Mahesh Dattani,theatre director,on why his plays are about womenThe Gujarati play Kumarni Agashi,which I first saw when I was 12,had a big impact on me. It was about an upper middle-class woman in conflict with the society. More than the play itself,it was the performance of well-known television and theatre personality Sarita Joshi as the protagonist that I admired. Even after 35 years,I still remember every action and emotion of Joshi in that play. In fact,so impressed was I,that I decided to pursue theatre. I joined Bangalore Little Theatre Group when I was 17 years old. Twenty years ago,Kumarni Agashi was shown again and I saw the play in Mumbai then. It was as amazing as it was earlier. I went backstage to meet Joshi but I was in such awe of her that I couldnt muster the courage to say anything. Till date,she doesnt know what impact she has had on me. That play has influenced my way of directing and acting. Like Kumarni Agashi,my plays are also women-oriented.
