Theatre artiste Harika Vedula preferred to create what she wants rather than wait for it to happen. Instead of searching for theatrical events to attend, she took the decision to host them. To do so, she chose to invite theatrical productions from across the country to stage plays in Hyderabad.
She elaborates, “I decided to bring plays by theatre groups that hardly get the attention – in spite of being brilliant – instead of offering the stage to star-studded plays that are already in the limelight Once this thought came to mind, I couldn’t wait to execute it, even if it meant dipping into my pocket.”
In April this year, Harika first brought in The Gentleman’s Club a play on drag kings that takes the audience into the underground club scene in Bombay (now Mumbai). Here, protagonist Rocky a.k.a Shamsher pays tribute to veteran film star Shammi Kapoor. Harika says, “I brought this play to Hyderabad because we are only beginning to understand the complexities of gender equality. Over the years, this play has evolved and now there is something for the audience to learn and understand.”
