Mahesh Manjrekar’s new play ‘Animal’ pulls back the curtain on the often unseen battles that accompany the pursuit of dreams in Mumbai. With Dattu as his focal point, a young man whose bravado diminishes in the face of adversity, Manjrekar crafts a narrative that is both heart-wrenching and relatable.
Actor and filmmaker Mahesh Manjrekar has spoken about the hidden struggles behind chasing dreams in Mumbai while promoting his new Hindi stage play ‘Animal’. The veteran performer, known for films such as ‘Dabangg’, shared that the reality of ambition in the city is often far quieter than people imagine. In an interview, he described how years of watching young hopefuls arrive with dreams shaped the emotional core of the play and its central character.
Mahesh Manjrekar on the play ‘Animal’
According to The Free Press Journal, Manjrekar discussed the play while reflecting on its themes and the journey behind bringing it to the stage. The project marks another collaboration between the actor and theater producer Ashvin Gidwani after the success of their earlier production ‘Double Deal’. Their new Hindi play ‘Animal’ has already drawn attention for its intense, actor-driven storytelling.The play centers on Dattu, a young man from a small town near Pandharpur in Maharashtra. He arrives in Mumbai hoping to build a name for himself. What begins as confidence in both the city and his talent slowly shifts into a harsh fight for survival.The performance unfolds with Manjrekar alone on stage as Dattu speaks directly to the city, his imagined audience, and his conscience. The structure blurs the line between performance and confession. After nearly nine years of preparation, Manjrekar brings the project to the stage both as its lead actor and director.
Mahesh Manjrekar on struggle in Mumbai
While speaking about the emotional roots of the story, Manjrekar explained that the play reflects the reality many newcomers face when they arrive in Mumbai with ambition.“When I read Animal, I didn’t see just Dattu; I saw every young boy who arrives in Mumbai with a suitcase full of dreams and pockets full of hope. I have lived long enough in this industry to know that struggle is not dramatic; it is silent, repetitive, and humbling.”The actor said the character is not directly based on his life. Still, he noted that the feelings behind the role come from real experiences within the industry.He explained that the desire to prove oneself, the sting of rejection, and the loneliness that can exist in a crowded city all helped shape the character.For Manjrekar, drawing from real life remains central to his creative process. Those experiences, he said, are what make the character Dattu feel honest and believable on stage.
