Introduction :
❖ Nipun Dharmadhikari is one of the most talented young drama artists and producers working on the Marathi stage. He has also found fame, hosting a popular web series ‘Casting Couch with Amey & Nipun’ on YouTube.
❖ Born in a disciplinary academic household, he joined Brihan Maharashtra College of Commerce (BMCC) as it was well-known for its cultural activities. In 2003, he started acting in plays for Purushottam Karandak, Pune’s coveted inter-collegiate theatre competition.
Professional Life and Career :
❖ Nipun is the founder of Pune-based theatre house Natak Company. This young artist is well-known for reviving century-old sangeet-nataks (musical dramas), five-act plays performed through the night in Shakespearean tradition, that was lost on contemporary theatre-goers.
Start of Natak Company :
❖ Natak Company set up by Dharmadhikari in 2009, is self-funded and self-managed.
❖ The 50-member unit scripts, accomplish, direct and produce the stage shows in an elegant fashion. They say that they have always strived to explore theatre, not to do the business of it.
❖ Their plays have been received cheerfully not only in the boundaries of Marathi theatre but also at festivals in the USA and at Bharat Rang Mahotsav (the prestigious theatre festival of Delhi’s National School of Drama).
✷ His experimental work got the vote of confidence from esteemed theatre personalities. Experts say that Nipun has many strings to his bow, especially his excellence on international platforms add more flavour to his achievements.
✷ Before finding his feet in professional theatre, Dharmadhikari was a name to reckon within Pune’s vibrant amateur theatre circuit.
Acting Career :
✷ Nipun started his acting with Cycle, a play based on a story by a Marathi writer. The play won many awards and he suddenly became popular as a theatre actor. He further adds that “Samanvay” a contemporary theatre group in Pune, encouraged them to perform 25 shows in ten months.
✷ Later he followed up with “Lose Control” a story of three teenagers living with sexual fantasies. As “Cycle” was a family entertainer play, it was only when film and theatre celebrities appreciated “Lose Control” that Nipun started to be taken seriously.
Challenges :
✷ Nipun is a risk-taker and he considers it as his big strength. He was forced into the field of direction as his seniors passed out. A futuristic director, he has directed plays that were ahead of their times, and he has always worked hard for every play.
✷ Under his direction, many actors applauded Dharmadhikari for pushing them to great heights. He has given a good platform to many debut actors & they still remember Nipun for the opportunity.
Difference between Theatre & Cinema :
✷ After his brief rendezvous with cinema, Nipun carved the script for Nautanki Saala in 2013. He further said that the movie production resources are so vast that you really need to be patient and smart while choosing them. Theatre, on the other hand, is laid back and grows when you are relaxed.