Ms Marvel's Mohan Kapur talks Hollywood, Bollywood and returning to theatre

At a time when streaming platforms and big-ticket spectacles dominate conversations around entertainment, actors Mohan Kapur and Vidya Malvade are betting on live theatre.

The duo is currently gearing up for their stage production Marry Go Round, which was staged in Mumbai on April 18. The play is said to be a mix of drama, humour, music and a sharp social undercurrent set against the backdrop of a big fat Indian wedding. But beyond the spectacle, both actors see theatre as a medium that is quietly, but steadily, evolving in India.

Mohan Kapur on rediscovering the craft

For Kapur, returning to theatre after nearly a decade has been less about nostalgia and more about recalibration. “The moment rehearsals began, I realised I had gone back to the drawing board of performing. No matter the medium, the craft remains the same, but theatre forces you to discipline your basics. It grounds you,” he said.

Unlike film sets, where retakes, camera angles and edits can refine a performance, stage acting offers no such safety net.

“It’s a one-take show. You begin, and you end. Everything in between is yours to hold together. That’s both terrifying and exhilarating,” he added.

Hollywood vs Bollywood

Kapur’s entry into the Marvel universe with Ms. Marvel was, by his own admission, almost accidental.

“I didn’t even have a portfolio ready,” he recalled with a laugh.

It was his manager who pushed him to audition, despite him being unfamiliar with the process of headshots and showreels. “I got into the industry by chance, and things just kept happening. I never thought of packaging myself that way,” he said.

The audition eventually led to his casting, but the journey underscored a larger lesson for the actor. “You realise that no matter where you go, even in Hollywood, you have to show up and prove yourself for every role. There are no shortcuts,” he said.

Having worked internationally, including in the Marvel universe, Kapur is often asked about the differences between Hollywood and the Indian film industry. His answer cuts through the glamour.

“The craft of performing is exactly the same. The differences lie in the ecosystem, larger budgets, better preparation time, and a more structured approach to collaboration,” he said.

The actor pointed out that in Hollywood, table reads and rehearsals are integral to the process, allowing actors to explore their characters more deeply before stepping onto set. “There’s a certain gravitas in how things are approached,” he added.

However, Kapur is quick to dismantle the idea that global exposure automatically translates into access. “You need a body of work, representation, and patience. It’s not something that happens overnight,” he said, underlining the importance of persistence over perception.

Theatre in India

Despite frequent claims that theatre is a fading art form, Kapur strongly disagrees. “It’s not dying, it’s just not talked about enough. In fact, it’s doing better than it did 20 years ago,” he said.

He attributed this shift to a growing ecosystem of independent creators and smaller productions. “Much like streaming platforms opened doors for new voices, theatre is seeing a similar wave. Smaller groups are performing in intimate spaces, telling stories that don’t necessarily need a grand stage,” he said.

According to him, the evolution lies in diversity. “Every story finds its own scale. Some demand 800 seats, others work best with 20 people in a room. That’s the beauty of it,” he said.

However, he acknowledged that infrastructure remains a challenge. “We need more spaces, more investment, and stronger support for writers and new voices across departments,” he added.

Theatre is like a moving meditation: Vidya Malvade

For Malvade, the return to stage has been both physically and emotionally demanding, but deeply fulfilling.

“This is my first time performing on such a large theatrical scale, and it’s nerve-wracking. But the connection with the audience is magical. That’s what you take back as an artist,” she said.

She described theatre as an antidote to the heaviness of the current world. “Everything around us feels so grim. Theatre gives people a couple of hours of joy, t’s a small but meaningful escape," the actor added.

“You cannot afford to drift. If you think about a mistake you made five seconds ago, you’ll miss your next cue. For me, it’s like a moving meditation, two hours of being completely in the moment,” she said.

Both actors highlight the energy younger performers bring to the stage. Malvade noted their “oodles of confidence,” while Kapur emphasises the importance of discipline.

“There’s immense talent today, across fields. But this craft requires patience. You have to read, observe, and constantly learn, not just from films, but from theatre itself,” Kapur said.

Marry Go Round in Mumbai

Set against the chaos and charm of a big fat Indian wedding, Marry Go Round blends humour, dance and drama with a subtle social message. “It’s fun, it’s high-energy, it’s entertaining but there’s an undercurrent you can’t miss,” Malvade said.

Kapur, meanwhile, is embracing one of his most unexpected challenges in the play, dance. “I haven’t danced in over three decades. But once I got over the fear, I started enjoying it. And that’s the key, if you’re having fun, the audience will too,” he said.