Months ago, renowned director and actor Anjan Dutt announced that he would helm only one more play in his illustrious career. His choice for this grand finale? William Shakespeare’s King Lear, but with a contemporary twist. Renaming it Aro Ekta Lear (“Another Lear”), Dutt’s production takes the timeless tragedy and reimagines it for the modern world.
In an exclusive interview before the first performance, Dutt explained his decision. “I’ve directed works by Brecht and Rabindranath Tagore, but I’ve never tackled Shakespeare. For my last play, there’s no other option than King Lear,” he said. At 71, Dutt, who has long been a pivotal figure in the theatre world, recognizes that his time on stage as an actor is coming to an end. Reflecting on his past, he shared, “I realized during rehearsals that I can no longer perform on stage. I’ve reached an age where acting just doesn’t feel feasible anymore.”
However, the passion for acting hasn’t waned. Dutt, who also directs and produces the play, decided to take on the title role himself. “I’m primarily an actor,” he explained. “I’ve always been drawn to acting, and I can’t imagine creating something without it.” Dutt’s acting journey has been deeply entwined with his filmmaking career, but for this final theatrical venture, acting remains central.
While King Lear has been staged in countless ways worldwide, Dutt is particularly focused on a unique interpretation shaped by Eastern sensibilities. “In the West, the play was once banned for its violent themes. But I see Lear as a symbol of a corrupt, materialistic society,” he said, drawing comparisons to contemporary issues like power and corruption. For Dutt, King Lear isn’t just a classic—it’s a political statement, resonating with today’s world.
The cast of Aro Ekta Lear includes talented actors like Sudipa Basu, Komolika Bandopadhyay, and Parna Bandopadhyay as Lear’s daughters, and actors like Loknath De and Supravat Das in key roles. Chanda Dutt has worked on the costume design to reflect the play’s darker tone, while the music will explore innovative new avenues.
Dutt is keen to differentiate his production from the legendary performances of actors like Soumitra Chattopadhyay, saying, “My Lear is a mad, wicked character. There’s little room for comparison, though if the audience draws one, that’s their perspective.”
As he prepares for the upcoming shows, Dutt remains firm on one thing: this is his swan song. Aro Ekta Lear is set to be a bold, experimental reflection of both his artistic journey and the world as it is today.