OTT no threat to theatre, craze for live performances growing: NSD Director

Despite the meteoric rise of OTT platforms offering countless entertainment options, the world of theatre remains undeterred. Contrary to the belief that the craze for live performances is dwindling, officials at the National School of Drama (NSD) say enthusiasm for theatre is growing, particularly among the youth.

The NSD, India’s premier drama institution, has been fostering talent since its establishment in 1959 by the Sangeet Natak Akademi. It became an independent school in 1975 and continues to thrive as the heart of Delhi’s theatre scene.

Speaking to The Tribune, Chittaranjan Tripathy, Director of NSD, emphasised the timeless appeal of theatre, stating, “Cinema and OTT may be popular, but at the end of the day, these are forms of screen play. Theatre is the purest form of play, and it will die only when humanity ends.”

Tripathy dismisses any notion of theatre losing relevance. Instead, he claims that its appeal, especially among young people, has grown. “Many people, particularly youth, come to see plays at NSD. Most of the time, we don’t even have enough seats to accommodate everyone. Even after increasing our ticket prices, shows still sell out, whether on weekdays or weekends. And it’s not just NSD — other nearby theatres are seeing the same trend,” he said.

‘NSD’s seats are packed every night’

NSD’s seats are packed every night because theatre offers a live performance where you can hear, feel and see the sweat and breath of the actor — something technology can never replace. — Neelam Mansingh, Theatre director

Reflecting on cinema’s origins, Tripathy explained, “When cinema first started, filmmakers used to rehearse plays and then record them. Theatre has always been an integral part of cinema. Today, while filmmakers can reshoot scenes, there’s nothing like the allure of a live performance, honed to perfection.”

Dharamveer, Assistant Registrar for Academics at NSD, echoed Tripathy’s sentiments, sharing that the interest in theatre education has only grown over the years. “The frenzy for NSD hasn’t died down — it has only increased. We started with 20 seats and now have 32. We receive thousands of applications each year, but we hand-pick our students and provide them scholarships,” he said.

Dharamveer also highlighted the success of a new short-term course introduced by the NSD, which saw a significant response despite minimal publicity. “We launched a three-month programme for the first time and, with only a week of promotion, around 170 students enrolled. We received over 300 applications,” he added.

Renowned theatre director Neelam Mansingh also weighed in on the discussion about theatre’s relevance in the age of OTT. “When you’re training to be an actor, you’re focused on gathering skills, technique and honing your imagination. Right now, working with NSD and on my production, I don’t see the actors thinking about OTT. They’re focused on perfecting their craft. Whether you go on to do theatre, cinema, or OTT, the foundational tools of learning are the same,” she said.

She continued, “Yes, there are new role models, but the love for acting and theatre hasn’t changed. NSD’s seats are packed every night because theatre offers a live performance where you can hear, feel, and see the sweat and breath of the actor —something technology can never replace.”

While the NSD students were busy practising, Manu Sharma, a theatre student in the college, said the medium offers a unique opportunity for self-discovery. “There’s a lot of exploration involved. I’m not usually an emotional person, but when I’m acting, I have to bring out tears for a scene,” he shared.

Renowned NSD alumni like Naseeruddin Shah, Irrfan Khan, Anupam Kher and Nawazuddin Siddiqui have left their mark on Indian cinema. For theatre enthusiasts, Mandi House, often dubbed Delhi’s Broadway, is the city’s theatre hub, housing iconic venues such as NSD, Kamani Auditorium, LTG Auditorium and Shri Ram Centre. The area buzzes with posters, drawing theatre enthusiasts to upcoming performances.