Gujarati theatre's first family offers its youngest talent to audiences this weekend. Sarita Joshi's grandaughter, and Ketaki Dave's daughter Riddhi makes her stage debut with Deekri No. 1
Gujarati theatre's first family offers its youngest talent to audiences this weekend. Sarita Joshi's grandaughter, and Ketaki Dave's daughter Riddhi makes her stage debut with Deekri No. 1
Sixty six year-old Sarita Joshi, a veteran on Gujarati and Marathi stage, film and television is a far cry from Godavari Thakkar, the tough matriarch she portrays in hit TV serial Baa Bahu aur Baby. For now, she's just a grandmother who can't betray a hint of nervousness, the kind you see among parents when their tot is appearing for a school entrance exam. This weekend will see her granddaughter Riddhi Joshi, 21, play her first lead role.
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Riddhi Dave, Sarita Joshi and Ketaki Dave are all smiles |
The third generation actress from the Joshi-Dave family steps on Gujarati stage this Sunday to play Riddhi Vaishnavi, the protagonist of Deekri No. 1. She doesn't carry any of the anxiety that grandmom and mother Ketaki Dave carry.u00a0 She plays a young, pampered, college-going girl who wants to pursue an MBA degree but gives in to marriage when her father's close friend approaches the family with a proposal. Riddhi agrees when she's assured of continuing her studies.
"It's only after my character gets married that she realises things are far from hunky-dory, faced with a patriarchal family that has no interest in letting her study," explains Riddhi. This kicks off her transformation into a young woman who strives to keep her dreams alive even as she honours her family's rules. "At a time when a divorce is filed over petty issues, this script says it's possible to work out issues by winning over your family."
Her father Rasik Dave may be the producer-director but Riddhi tries convincing you that it's been far from easy.
"I've studied in an English-medium school and so, my Gujarati is colloquial while my character has a poetic diction. I had to work hard to get the nuances right," says Riddhi, who put in two months of training to fit her character.u00a0 "In the rehearsal room, I am like any other cast member, not the producer's daughter," she smiles.
On: November 29, 7.45 pm. At: Tejpal Hall, Gowalia Tank, near August Kranti Maidan, Grant Road.
Call: 23802679. Tickets: Rs 100 to Rs 300 You've seen Sarita Joshi as: Abhishek Bachchan's mother in Guru.
You've seen Ketaki Dave in: The last season of Big Boss and as Daksha Virani in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi
Mom Ketaki Dave on Riddhi"I have full faith in Riddhi's genes. I know she's going to be a dhamaal. This is the beginning of her career and she needs to make her own identity. Her family will always be with her for goodwill and advice."
Grandmom Sarita Joshi on Riddhi
When Ketaki, Riddhi and I did a stage show, many years ago, I realised this girl has the potential to make it big. I just pray that the stage and her audience take care of her with as much love and affection as they have showered on me all these years.
Dad Rasik Dave on Riddhi
Riddhi had said she wanted to act in a play 6 months ago but I did not start looking for a script right away. A stage actor has to be passionate about his work, unlike TV or films, and it was only when I saw the passion build in Riddhi that I started scouting for a suitable script.
