On the sidewalk

Sujata Assomull

Dalip Tahil will never be denied entry into a restaurant or stopped at the doors of an exclusive night club. In Mumbai, his face is perhaps among the most easily recognisable. And it has been that way since Evita in 1983. Sixteen years later, with Man from La Mancha Tahil is headed toward greater fame. The actor also plays producer with this musical based on the story of Don Quixote -- which premiered yesterday at the Sophia College auditorium. Playing the lead role opposite Suneeta Rao, the play is Tahil's first venture under the banner of his new theatre company, Theatrix Productions. "I have always loved this play and have wanted to act in it -- with someone else producing it." But when no one seemed to step into that role, Tahil decided that if the shoe fit to wear it. And a producer was born.

But there is a hitch -- donning two caps at one time, left Tahil with no time to play. "In the last two months time has really been a premium," he says. So, now Tahil's favourite spot is any place where hisfriends can be found. "There is no fixed location which I prefer to hang out in. As long as I have my friends around me, I am happy." Given his long association with theatre, it comes as no surprise that most of his best buddies are associated with the stage. So, at the moment, his favourite spot is the place where rehearsals for Man from La Mancha were taking place. From tomorrow, it could be the Sophia College auditorium. Or a film set.

Currently, Tahil is also working on films with directors Ram Gopal Varma, Rakesh Roshan and David Dhawan. "It gives me a great feeling of satisfaction to do both film and theatre at the same time." It does seem fitting that for a peripatetic man, his home away from home is also constantly changing.

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