I See Myself As A Filmmaker First

Bringing Macbeth with clowns and The Brothers Karamazov back-to-back, Rajat Kapoor reflects on 25 years of theatre, managing time between films, writing, the stage & more

- RESHMI CHAKRAVORTY

CTOR, filmmaker, writer, and theatre director Rajat Kapoor has worn many hats over the past three decades, but none alone can fully encapsulate the range of his artistic journey. From memorable performances on screen to bold experiments on stage, Rajat has carved a unique space for himself in both cinema and theatre. At the core of it all lies a singular passion: storytelling—whether through film, plays, or the written word.

Now, Hyderabad audiences will get to witness two of his most contrasting theatrical works, as Hardik Shah's The Natak Company brings What's Done Is Done, a clown-led reimagining of Macbeth, and The Brothers Karamazov, a layered Hindi adaptation of Dostoevsky's 900-page novel, to Shilpakala Vedika on August 9. Both plays feature a stellar ensemble cast, including Vinay Pathak, Ranvir Shorey, and Mantra. In a candid conversation with CE, Rajat Kapoor opens up about the making of these productions, his creative collaborations and more.

Excerpts Tell us about the two plays you're bringing to Hyderabad.