Veteran Indian actor Manoj Joshi , a Padma Shri recipient known for his versatile performances in films, television and theatre, has returned to the stage to portray Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Viral Rachh’s Sardar: The Architect of United India. In an exclusive interview with HT Lifestyle, the actor opened up about the challenges of bringing Patel’s story to the stage, his enduring love for theatre and his journey as an actor.
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His friend Geeta Manik spent seven years researching Patel and wrote around three drafts of the play. Their shared vision was to bring Patel’s story and his contribution to the unification of India to the stage in a compelling way. “We chose not to do just a play. He highlighted how Patel navigated complex political situations and used strategic thinking to bring princely states, including Hyderabad, Bhopal and Junagadh, into the Indian Union. From Chanakya to Sardar Vallabbhai Patel, Manoj Joshi’s extensive work in Indian theatre across Hindi, Marathi, and Gujarati languages is well-known. “An actor who starts their journey in theatre can never truly detach themselves from it. For me, theatre is my pranayam, my oxygen. Each comes with its own set of demands. He explained that theatre involves a continuous process of learning, preparation and grooming, with actors needing to remain prepared until the very last moment. theatre requires actors to stay on their toes and deliver their performances in real time, making it a uniquely challenging experience While films and television have their own demands.
The actor, who has been associated with theatre for nearly 40 years, added that it continues to inspire him to explore new aspects of his craft.
“This was my dream initially, 10 years back,” said Manoj Joshi, recalling how the idea of portraying Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel took shape. The play should be the talk of the country,” Joshi said, emphasising the team’s ambition to create a memorable theatrical production. Recalling memorable moments from the play, Manoj Joshi said, “Every single scene is very important for me. It rejuvenates me and gives me a sense of fulfilment,” said Manoj Joshi, reflecting on his enduring love for the stage. Speaking about the differences in storytelling across mediums, Joshi said, “I think every medium is challenging, whether it is films, television or theatre. “Every medium has its own challenges, but theatre is a different ball game altogether,” he said, adding that performing live requires a different kind of preparation and presence of mind.
