Lokmat News Network
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:
The period in which Sinhasan was made and the present time are very different. The conflict depicted in Sinhasan was within a single political party. If a new Sinhasan were to be made today on the same theme, how many inter-party conflicts would one show? Youngsters often suggest making a remake of Sinhasan, but now a single party rules and internal conflicts occur within it. Hence, the subject of a remake does not arise, said director and paediatrician Padma Shri Dr Jabbar Patel.
Dr Patel was speaking during ‘Jabbari: An Open Interview’ on Sunday, the second day of the first all India medical literature culture conference. Dr Prithviraj Taur, Dr Ganesh Mohite, and Dr Yashwant Gade engaged him in a discussion about his journey in theatre and cinema, his social awareness, and his association with the medical field.
Excerpts from the interview:
Question: If you were to be reborn, would you choose to become a film director or just a doctor?
Dr Jabbar Patel: Both have distinct characteristics. I do not believe in rebirth. An actor is born to speak the words of a playwright and receive appreciation. Beyond this, an artist needs nothing more.
Question: A boy passionate about theatre chooses medical education… how did this different path emerge?
Dr Jabbar Patel: I belonged to a middle-class family. In those days, it was customary for only boys to study. My two sisters had to discontinue their education after the seventh standard. I did not like mathematics. Becoming a doctor was a necessity for me due to family and financial reasons.
Question: How do you view trained versus naturally gifted artists?
Dr Jabbar Patel: At that time, rehearsals themselves were education. The director was the teacher. Today, formally studying acting is beneficial.
Passion is life-giving for artists
Dr Jabbar Patel said that passion may appear overwhelming, but for an artist, it is life-giving and brings something new. Doctors, too, can be good actors. Children should be allowed to pursue what they wish to do.
Photo Caption:
Dr Jabbar Patel speaking during an interview at the first all india medical literature culture conference, along with Dr Prithviraj Taur, Dr Ganesh Mohite, and Dr Yashwant Gade.