Makarand Deshpande and Nivedita Pohankar

The play revolves around the story of Murli AKA Timeboy, a curious penguin, his family and friends, including Pohankar, who are each assigned an animal. The play delves into the curious and impatient mind of the protagonist who makes an impulsive trip to the future, only to realise what he has in the present is his most prized possession. “The animals keep the children hooked to the story,” she reveals, adding that other elements like self-written songs, and a play of lights further enhance the visual experience for their young audience.

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Between Pohankar’s instructions at the studio, an occasional recurring prompt caught this writer’s attention — “Imagine how Mak would do it,” referring to theatre maker and actor Makarand Deshpande, who we learn, has even played the part of the seven-year-old titular protagonist at a previous show. Somehow, that doesn’t come as a surprise given his lively and contagious free-spirited nature. “Do you see yourself in Murli?” we probe. 

“Absolutely. What keeps me ticking is the child inside me,” he exclaims, adding, “It’s not as much about the appearance of an actor as it is about how well the character lives inside him. A child has no fear of failure or judgment, he is free from societal confines and lives in a constant state of wonderment.”

For Deshpande, the message of living in the moment is as relevant as it could be today. “We live in times where kids live in virtual worlds more than the real one. You will often see parents boasting how their children can operate complex gadgets. That, by no means, is a measure of a child’s achievements. There are moments to be lived and experienced by being physically present. Nothing can substitute that.”

As we step out of the studio and head back home, Pohankar’s words echo in our minds, as if the instructions were not just for the actors. “Be free; think like a child. Live in the moment and don’t forget to be as expressive as you can.”

On Today; 11 am 
At Prithvi Theatre, 20, Janki Kutir, Juhu. 
Log on to in.bookmyshow.com 
Cost Rs 300