Organisers giving more emphasis on staging plays in regional languages is gradually causing English theatre to wane, according to eminent theatre personality and actor Rajit Kapoor.

"English theatre is waning. It has always been limited to a select audience that too in metros only. The audience in smaller cities prefers plays in regional languages and to widen the spectator base, the organisers are now shifting more towards hosting regional plays," Kapoor told.

Kapoor was in the city to inaugurate a four-day theatre festival titled Airtel Lifestage, beginning Nov 12. Four plays by different theatre groups will be staged at the city's Vidya Mandir.

Rajit, who worked in off-beat films like "Suraj Ka Satvan Ghoda", "Sardari Begum", "Mammo" and "Zubeidaa", rued lack of market for small films.

His "Do Paise Ki Dhoop, Chaar Aane Ki Baarish", which also features Manisha Koirala and is actress Deepti Naval's directorial debut, has been waiting long for a release.

"Amid all the big budgeted movies there are hardly any takers for small films. You need to spend a fortune to promote a movie which the small filmmakers cannot do. I am not sure when will my movie release," said the actor who won the national award for best actor for his portrayal of Mahatma Gandhi in "The Making of Mahatma" directed by Shyam Benegal.

He, however, said "Do Paise..." is likely to release in March next year.