by Subhash K Jha

For the first time in the history of Hindi-Urdu theatre Sushant Singh will be playing a a living character. In a stage adaptation of M.F. Husain's autobiography Husain Ki Kahani Husain Ki Zubani, to be directed by Nadira Babbar, the talented Sushant Singh will play the mythic barefoot painter from his early youth to his present age.

Says Sushant, "Important and interesting episodes from his childhood to the present day form the narrative of the play. The director will try to intersperse the scenes with footage and slides of Husain's paintings, native place, news clippings etc.

I' m playing the young and subsequently the old Husain. The interesting part for me is a chance to meet and interact with Husain, and try to pick up his mannerisms.

He also plans to be involved in the making of the play. Let's hope we are able to put up a good show. It's also the opening of the silver jubilee festival of Nadira Babbar's group Ekjut."

"It's very tough to play someone who's a living legend. You've to get all the physical and emotional details just right," says the dedicated actor who was last seen on stage last year in Heads Ya Tail with Nandita Das.

"Time permitting, I'd love to do more plays. They rejuvenate me as an actor. I'm famished for opportunities. It's a great opportunity to play Husain Saab specially in a play as huge as this, and with such a large canvas."

Sushant Singh was in Chandiharg lat month shooting for his first Punjabi film. "Gurdas Mann's film is based on the life of Sufi poet Waris Shah, the famed author of 'Heer', being played by Gudas Mann. Juhi Chawla, Divya Dutta and I are the other principal players.

I' m opposite Juhi.Divya plays my sister.The interesting part is that it's a period film, and for the first time such a huge set has been erected for a Punjabi film."

The film is being directed by Manoj Punj. "I also hope to finish the shooting of Mani Shankar's Mukhbir by April.It's shaped up really well. There's so much excitement happening in our cinema. This is a wonderful time to be in the movies."