Why Rajat Kapoor keeps returning to theatre: ‘Being well-known or not isn’t relevant’

Rajat Kapoor, a renowned actor, filmmaker, and theatre director, has spoken about his passion for theatre and his latest project, The Thing With Feathers. Kapoor is a filmmaker at heart, always striving to make his next film, but theatre provides a unique joy and a way to fill the long gaps between film projects. His recent production, The Thing With Feathers, explores the first 50 years of the 20th century, highlighting how much the world changed during that time, yet also showing similarities to the early 21st century.

Kapoor has collaborated with actor Vinay Pathak for nearly three decades, and their working relationship is built on trust and mutual enthusiasm for the craft. Kapoor believes that theatre is thriving, particularly since the pandemic and the rise of OTT platforms have changed people's movie-watching habits. Despite not always having a star-studded cast, theatre continues to attract audiences willing to pay more for a live performance.

Working on The Thing With Feathers presented few challenges, as the play seemed to materialise naturally, and Kapoor never doubted its potential. The actor is well-known in the cinema industry, but his involvement in theatre is driven by the sheer joy of creation, collaboration with friends, and the love for performing. The Thing With Feathers received a great response in its first run in Mumbai, and Kapoor has no plans to make any major changes for future performances. The play will be staged at OP Jindal Auditorium in Delhi on September 26 and 27.