Veteran theatre director and actor MK Raina made waves at the Jaipur Literature Festival when he abruptly walked out of a session featuring singer and actor Ila Arun.
MK Raina walked out of a Jaipur Literature Festival session featuring Ila Arun, criticizing the misrepresentation of Kashmir in Indian cinema.
Veteran theatre director and actor MK Raina made headlines at the Jaipur Literature Festival when he walked out of a session featuring singer and fellow actor Ila Arun. The unexpected exit left the audience and his co-panelists surprised.
According to PTI, the session, titled Memories from the Screen and Stage, was held on the second day of the festival and featured Raina and Arun discussing their respective memoirs—Raina’s Before I Forget and Arun’s Parde Ke Peechhey. The conversation, moderated by Asad Lalljee, took a turn when Arun spoke about her latest play, Peer Ghani, an adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s Peer Gynt, set in Kashmir.
Raina, who hails from Kashmir, expressed his frustration over the misrepresentation of his homeland in Indian cinema and theatre. “I’m sorry, I see bad films of Kashmir, accusing Kashmir of all kinds of things, lousy films… Kashmir is not being represented at all because they don’t know that state, is my assertion,” he remarked, as quoted by PTI. Moments later, he left the session while Arun was performing a scene from her play. His departure caused a stir, leading Arun to respond with a quip referencing Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai, the 1980 film directed by Saeed Mirza.
Despite the unexpected walkout, Raina’s memoir Before I Forget continues to draw attention, as it captures the highs and lows of his life and career, along with his experiences growing up in Kashmir. Similarly, Arun’s Parde Ke Peechhey offers an intimate look at her journey in theatre and film, both on and off the stage.
MK Raina is a distinguished Indian theatre director, actor, and cultural activist, known for his significant contributions to Indian theatre and cinema. Born in Kashmir, he trained at the National School of Drama (NSD) and became one of the most respected figures in the field. Over the decades, he has directed and acted in numerous plays in multiple languages, often addressing social and political themes. His work has earned him several accolades, including the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award. Raina is also recognized for his activism in preserving Kashmiri culture and heritage. His memoir, Before I Forget, offers deep insights into his personal and professional journey, chronicling his experiences in theatre, film, and his deep-rooted connection to his homeland.
(With inputs from PTI)
