Migration & memory shape Vijay Sharma's play

Actor, writer, and director Vijay Sharma’s new play Papa Painter is more than just another performance — it’s a deeply personal journey. “It’s a love letter to every father,” he says. “The play explores the bond between a father and son — the silences, the distance, and the constant yearning to understand each oth er better.” Reflecting on the emotions that inspired the work, Vijay adds, “When you move from a small town to a big city, you leave behind so much — your people, your relationships, your sense of home. Over time, the emotional distance between you and your parents widens, but the love never changes.” Excerpts from a chat:

‘PERSONAL MEMORIES AND STRUGGLES BECOME THE FABRIC OF A STORY’
Vijay’s lived experiences often shape his writing. “I don’t consciously start with the idea of writing about my life, but somehow my experiences creep in. At some point, you realise that your personal memories, struggles, and observations have become the fabric of the story,” he says. His two recent plays explore modern Indian masculinity through contrasting lenses. “Besharam Aadmi is about a progressive man navigating gender roles in today’s world, while Papa Painter examines a working man’s relationship with his father. Both explore the modern man — caught between the values he grew up with and the world he inhabits today,” he says. The theme of migration — both physical and emotional — runs deep in his work. “Many of us have moved from smaller towns to cities in search of better opportunities. That migration changes everything — your outlook, your relationships, even your definition of home,” he reflects.

‘SWITCHING BETWEEN ACTING AND DIRECTING IS BOTH TRICKY AND REWARDING’
Having worn multiple hats in theatre, Vijay admits that shifting between acting and directing can be both challenging and fulfilling. “When you’re acting, you’re inside the story, feeling every emotion. But as a director, you’re outside it, shaping the story and guiding others,” he says. Speaking about his creative process, he adds, “If a story keeps me hooked, it grows on its own — sometimes into a play, sometimes into a film, or something entirely different.”