The Real Thing: DSM Alumni on Producing & Directing
At Drama School Mumbai (DSM), training goes beyond acting to include the art of producing and directing. The journey from student to creator is one of practice, rigour, and transformation. DSM alumni, equipped with skills in dramaturgy, production budgeting, and creative collaboration, are now leading their own projects, directing performances, and producing theatre that resonates with audiences. Here, we celebrate four alumni whose journeys in directing and production exemplify the power of DSM training.
Manasi Bhawalkar: Finding Her Directorial Voice
“How do I know everything about my project right at the start? I’ve learnt to begin this period of discovery with clear questions.”
– Manasi Bhawalkar
A 2023 recipient of DSM’s Niloufer Sagar Alumni Production Grant, Manasi Bhawalkar made her directorial debut with Boli Gaind Ka Supna, a solo performance adapting Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Dream of a Ridiculous Man into an Indian context. For Manasi, the joy of directing lies in seeing something take shape from the ground up, evolving through rehearsals and live performances.
While producing presents its own challenges, Manasi has learnt to start each project with clear questions rather than having all the answers. Reflecting on her journey at DSM, she shares, “Theatre training really helped me question confidently, even if these questions felt stupid.” Manasi’s experience underscores how DSM empowers students to discover their voice and embrace the uncertainties of creating.
Sharodiya Chowdhury: Accidental Director, Intentional Producer
“I was always pretty clear about being a performer, but never about direction. But the joy is in the collaborative form… I like working with actors to arrive at a performance.”
– Sharodiya Chowdhury
Sharodiya Chowdhury’s path into directing was, in her words, “accidental.” Trained in Kuchipudi dance and featured in the short film Dekhish Ki Amon Bhabhe on Disney Plus Hotstar, Sharodiya always envisioned herself as a performer. Yet her journey took an unexpected turn with her play Product of the System, written during an Unblock workshop by Traverse Theatre and Rage Productions.
In 2023, Sharodiya founded Golpo Productions, a Mumbai-based theatre company aimed at creating experimental work across diverse genres and forms. Through Golpo, she hopes to reach urban audiences with innovative storytelling. “Producing is very hard, and a lot of math!” she laughs, acknowledging the challenges while also expressing the thrill of seeing her work come to life.
Trinetra Tiwari: Merging Poetry with Performance
“Poetry is an integral part of my process. I believe you can say a lot through poetry.”
– Trinetra Tiwari
Trinetra Tiwari’s entry into directing and production began as an actor in rehearsal rooms led by directors like Aniruddha Khutwad, Atul Kumar, and Sheena Khalid. He later co-directed Adrak with Niketan Sharma and his own play Ulat Basi with Hemant Pandey. With a background in poetry, Trinetra found a way to merge his love for language with his directing style, creating performances that are as lyrical as they are impactful.
His latest play, Rangaai, produced by Manav Kaul and performed at the Kala Ghoda Festival in 2023, tells the story of a bonded labourer and explores themes through an abstract and absurdist lens. In founding his theatre company, The Bombay Repertory, Trinetra continues to experiment with different art forms. Reflecting on his DSM journey, he says, “I was very new to theatre when I joined DSM, but then I started doing plays with different theatre companies.”
Aakash Prabhakar: Finding Artistry in Organization
“Training helped me focus on the aspects of production that I love watching. Of course, it’s all very overwhelming, but once you do it over and over, you understand this is simply part of the job. And then it’s fun!”
– Aakash Prabhakar
As the founder of Here and Now Entertainment, Aakash Prabhakar has built a career directing, acting, and producing across theatre and film. His work on productions and films reflects his fascination with the creative process, a curiosity that DSM helped cultivate. For Aakash, theatre is more than performance; it’s a form of communication that fosters empathy and vulnerability.
Aakash finds the greatest reward in organising and seeing his work come to life on opening night. DSM’s fast-paced, chaotic training environment taught him the value of organisation, which he now considers central to his artistic process. “Training helped me focus on the aspects of production that I love watching,” he explains, noting the challenges and thrill of producing. Aakash’s journey shows that DSM alumni are as adept at behind-the-scenes work as they are on stage.
Makers in Progress: From Training to Transformation
DSM’s alumni like Manasi, Sharodiya, Trinetra, and Aakash embody the school’s dedication to building skilled, confident creators. The path from student to director or producer is one of discovery, collaboration, and continual growth. DSM equips its students with the tools to tackle every aspect of theatre-making—from budgeting and production planning to building a compelling narrative and working with actors. For those with the passion to create, DSM provides a transformative space to become makers in progress.
Article written by Rishika Kaushik