Kumud Mishra credits theatre for becoming an actor: ‘I don’t have any existence without it’

Q. Being an NSD graduate, theatre must be close to your heart. What keeps you coming back to it?

Kumud Mishra: I have been consistently doing theatre since the beginning of my career. I never really took a break from it. Theatre gives you the freedom to explore characters and tell stories in your way. That level of creative freedom is curtailed in other mediums, because not many things are in your hands. That’s probably one of the reasons I keep coming back to it.

Q. Much like films, experimental theatre is often not accepted in commercial theatre setups. How do you select the plays you wish to participate in?

Kumud Mishra: Commercial films operate within market constraints and budgets, which create a certain pressure. This applies to large-scale theatre productions as well. However, independent groups and individuals like us, try to keep budgets under control. Theatre offers creative freedom—you can tell your kind of story without being bound by audience expectations. If you create plays solely based on audience expectations, you risk falling into a formulaic approach—a challenge that also affects commercial cinema. Since the financial stakes aren’t as high, once you commit to a play, your responsibility is to present it in an engaging way and make their investment worthwhile.

Platforms like Aadyam Theatre help expand this space, allowing us to experiment with sets, lights, and costumes while reaching a wider audience. Over the years, theatre audiences have grown. Shows in cities like Delhi and Bengaluru often run to full houses. Since the financial stakes aren’t as high, once you commit to a play, your responsibility is to present it in a way that captivates audiences and makes their investment worthwhile.

Q. You have also worked with your wife, especially in theatre. Does it help bring out the best in you?

Kumud Mishra: My wife Ayesha (Raza) and I have worked together, but not extensively. Nonetheless, it’s a fun experience. But, assuming our best work will be guaranteed when acting together is incorrect. The chemistry between two actors on stage is different—it’s about the characters they are portraying, not their real-life relationship. When we perform, we are not husband and wife; we are two actors. The fun part is that every time we collaborate, we start as strangers on stage, finding common ground through our characters.

Q. Have you ever felt you’ve been typecast on the screen? How do you ensure to keep your versatility alive?

Kumud Mishra: I don’t think so, despite often playing police officers and politicians. That said, most people tend to stay within their comfort zones. I make a conscious effort to do something different with every role because the world is full of unique individuals—how successful I am in doing so is another matter. You have to embody the person, not the uniform or costume. It sounds simple, but it’s a challenge.

As for interviews, I am not comfortable giving them. I don’t have much to say about myself, and I tend to repeat the same four things. Also, while I am not hesitant about sharing my views, I don’t like speaking about people I don’t know or making vague statements. I prefer expressing my thoughts among friends and colleagues rather than airing them publicly.

Kumud Mishra with Sumeet Vyas. (PR handout)

Q. Do you think actors need to maintain a certain off-screen persona to be accepted in specific roles?

Kumud Mishra: I don’t understand the concept of an off-screen persona. I am who I am. When I work, I take on a role, but beyond that, I am just doing my job like anyone else. The only difference is that my work is visible to many people, and because of its association with glamour, it’s viewed from a different perspective.

Q. Would your career have been different without theatre?

Kumud Mishra: If there were no theatre, I wouldn’t be an actor. Theatre helped me understand acting. Whatever I have as an actor is because of theatre, I don’t have any existence without it. If I hadn’t pursued acting, I might have been a soldier or an athlete, but that’s in the past. What’s certain is that without theatre, I wouldn’t be an actor. It has played a crucial role in my journey.

Q. One film you cherish being a part of?

Kumud Mishra: It’s hard to pick just one. Every film gives you something. Working with Anubhav Sinha has been an enriching experience. My most challenging role was in Ram Singh Charlie with Nitin Kakkar. I also learned a lot from Nazar Andaaz and Airlift. If I miss out any film, it will be a big disappointment because all my films have given me something.

Q. What’s the most challenging thing you have done for a role?

Kumud Mishra: If a character excites you, you naturally want to look and feel like them. For Ram Singh Charlie, I had to lose weight in a short time. Similarly, for Article 15 and Nazar Andaaz, I made specific changes to match the roles. But that’s part of my job. For Saanp Seedhi, I want to look different from my past plays. The character is also something I haven’t explored before, which makes me very excited about it.