Actor and filmmaker Mahesh Manjrekar has opened up about the harsh realities of the entertainment industry while speaking about his new Hindi stage play Animal. In an interaction, the veteran actor reflected on the silent struggles faced by aspiring artists in Mumbai’s film industry and the emotional depth behind the play.
After more than two decades of friendship and creative collaboration, Manjrekar has reunited with theatre producer Ashvin Gidwani for the new stage production. The duo had earlier worked together on the successful play Double Deal, and now return with a much darker and more introspective theatrical work.
A Story Of Dreams And Survival
The play Animal tells the story of Dattu, a young man from a small town near Pandharpur in Maharashtra who arrives in Mumbai chasing the dream of becoming a star. However, what begins as hope slowly turns into a struggle for survival in the competitive world of show business.
In the play, Manjrekar not only directs the production but also performs the lead role. The story unfolds as a powerful monologue-driven performance in which the character confronts the city, the audience, and his own inner conflicts.
Interestingly, the city of Mumbai is never visually shown on stage. Instead, it is portrayed as an invisible force felt through sound, pressure, and emotional tension — almost like a character that constantly tests the protagonist’s endurance.
“Struggle Is Not Dramatic”
Speaking about the inspiration behind the character, Manjrekar explained that the play reflects the experiences of countless dreamers who arrive in Mumbai with hopes of making it big.
According to him, struggle in the entertainment industry is rarely glamorous. Instead, it is often quiet and repetitive. “I have lived long enough in this industry to know that struggle is not dramatic; it is silent, repetitive, and humbling,” he said.
Although the character of Dattu is not autobiographical, Manjrekar admitted that many emotional elements of the story come from real-life observations — the pain of rejection, the loneliness of chasing success, and the constant desire to prove oneself.
The Harsh Reality Of Mayanagri
Manjrekar also spoke about how Mumbai can be both a dream factory and a dream crusher. Over the years, he has seen many young people arrive in the city full of ambition, only to leave years later with disappointment.
However, he believes that the character of Dattu is not merely a victim. Instead, the role represents resilience, hope, and the madness required to keep chasing a dream despite repeated setbacks.
The Challenge Of Performing ‘Animal’
For Manjrekar, the most difficult part of performing the play is maintaining honesty on stage. Since the production relies heavily on monologues, there are no cinematic tools such as editing, camera angles, or background music to support the performance.
“Theatre is unforgiving,” he explained, adding that an actor must rely entirely on emotion and conviction to keep the audience engaged. But when everything works perfectly, he says, the experience becomes truly magical.