Anjan Dutt’s final bow: Why ‘King Lear’ was his last choice
On Monday, veteran director, musician and actor Anjan Dutt will stage his final directorial theatre production, "Aro Ekta Lear", an adaptation of Shakespeare's "King Lear", in Kolkata. Ahead of its premiere, Dutt opened up about the relevance of the classic tragedy in today's world and why he chose it for his swan song.
Several months ago, Dutt took to social media to announce that "Aro Ekta Lear" would be his last directorial venture in the world of theatre. Since then, his decision has sparked widespread speculation within the theatre community.
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For his final act, Dutt chose to turn to William Shakespeare, reimagining "King Lear" in a contemporary context, which he titled "Aro Ekta Lear" (Another Lear).
In an exclusive conversation with Anandabazar ahead of the play's premiere, Dutt shared insights into the play's themes, its relevance, and his own artistic journey.
Earlier this year, Dutt's film "Chaalchitra Ekhon" garnered critical acclaim, winning several awards. Like the film, this play is also being produced independently by Dutt. This time, however, Dutt's vision takes a much darker turn, as he seeks to explore the human condition through an ominous world. His long-time collaborator Chhanda Dutt is responsible for costume design, ensuring each character's look matches this foreboding atmosphere.
In Dutt's "Aro Ekta Lear", Sudipa Basu, Kamalika Banerjee, and Parna Banerjee will play Lear's daughters, while Loknath Dey portrays Gloucester, Suprabhat Das takes on the role of Kent, and Subhra Sourav Das portrays Edmund.
The play will also feature experimental music, an integral part of the production's unique storytelling.
A firm believer in the significance of physicality and age-appropriate casting, Dutt has always prioritised these aspects in his theatre work.
Now 71, Dutt admitted that his age has played a significant role in his decision to step back from the stage. Reflecting on his career, he shared, "At one point, Badal Sircar helped shape me as an actor. When I performed in 'Galileo', I was in my mid-50s. But during rehearsals for 'Aro Ekta Lear', I realised that I can no longer keep up with the physical demands of acting on stage."
Dutt's decision to conclude his directorial career with "King Lear" was also deeply personal and strategic. He revealed, "I have directed plays by Brecht and Rabindranath Tagore, but I had never staged a Shakespeare play until now. And if it's going to be my last, there's no better choice than 'King Lear'."
In "Aro Ekta Lear", Dutt plays the titular role himself, a decision that he said stems from his identity as an actor first and foremost. "Some people are just directors, but I'm primarily an actor," he explained. "Even when I transitioned into films with Madly Bangalee, I found myself acting in most of my films. I've realised that I can't seem to create anything new without acting."
Though Dutt might retire from the stage as an actor, he remains open to the possibility of directing films in the future.
"King Lear", one of Shakespeare's most revered tragedies, has been adapted and performed worldwide in myriad forms, but Dutt's approach, he said, draws heavily from Eastern interpretations rather than Western ones. "At one point, this play was banned in the West due to its portrayal of violence. But Lear is not a fool! I followed Japanese and Russian interpretations when writing my version," Dutt said.
Dutt sees "King Lear" as a political play at its core, one that resonates deeply with today's world. To him, Lear represents the corrupted, materialistic society we live in. "This is a contemporary issue. Absolute power leads to corruption. You can see it everywhere around you," he noted.
For many Bengali theatre enthusiasts, Soumitra Chatterjee's portrayal of "King Lear" remains iconic. However, Dutt is quick to dismiss any comparisons between his version and Chatterjee's. "As I've said before, my play is different. My Lear is an insane, malevolent character. So, there's little room for comparison," he said.
Nevertheless, Dutt acknowledged that audiences are free to draw their own conclusions.
In the coming months, several more performances of "Aro Ekta Lear" are scheduled across various venues.
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