Meet the Amygos

AmyGo productions with Naseeruddin Shah and Ratna Pathak

"It is surprising that a young theatre group has attempted a complicated subject like Albert Einstein. The story telling is innovative and engaging."                                                                                                                               
-Naseeruddin Shah on "THE EQ" by AmyGo productions.


Just four more days until the maiden performance of AmyGo productions in the city! As Kolkata gears up for The National Theatre Exchange, ExPRESS Magazine representatives had a wonderful interactive session with Amatya Goradia from AmyGo productions! Their much acclaimed  multiple award winning play "THE EQ", which has been staged 28 times throughout the country, is scheduled on the 28th of April, at the University Institute Hall, beside Presidency University from 6:30pm.

• In another week, you're performing at Kolkata! What are your expectations from the event?

First of all we as a group are really excited to be a part of this unique exchange program between M.A.D and AmyGo Productions. Because we are performing for the first time in Kolkata, it is quite intriguing, as we have heard that Kolkata is a smart audience. We wish to deliver our best and put up a good show. We expect the event to be fun, joyous and meet the pinnacles of an authentic exchange!

• The story of Einstein presented in a non-cliched, quirky way, why don't you tell us something about the play and its progress?

“Einstein was one of the smartest personalities on planet Earth. His brain would be loaded I guess” is one of the common reactions I have heard from peer groups, which made me think about the depth of this spectacular personality. It was always his perspective and not just a high voltage functioning brain, which mattered. This is what struck me while I was researching for the project. Similarly, I was very much interested in his EQ (Emotional quotient) as compared to his IQ. We have been lucky enough to gamble on a “non-cliched” story telling and to receive a marvellous reaction from the audience. The troupe has now completed 28 shows in a couple of years and wishes to continue saying “his” story.

•  How did the formation of AmyGo productions come about? Please introduce us to the team members too?

AmyGo Productions formed while I, Amatya Goradia, was writing and directing a Hindi one act play called Rishta Electronic Taar Ka, which blew people’s minds and struck them emotionally. This motivated us to make experimental plays like THE E.Q, 30ML REPEAT, ADBC, SAAVAR, WOH CHAAR PANNE etc. All of us started off as Amateurs and we still think we have a long way to go. In this exciting journey, the production house gave birth to young enthusiasts like Karan Bhanushali, who has been a part of all the productions. Smit Ganatra, Aarushi Saxena and Omkar Kulkarni, the three being one of the best finds of the group have repeatedly delivered some outstanding performances. An energetic right hand, Dhaval Thakkar, has no fixed post in the production as he has his hands in all aspects of the company. Kalpak Bhave, who is a playwright and contributes to the content of what the group, wants to execute. Production team consists of Ishita Doshi who is also the set designer of our plays, Prachi Mehta, Rushita Champaneri who make our sets! 17 year olds like Mati Rajput, Manavi Keer and Dharmaj Joshi have contributed beautifully. The list will never end as more than 80 people have been a part of the group since 2013!

Omkar Kulkarni

• Mumbai has a rich and flourishing thespian circuit, probably the best in India! In your opinion who are the people who have contributed majorly to this?

Sachin Tendulkar wouldn’t be the God of Cricket if he didn't have a powerful base like Shivaji Park. The grass root facilitated his cricketing career to make him the best batsman ever! Similarly, the Inter- collegiate or the amateur Theatre scene in Mumbai has been superlative. The kind of competitions and festivals giving platform to young theatre enthusiasts is unbelievable. My skill has taken shape under the inter-collegiate theatrical platforms and I couldn’t ask for more! So I would like to mention Mr. Quasar Padamsee, who according to me is one of the biggest contributors on the table. Quasar and his entourage have strived hard to make contemporary plays and make things happen. There are Theatre Practitioners like Jehan Manekshaw(The Drama School Mumbai), Akarsh Khurana(AKvarious Productions), Amol Bhor(Marathi theatre contemporary) and many more enthusiasts who have gone out there and made some interesting pieces for people to relish.

• Have you been to Kolkata before? What do you feel about the Bengali thespian culture?

I have been to Kolkata while touring for a Gujarati Professional play in May 2008. I was 15 then. It was then when I started tasting blood and enjoying the commencement of the theatrical journey. Honestly, I don’t know much about the Theatrical scenario in Kolkata. I wouldn’t like to comment on the theatrical scenario, as I have no knowledge in detail. But I have seen With Love, Calcutta, which made me fall in love with the city, I must say.

• Thespo, Kala Ghoda, Bhausaheb, IPTA, the spoils have been endless, which one of these lot has shaped and influenced this theatre group the most to what they are today?

Bhausaheb One act play competition has been responsible for “Shaping” and moulding the production house as they let us experiment. Thespo is one platform which “influenced” our thought processes and made us think in depth. Kala Ghoda has been responsible to provide us with a national level platform and IPTA is responsible for making us understand the meaning of the word “creation”.

•  The youth thespian scenario is flourishing slowly and steadily in the country, what do you think would keep this growth constant and won't take it down after a certain point of time?

For constant growth we need to find ways to make money out of our pieces. I am being very honest. If we want to continue doing ‘our kind of work’ then we need to find ways to not only survive but to flourish financially. In terms of quality, I am sure theatre practitioners are always in a process to find good subjects and stories to say. So in terms of quality, thespian scenario will continue flourishing because of the enhancement of contemporary thoughts and understanding the craft better!

• What are your dream projects?

I want to build my own theatre! There are rules to apply for dates-

1) Amateur groups allowed and professionals are strictly restricted!
2) Just submit synopsis and book dates!
3) Dates will be made available for one and all! You don't need to be a full time theatre artiste. It is okay if you work at a call centre and rehearse all night to put up a production.
4) Express the best you can!
5) Rock the stage!

Apart from this genius idea, Thank you (Chuckles!). I want to make a musical once in my life. It is the first priority on my bucket list now!

•  What is your take on the theatrical exchange in the city? Just two sets of play, or a massive introduction of cultural exchange?

I look at a complete introduction to a cultural exchange as we are not only exchanging plays but also functioning and ideologies of two theatre groups. We get to learn a lot from each other.

• Why don't you tell us about some of the other most memorable plays of yours?

I remember doing a play called Gochi Shakuntala. It was a spoof on Shakuntala and Raja Harishchandra! The play was an out and out comedy and the process was fun! I guess sometimes it is great to do work which does not make sense at all but provides you rejuvenation and entertainment.

•  How would you like to take your organisation forward in the coming years?

I want to focus on quality and an honest approach. I want to travel with the group and attain experience. But my focus would be on saying stories which we genuinely believe in. Superficiality is something we want to avoid. 

Team E.Q

• Your message for the Theatre enthusiasts of Kolkata?

It is great that you guys are Theatre Enthusiasts! Just go out there and say stories you want to.



Amatya Goradia in conversation with Anubhav Chakraborty.