Had COVID not happened, we would have completed 1000 shows of Mahabharata: Siddhant Issar

Siddhant Issar, Puneet Issar's son spoke to us about his love for animals that drove him into making a film,

COVID

putting a spanner in the stage shows of the legendary

Mahabharata

series, his desire to play grey shades and more...Q: You made a film on

animal cruelty

. Is the subject of animals close to you? Yes, I stand against cruelty towards animals. I feed stray cats and dogs in my lane. There are nine cats in my garage whom I've permanently sheltered. I also have two pet cats at home, Pipi and Princess. In Goa, we have our family farm house, where we have made a Gau Shala and sheltered abandoned old cows and also male calves. We prevent their slaughtering and starvation. We feed and medicate them. We haven't made it a business. We don't exploit them for milk or other things. We just feed them and take care of them, like our children. That's why I made a film which opposes animal cruelty, mainly cow slaughter.

Q: What about acting in film. Would you be open to doing

negative

and villainous roles like your father?
The definition of villain and hero has been changed over the years. Our Indian film industry has evolved. Nothing is black and white today, all roles are grey. As an Actor, I tilt towards the darker part of dark grey I'd say. I prefer layered roles. I've done

Duryodhan

on stage in over 100 shows like my father did on TV. I think an inclination towards negative characters on screen or stage is a part of my genetics. In fact, I made a film last year on

suicide prevention

, in which I played a grey character. This year again I am releasing my second film, a typical revenge thriller, and in that too I am playing like an anti-hero vigilante.

Q: Has COVID and lockdown taken a toll on your work?
Live theatre and plays have stopped. Our show 'Mahabharata An Epic Tale', which ran from 2018 to 2020 had completed over 150 shows and had the lockdown not happened we would have completed 1000 shows by now. I miss being on stage. Otherwise during the lockdown I took inspiration from what was happening around - the suicides and mental breakdowns - and I made a film on Suicide Prevention. Later, when things eased out I made another film, which is against violence, and also opposes animal cruelty, especially cow slaughter.