AI Will Not Harm Theatre, Say Naseeruddin Shah and Paresh Rawal at Pune Festival Opening

Pune, 25th May 2026: Artificial intelligence will not have a negative impact on theatre, and live stage performance will continue to remain irreplaceable, veteran actors Naseeruddin Shah and Paresh Rawal said on Monday, expressing strong confidence in the future of performing arts.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the first Shriram Lagoo National Theatre Festival organised by the Maharashtra Cultural Centre along with the Lagoo family, the two senior artists said that theatre remains a living, spontaneous and irreplaceable form of expression.

“AI cannot replicate the energy of live performance,” Paresh Rawal said, underlining that stagecraft depends on human presence and emotional immediacy. Naseeruddin Shah noted that despite multiple distractions and alternative entertainment platforms, theatre productions continue to draw full houses, reflecting its enduring appeal.

The inaugural session featured a public interaction moderated by veteran director Vijay Kenkre. Also present on the dais were Dr. Mohan Agashe, Maharashtra Cultural Centre president S. P. Kulkarni, festival director Prasad Vanarse, and Anand Lagoo among others.

During the conversation, both Shah and Rawal revisited their early journeys in theatre and cinema, recalling how school and college competitions first helped them discover their passion for acting.

Shah shared insights from his time at the National School of Drama (NSD) and later at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune, saying that education in acting shaped his understanding of performance. He stressed the difference between training and education, noting that while training provides environment and facilities, life itself remains the biggest teacher.

He also recalled how Shakespeare’s plays initially felt dull in classrooms but came alive on stage, changing his perspective on theatre and cinema.
Paresh Rawal, reflecting on his Gujarati theatre background, said early performances helped him find direction in acting, even though productions lacked technical refinement. He praised Marathi theatre for its long-standing richness and discipline. He also shared a humorous anecdote about later becoming president of NSD despite initially knowing little about the institution.

Rawal highlighted the importance of preserving cultural spaces such as Prithvi Theatre, referring to Shashi Kapoor’s efforts to sustain it despite high real estate pressure.

Both actors told reporters that a strong script is half the performance. Shah said he values authenticity, depth and timeless energy in Rawal’s acting, while Rawal praised Shah’s intellectual clarity and emotional depth.

Shah expressed confidence in the younger generation, saying that despite growing up in a digital environment, their engagement with theatre remains strong. “Theatre has always been declared endangered, but it continues to survive and will continue in the future,” he said.

Anand Lagoo said the launch of a national theatre festival in the name of Dr. Shriram Lagoo reflects his belief that theatre contributes significantly to cultural refinement.

Festival director Prasad Vanarse outlined the vision behind the event, while Rajesh Deshmukh conducted the proceedings. The programme saw the presence of several theatre personalities including Amol Palekar, Dilip Prabhavalkar, and Satish Alekar.