Scared about being in front of a live audience after 10 years: Sandiip Sikcand

MUMBAI: Television’s showman for over a decade, producer and creative writer Sandiip Sikcand makes his theater comeback with Sharman Joshi’s Production A Play That Goes Wrong, which is set to open to theaters this weekend.

Apart from a brief appearance in his television show, Sandiip discovered his acting side when he played a transgender in Murder 2 and was critically acclaimed for his convincing performance.

Sandiip went on to be the creative director a well-known television house and later helmed his own production house, under which he produced a progressive show revolving around the love story of overweight protagonists. His recent chat show Juzzbaat created quite a buzz, with actors making many revelations on the show.

We got in touch with Sandiip for a quick chat.

What are your expectations from the play?

Entertainment for the audiences, satisfaction for my team, and a reassurance to myself that the actor in me still breathes.

Tell us something about your character?

I have been doing plays—acting, producing, and directing—since 1999. This is honestly the most difficult play that I have ever worked in; the comedy, the energy, the running up and down is just amazing but very difficult. I play the role of a butler who has a problem of forgetting his lines, so you can imagine.

Are you nervous as there are no retakes in a play as compared to television?

Nervous as hell… more than retakes and lines, I am scared about being in front of a live audience after 10 years. I just hope that I live up to the expectations of my cast and team

Most actors have acquired habits or follow a disciplined ritual before they start their act. Is there anything in particular you follow?

I need to be left totally alone. I take my time to familiarize myself with my set, see my props, and think about my character. I go into a full quiet, silent, and intense zone. It basically helps me focus and put all my energies towards the show.

How’s the energy on the sets?

There’s a different vibe altogether while you’re rehearsing for a play. One moment we’re all having a mad time, and the next, we’re completely into the scripts. We were continuously improvising. It’s absolutely crazy and a fabulous learning experience. Moreover, I lost over 2 kilos during the rehearsals. So that’s good right?

If you had to adapt any play into a TV show, which one would you pick and why?

Not really, because plays have a very definite story, and it must end when it has to. Yes, a web series maybe, but I am not saying which play because I don’t want my idea to be copied.

You have been closely associated with television for a very long time. Your brief stint with Bollywood was appreciated too, and now you’re doing theater. Which medium is the most exciting for you and why?

I think each medium has its own fun, and I’m lucky to be working in all three. I hope and want to excel in all three. But if I have to pick one, then it’s the stage. The instant feedback, the preparedness of any actor to be ready with improvisations—all this makes this medium the most exciting. Stage is like riaaz for acting.