“Theatre is my first love… Every new play resets me. It humbles me. It makes me more human,” Rasika Agashe, known for championing contemporary writing and mentoring young artists through her platform, Sanhita Manch, told indianexpress.com.An alumna of the National School of Drama (NSD), with nearly two decades of experience across theatre, television, and film, Agashe has built a reputation as one of India’s most committed theatre voices.Her husband, actor Zeeshan Ayyub, on the contrary, has been more proactive and built a prominent career in Bollywood. “It’s actually a reverse journey,” she says, about that.In a candid conversation, she reflects on navigating a world increasingly shaped by OTT platforms, her grounding post-rehearsal rituals, and why—if she had to script it—her journey in theatre would be a sharp, dark comedy.Edited excerpts below:Q: Was there a turning point or challenge that made you rethink your path as a theatre artist? How did you bounce back?Rasika Agashe: Honestly, there was never. I’ve wanted to act since childhood. Yes, as I matured, I did shift my dreams from wanting to be Madhuri Dixit to Shabana Azmi. Luckily, the right people—like Atul Kulkarni—noticed me during college theatre days and pushed me towards NSD. My journey’s been pretty clean. If I had to sum it up in one word, I’d say “eye-opening”.Q: With audiences gravitating towards OTT, how do you craft narratives that draw people back to live theatre?Story continues below this adRasika Agashe: This concern isn’t new—it came up when cinema began, when TV arrived, and now with OTT. Theatre is timeless; it’s the only live medium. People who crave that raw, real connection will always come back. The decline in audience, I feel, is more economic than artistic. In places like Maharashtra or Gujarat, people still flock to plays. Theatre and OTT are just different art forms, comparing the two is like comparing a painting to a CGI image.READ | Ruskin Bond at 91: 'I get up to write, not to do exercises'Q: What’s one daring experiment or change you’d love to see on Indian stages soon?Rasika Agashe: New content. For a while, Indian theatre was stuck doing the same old classics. At Sanhita Manch, we’re working to bring fresh writing on stage, scripts that reflect our current times. Theatre must evolve with society.Q: While your husband Zeeshan has found his stride in Bollywood, you’ve remained devoted to theatre. What anchors you to it, even with the glamour of cinema?Story continues below this ad Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub and Rasika AgasheRasika Agashe: Theatre is my first love. Films are glamorous and pay more—so yes, when I run out of money, I turn to film or TV work. Recently I’ve started exploring film direction, which excites me. But theatre is pure. Every new play resets me. It humbles me. It makes me more human.Q: How do you and Zeeshan blend your unique experiences while collaborating on Sanhita Manch?Rasika Agashe: Zeeshan is our producer—he funds our festivals, which allows me to take creative risks. But he’s more than that. He joins rehearsals when free, and helps with actor training. We fight over content and direction styles—it’s a true partnership. He says the energy in theatre fuels him when he returns to films.Q: If you were to direct Zeeshan in a play, what’s one skill or nuance you’d most love to see him develop further for the stage?Story continues below this adRasika Agashe: He’s a brilliant actor—I’d love to direct him in any role. It’s not just about being his wife; I truly admire his craft. Hopefully, he’ll come back on stage this year.Q: During hectic rehearsal days, do you have a favorite ritual or guilty pleasure that recharges you?Rasika Agashe: Coffee. After late-night rehearsals, Zeeshan and I unwind over coffee, discussing what worked, what didn’t, and possible fixes. It’s our little reset button.Q: If you had to capture your theatre journey as a play, what genre would it be, and what playful or dramatic title would you give it? View this post on Instagram A post shared by Being Association (@beingassociation)Rasika Agashe: A dark comedy, for sure. Life is bizarre, and theatre reflects that beautifully. I think the play I’m currently directing says it all—All That Matters. It doesn’t preach, it helps us laugh at the strange world we live.The Sanhita Manch 2025 theatre festival runs from August 1-3.