Theatre personality Arundhati Raja will be putting on a new production of Girish Karnad's play Bali in Bengaluru soon. Arundhati Raja, a theatre artist, has transitioned from balancing teaching science and theatre to focusing solely on theatre. As she prepares for her English adaptation of Girish Karnad's Kannada classic, Hittina Hunja — Bali: The Sacrifice, she reflects on revisiting a play after years, the challenges encountered, and her hopes for the future of theatre. Below are some key insights from her:

- Utilizing AI in directing Bali: Arundhati Raja found AI to be a valuable tool in directing Bali. While AI may not replace human knowledge like that of Girish Karnad, it can offer its own unique support. With Bali being staged previously, recasting a couple of characters was necessary, but overall, the production came together smoothly.

- Evolution of English theatre in Bengaluru: Having lived in the UK, Arundhati Raja was pleasantly surprised by the English plays in Bengaluru, which gradually became more Indianized over time. Translations of local language plays into English have helped stories reach a broader audience. The theatre scene in Bengaluru has undergone significant changes, reflecting the dynamic nature of the art form.

- Importance of teamwork in theatre: Arundhati Raja emphasizes the team-based nature of theatre and the need for comprehensive training to understand and excel in the craft. Effective delivery of dialogues and natural performance are key aspects beyond just physical presence on stage.You can emulate the character you aim to depict through teamwork. Unlike films, plays often do not get a second chance from audiences. Theatre can be challenging as some people view it as dull or exclusive to intellectuals, which is not accurate.