‘I’m a social vegan’

Aparna Banerji

A known face in theatre, her drama roots go back to her college days. Having made several outings in DD Punjab as well as television and films, it was with the film Chhapaak that the talented artiste was taken note of.

While her understated but potent presence on screen is free of melodramatic rigmarole, she is equally matter-of-fact and at ease in real life — balancing between her roles as a mother, wife and an actor. During the lockdown one can catch her doing tedious house chores, rehearsing lines from her upcoming play and catching up with son and hubby as they watch films together. Excerpts from an interview with actor Madhurjeet Sarghi

Please share the changes that Chhapaak brought to your life...

I feel blessed to be a part of team Chhapaak I’m more aware as a citizen, I have gained knowledge about our legal system (earlier it all sounded Greek to me). I am more compassionate towards acid attack victims and thanks to the amazing team this collaboration has definitely improved my aesthetics.

How has it been to live in a lockdown?

To tell you the truth I don’t feel much difference. I was always ‘a social vegan avoiding meet’. I just miss going for my rehearsals, shows, auditions and gym. Rest everything’s same.

Artists, theatre-persons, writers thrive in solitude. Does it apply to you? Has the lockdown led to a surge in creativity?

Solitude can be conducive for creativity but it doesn’t guarantee any outcome. I have super creative friends, who thrive on chaos. Before having a child I used to believe solitude’s a must. But now I have realised that I am more productive when it comes to work because I don’t waste time at all. Lockdown has made it possible for me to spend more time with my husband (Anurag Singh, director). Whatever we watch and read is followed by discussion and that is helping us both creatively.

Any life lessons you learnt from this pandemic?

New found respect for everything around me.

Something new that you discovered about yourself?

I’m getting more time to think and reflect. I have become more receptive.

What are you missing the most?

My younger sister was blessed with a baby recently. But because of the lockdown I haven’t been able to meet my little nephew yet. That’s the thing I miss the most.

Someone whose story inspired you? If you had a choice, who would you like to be quarantined with?

When I was preparing for my role in Chhapaak, I read about lawyers extensively. Arundhati Khatju and Meneka Guruswamy—these two women really inspired me a lot and also British actor/director /writer Phoebe Wallerbrigde. If I had a choice I would like to be quarantined with two polish poets I have been reading a lot lately-Wislawa Szymborska and Anna Swir.

A new hobby, interest that you have developed during the lockdown?

I hardly get time for a hobby.

Leisure is associated with privilege. Amidst the troubles that labourers face, how do you think artists could help them with art?

To quote Susan Sontag “Compassion is an unstable emotion. It needs to be translated into action, or it withers.” We need to actually help them with money and essentials. No painting or speech or film or song can help them. Art can only create awareness among the privileged ones.

What changes do you predict after the lockdown?

I can’t predict. I can just hope and pray that we humans learn to co-exist with other species on this planet.

Your upcoming projects?

Currently working on a solo stage show and creating some web content for two theatre groups I am associated with – Jashne Qalam and Kahani Sunoge?