Theatre personality Arundhati Raja will be presenting a new production of Girish Karnad's work Bali in Bengaluru soon. Arundhati, who has a background in both teaching sciences and theatre, decided to focus exclusively on theatre after some time. As she prepares for her English adaptation of Girish Karnad's Kannada classic, Hittina Hunja - Bali: The Sacrifice, she reflects on the challenges she has encountered, revisiting a play after several years, and her vision for the future of theatre.

Regarding her experience with directing Bali, Arundhati mentioned finding Artificial Intelligence (AI) to be particularly helpful in the process. Despite not being able to consult with Girish Karnad this time around, she turned to AI for assistance, emphasizing the importance of using technology beneficially. Although AI may not possess the same knowledge as Karnad, Arundhati found it to be useful in its own way. With Bali being staged previously, she had to recast two roles for the new production, but overall, the process went smoothly thanks to the foundation laid previously.

Arundhati also discussed the evolution of English theatre in Bengaluru, citing her positive surprise at the quality of English plays upon her return from the UK. Over time, these plays began to incorporate Indian flavors, and translations of local language plays into English facilitated broader accessibility to diverse stories. She acknowledged the dynamic nature of theatre in Bengaluru, emphasizing the importance of change and adaptation in the art form.

Furthermore, Arundhati highlighted the collaborative nature of theatre, emphasizing the need for extensive training to comprehend and execute the intricacies of the craft. Theatre, according to her, is not merely about delivering lines or stage presence but requires a deep understanding and commitment to teamwork.Individuals can absorb the essence of the character they are attempting to depict, making it a collaborative endeavor. While viewers may dismiss multiple films, they seldom offer plays a second opportunity. Theatre is regarded as a demanding form of entertainment, with audiences quick to dismiss it if they find a performance unappealing. Surprisingly, those who give up on a play will readily watch another movie, even after a disappointing experience. Moreover, there exists a prevalent misconception that theatre is mundane or exclusive to intellectuals, which is far from accurate.