Aryan Mehta Embraces Theatre as Foundation for Acting Career
Aryan Mehta, the son of renowned producer duo Kinnari and Jay Mehta, has been diligently preparing to enter the world of acting, opting for an unconventional path by focusing on theatre to refine his craft. In a recent revelation, he shared his deep-seated belief in theatre as the ultimate medium for actors to express themselves authentically.
Theatre as the Ultimate Actor's Medium
Aryan Mehta explains, "I feel theatre is an actor's medium to express themselves in the best possible way. There are so many small and intricate things you need to do. There are no multiple takes, unlike in films. This experience of being a theatre actor will make me a better performer." He emphasizes that one of his primary motivations for pursuing theatre is to be recognized purely as an actor, above all else, and he sees no better platform than theatre to achieve this distinction.
Early Exposure and Educational Background
Growing up in a family deeply entrenched in television production, Aryan was immersed in showbiz from a tender age. "I grew up around TV and film sets and was always drawn towards acting. I loved Bollywood and have been a movie buff," he recalls. To formalize his passion, he studied film production and theatre at a university in London for three years, which served as his first major introduction to the intricacies of filmmaking.
Professional Experience and Training
After completing his education, Aryan gained hands-on experience by working as an assistant director at Karan Johar's production house for two years. He reflects on this period, stating, "I worked on Nadaaniyan, which gave me valuable insight into how films are made, how acting works, and the many other aspects of filmmaking. Those early experiences helped prepare me to be part of this industry." His acting journey began in his teenage years, with training at the New York Film Academy and Barry John's acting institute, along with collaborations with theatre groups and casting director Dhananjay Pandey to polish his skills.
Further honing his abilities, Aryan trained under Ashok Pandey, who taught him essential techniques such as voice modulation, understanding expressions, reading subtext, and overall performance enhancement.
Lessons from the Acting Profession
Reflecting on what acting has taught him, Aryan notes, "Acting breaks the monotony of conventional professions, and that was a big reason I chose this path. It allows me to escape reality. I can be one person today and someone completely different the next day." He highlights the importance of discipline in the industry, adding, "Time is money. Every second and every minute costs something, so as an actor, you need to stay focused and disciplined to achieve the best results. You also have to be prepared for surprises and challenges because you never know what might come your way."
Upcoming Stage Debut and Future Aspirations
After years of patient preparation, Aryan is now ready to showcase his acting skills on stage. He will be seen in Rangrezz, a Hindi adaptation of Shakespeare's Othello, which opens tomorrow. He describes the play as a tragic love story that teaches lessons about self-trust and love, with its unique selling point being the exploration of different facets of a single character.
Looking ahead, Aryan expresses his artistic aspirations, saying, "I want to explore every medium, including web series and films, and take on interesting and complex roles. I am doing theatre because I want to polish my skills and be recognised as an actor. This is my first step, and the next would be doing a film or a television show."
