Master
acting coach, the Perth-based Dalip Sondhi, is excited by the acting
talent in Bollywood, following his workshop in Mumbai
By
Shevlin Sebastian
Photos: Dalip Sondhi; actress Ridhi Dogra; at the Mumbai workshop
“Ridhi
is able to understand the character so well,” says Dalip. “She
is a student who can stand up to the best in the world.”
After
more than two decades of teaching, Dalip can easily spot those who
have remarkable talent. “In a class of 15 people, you will always
be able to identify one or two who will make a mark,” says Dalip.
But
talent is not enough. “You need an openness, a desire to work well
with others, a zest for life and to care about what is happening in
the world,” says Dalip. “You also need to have an absolute
passion for theatre and film.”
Unfortunately,
many fall by the wayside. One reason is because their expectations
are too high. They cannot deal with criticism of their work or the
lack of money. Many take the rejection for roles personally. “So,
they give up,” says Dalip. “It is just too hard for them.”
On
the other hand, Dalip has been resilient. Of Indian origin, he grew
up in London, and became a police officer, at age 18. And he saw a
lot of action in London during the Broadwater Farm race riots of
1985. “It was one of the worst riots,” says Dalip. “We used
only shields and sticks against an armed bunch of rioters.”
As
time went on, Dalip realised that, as a policeman, he had become
narrow-minded. “Everything was either black or white,” he says.
His friend, Martin Langshaw, a musician told him he should go to
university. But Dalip did not know what course to do. And it was
Martin who suggested acting.”
So,
Dalip did a three-year degree in the performing arts from Middlesex
University followed by a Masters from the Central School of Speech
and Drama. Then he tried his luck as an actor.
“The
Indian parts I got were stereotypical,” says Dalip. “Directors
realised that I was not Indian enough. And, in a paradox, I was also
not British enough, because of my Indian aesthetic.”
So
he shifted to teaching. He worked at Central School, Hertfordshire
University, and London's elite drama school, the Rose Bruford
College. Thereafter, in 2002, he joined The Western Australian
Academy of Performing Arts at Perth as a Programme Director for
Theatre Arts. In 2013, Dalip left and formed the SDDS International
Institute for Dramatic Art, because he wanted to do something for
Indian actors.
Meanwhile,
his colleague Dr Abhijit Das has been conducting acting workshops in
Mumbai for the past six years. So, he invited Dalip to teach there
in July.
But
Dalip is frank enough to admit that it will not be easy for Indians
to break into Hollywood. “In Bollywood you need
emotionally-charged acting, while in Hollywood, they prefer
restraint and control,” says Dalip. “So Indians will find it
difficult to do well. But by coming to our workshops, they can learn
to act in both styles.”
In
September, Dalip is planning to set up longer acting programmes in
Mumbai. He is also working with actor Nandita Das to produce an
upcoming film. “Life is good,” says Dalip, whose family runs the
Jalandhar-based FC Sondhi and Company, India's leading cricket
equipment-manufacturing company.
(Sunday
Magazine, The New Indian Express, South India and Delhi)
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