Khedekar, Swaroop Sampath, Ragini Ben, Kunal Kemmu, Pooja Rawal and me. It was directed by my batchmate Nikhilesh Sharma, the set was designed by Salim Saab and it was written by Javed Siddiqui Saab.”

This unique collaboration was rich with a team he looked up to. Anup went on to add, “That was my first time performing at the iconic Prithvi theatre, and honestly, it felt great.” After that debut, Prithvi Theatre became a second home to him. “Thank God,” he laughs, “we got plenty of opportunities to perform here after that.”

Each return to Prithvi, he says, feels great. Two dates, especially, are dear to him. “There are two occasions, we are always here, the first is February 28, the annual Prithvi Theatre Memorial Concert and then in November during the Prithvi Theatre Festival. This place is extremely close to heart."