Unlike TV & films, theatre is your long-time partner: Preeti

For actor-writer Preeti Mamgain, who essayed some memorable roles on TV shows like Banegi Apni Baat, Saans, Kanyadaan, Waaris and Haadsaa before acting took a back seat, there couldn’t have been a better time to make a comeback. She has all the time to explore new media, newer opportunities, and as both TV and cinema are going through an exciting phase, artistes are getting performance-oriented roles, she says.
Preeti, who was recently in the capital with theatre heavyweight Saurabh Shukla and actor Sadiya Siddiqui to present their play, 2 To Tango, 3 To Jive, to Delhi’s theatre lovers, spoke to us on a variety of subjects. Excerpts from the chat:
I have been juggling acting and writing I am originally from Delhi. I grew up in Munirka, did a lot of theatre in school and college. My dad was a forest officer and my mother a Hindi teacher. So, I was always inclined towards creative things and was very fond of writing. Although I am a fine arts graduate, I never really pursued it. I was passionate about writing and loved to act, and therefore, I moved to England, did anchoring, worked with a production house there. When I moved to Mumbai, around 20 years back, I wasn’t sure which way to go – acting or writing? Thankfully, both worked out fine for me. So, I became an actor who could write scripts.
My son needed me I am a single mother. There was a time when my son was too young to manage on his own and he needed me. Till I could manage acting, writing and taking care of him, I did, but when I couldn’t, I decided to take up more writing work as that allowed me to stay at home and work. While acting took a back seat, around 10 years back, I decided to do theatre. Saurabh, who is from the National School of Drama, and I were actively involved in theatre 20 years ago in Delhi. We were part of a professional group, Saakshi. I decided to give him a call and told him I wanted to do theatre. And that’s how professional theatre happened.
I’m doing small, but meaningful roles in films Now that my son is 22, I can give time to acting. And I am slowly coming back to it. I did Barfi! two years back (she played Priyanka Chopra’s mother) and I am doing Nikhil Advani’s Hero, where I play Athiya Shetty’s mother. I just finished shooting for Zoya Akhtar’s Dil Dhadakne Do. The interesting part about this project is that although it has an ensemble cast of 20 actors, everyone has a unique little role to play. You know, when I saw Lagaan, I was like, ‘Haye Ram, 11 amazing roles, and all for men! Why don’t we have such roles for women?’ But finally, it’s happening. I might be writing for a film, but it’s too early to talk about it right now. I also want to direct someday. I have assisted directors on documentaries and special projects. You know, when you are writing a script, you are half-directing it in your head. So, I am sure that it will all happen organically. But I haven’t set a deadline or a five-year plan for myself, but it will happen, for sure. Also, I want to write a book. But that’s my retirement plan, when I can just sit, write and take it easy. Right now, I have too much energy to sit still and focus on my book.
TV is taxing, but it has many positives I am a little apprehensive about TV at the moment because daily soaps take up so much time that I will end up with little or no time to write. So, I haven’t really taken on anything, but if something very really good comes my way, I will give it a shot. But even then I won’t be able to give it 30 days in a month. But I must admit here that TV offers you variety. Moreover, there is a lot that an actor can do on TV now. Like cinema, TV, too, is evolving. You get to do all sorts of roles, whereas in films, you get categorised. You are either the mother or the sister. Now, there are challenging roles being written for women on TV as well.
I would like to continue doing theatre Bollywood films require you to go out, meet people and make contacts. I haven’t really done that in my career. Whichever films I did, happened by chance. While Nikhil saw one of my plays and cast me for Hero, Zoya had auditioned me for a role a few years back. At that time, it didn’t happen, but she remembered me and called me for this project. But I want to continue doing theatre – it’s an acting workshop and you always stay in touch with the art – and writing. Unlike TV and films, theatre is your long-time partner. There is a lot to learn. That is what makes it more exciting.
Writing dialogues for Ashutosh Gowariker’s show I have written the dialogues for an upcoming show which filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker is helming along with two other directors. I
enjoyed working with Ashutosh. He is a wonderful guy. He is so giving – he gives you space, listens to you and makes you feel important. Although I have written the dialogues, I felt that I was doing something to enhance what’s already there. He gives you that kind of freedom.