How special is Khatijabai of Karmali Terrace to you?

The play premiered during the Prithvi Theatre Festival 2004. After the shows in August 2007, we thought the play is over. But, Quasar Thakore Padamsee (director), Toral Shah (producer), Arghya Lahiri (light designer) and I are so excited over reviving it that I think it will go on till our joints start creaking.

Do you feel any pressure as it’s a one-woman show?

I have done a good number of Khatijabai shows. Still, before every show I feel jittery. Yet, I want to be Khatijabai, give a fabulous performance and tell her story to the audience again and again.

How has the experience of doing Khatijabai changed in the last five years?

I have grown a bit. So has Quasar. With this, a better understanding of the play has emerged. As a result, certain scenes are different now. I understand Khatijabai—an orphan girl who becomes the matriarch of one of the most influential households in Mumbai—better now. That helps me portray her character much more gracefully.

Despite drawing praises for your roles, why is your stage appearance so infrequent?

Nearly 12 years ago, I came to Mumbai looking for work. And television found me. My first show was Itihaas, followed by Kanyadaan. I have been a very hardcore television actor. In the last 12 years, I have done eight plays, including Mahatma Vs Gandhi, Mad about Money, Going Solo, Acid and Vagina Monologues. That’s not a bad number.

A number of TV actors are regularly seen on stage these days.

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