Viewfinder A Memoir

A NO-HOLDS-BARRED MEMOIR BY ONE OF INDIA'S MOST LOVED ACTORS. Amol Palekar calls himself an actor by accident, a director by choice and a painter by nature. A postgraduate from the Sir J.J. School of Arts, Mumbai, he commenced his artistic career as a painter in 1967, working alongside in the Bank of India. After a chance meeting with the legendary theatre person Satyadev Dubey, he became a leading contributor to avant garde theatre in India. After his noteworthy performances in Chup! Court Chalu Hai (1968), followed by Mohan Rakesh's Adhe Adhure (1969) and Girish Karnad's Hayavadana (1972), he soon turned a director with Badal Sircar's Vallabhpurchi Dantakatha (1969), Pagla Ghoda (1970), Juloos (1975) and Party (1976). In 1972, he formed his own theatre group: Aniket. His production of Sadanand Rege's Gochi (1973) was a landmark event that transported theatre outside of the restricted space of proscenium. His productions such as Gochi, Chal Re Bhoplya Tunuk Tunuk and Juloos were performed by his troupe outside auditoriums, in gardens, garages, canteens, foyers, terraces, etc. As a film actor, Palekar ruled the silver screen for over three decades from 1970.