Theatre artist Jayesh Thakkar on why his friends call him a selfish actor Monday to Friday: Work at a software company in Pune to earn the bread and butter. Friday night to Sunday night: Back to 'life' in Mumbai. A life of rehearsals,characters,scripts,sets and laughs. Jayesh Thakkar's recent performance in the city in the play 'Get Rid of My Wife' left no room for doubt that theatre is his passion. He played 'Manav' - a speech-impaired character. His comic timing,his energy on stage and his expressions brought in applause and even a proposal for a play production in the city. "Let's see how that goes because I've lived in Pune for over nine years and this is only my third show here. I know Pune yearns for good plays,but there's a gap between the demand and supply. Theatre here needs good sponsors," he thinks aloud. Thakkar's relationship with theatre started when he was in school. Based in Mumbai at that time,he did a commercial Gujarati children's play when he was in Std V. He followed his heart and continued participating in plays through college. Comedy is his forte,but he has done serious plays too . He won the best newcomer award at a state level inter-college competition for a serious Gujarati play,Kautilya. Besides acting,he has also directed and produced interesting plays. I do,I don't,starring Tanaaz Currim,Dinyar Contractor,Delnaz Irani and Paritosh Painter,was his last directorial venture. "That was before I moved to Pune. Being director calls for a lot of responsibility. You have to get involved with everything. As an actor,I have the liberty to go to Mumbai and rehearse only for three days over the weekend," he says. Thakkar's association with theatre artiste Paritosh Painter is over 15 years old. They trained under stalwart Dinyar Contractor. "He is the king of comedy but both Paritosh and I didn't want to limit ourselves to adult comedy. That's how we launched plays that families can come and watch," he says. Some of their noted works include Paying Guest; I Do,I Don't; Whose Wife Is It Anyway; and See No Evil,Hear No Evil,Speak No Evil. Three months back,they launched their new play - I Am The Best,also starring Pooja Ghai. "It's based on a reality show wherein two magicians are invited to stay in the same house. Shreyas Talpade plays the host - we've recorded his part. In the play,we've performed some extraordinary magic," Thakkar describes. He's also the technical director and has managed the lights,set,music,gimmicks. Spontaneity is an extension of his personality as is humour . Off-stage,he's relatively calmer,he admits. "My friends call me a selfish actor and a live-wire on stage. I don't know what happens to me once I'm in character. I just throw energy on stage," he says with a smile.
