Mahesh Manjrekar, the multifaceted talent of Marathi and Hindi cinema, is back where it all began—on stage. His latest venture, ‘Animal’, co-produced with theatre veteran Ashwin Gidwani under AGP World, tackles the savage cost of chasing fame in Mumbai.
The story centers on Dattu, a wide-eyed boy from a modest town by Pandharpur, Maharashtra. He storms into Mumbai dreaming of spotlight glory, only to face the grinding reality that ambition extracts from the soul.
Wearing both actor and director hats, Mahesh infuses the role with lived experience. ‘I’ve watched this tragedy repeat in the industry,’ he confesses. ‘Dattu’s your everyday dreamer—suitcase stuffed with hopes, belly empty—joining hordes who either shine or vanish.’
The allure for Mahesh lay in the character’s pure heart, eroded incrementally. ‘One deal, one slight, one no—and he’s evolving into an animal,’ he describes the transformation.
Crafted over nearly a decade, the production innovates with sound design over scenery. Train rumbles, sharp ‘next’ commands, door slams create Mumbai’s unforgiving pulse. The minimalist stage underscores the theme: space abounds, but personal space? Elusive.
Mahesh paints a vivid contrast: ‘To Dattu, Mumbai is a beloved; to her, he’s on trial.’
‘Animal’ strips away the city’s seductive sheen, revealing the raw struggles of dreamers. Manjrekar’s passionate involvement elevates it to a must-watch, blending theatre artistry with unflinching social insight.