Mumbai: Actress Rachel Babbar will be seen portraying Loi in the upcoming play Kabira Khada Bazaar Mein. Describing her character as a woman who finds strength in simplicity and love, Rachel says Loi is someone whose innocence and emotional warmth make her stand out. “Loi is a very innocent, simple and pure-hearted woman. She is loving, caring and emotionally connected to Kabir. Her innocence is her biggest strength, and I think that’s what makes her character special,” she shares.
Preparing for the role involved understanding Loi’s lifestyle, the social setting of that period and the kind of woman she would have been. Rachel wanted her portrayal to feel authentic and relatable rather than exaggerated. She paid particular attention to her body language, expressions and reactions to bring out the natural simplicity of the character.
Talking about the challenges of playing Loi, Rachel says understanding her emotional world was one of the most interesting aspects of the role. Being married to someone like Kabir, whose thoughts and outlook towards life were unconventional, meant that Loi had her own expectations, feelings and emotional experiences to navigate. “Finding that emotional balance was interesting as an actor,” she says.
The character has also given Rachel a different perspective on life and its lessons. She believes Loi’s simplicity reflects how some of life’s most meaningful truths can be understood through everyday experiences rather than complex philosophies. “Loi made me realise that you don’t need to be highly educated or philosophical to understand life,” she says. Rachel also finds certain similarities between herself and Loi, particularly when it comes to being caring and emotionally connected. However, she feels Loi is much more innocent and simple, which made exploring the character a lovely experience.
For Rachel, theatre is much more than just a form of performance. Describing it in one word, she calls it “Liberation”. She explains that the stage gives her the freedom to explore different emotions, personalities and stories, allowing her to discover new dimensions of herself as an actor.
Her association with the play has also brought her closer to Kabir’s philosophy. One of the biggest lessons she takes away from his teachings is the importance of questioning things rather than accepting everything blindly. She believes that being truthful to oneself and having the courage to stand by one’s beliefs are values that everyone should embrace.
Rachel feels that Kabir’s thoughts continue to hold relevance, particularly for today’s generation. She hopes the play encourages younger audiences to reflect on his teachings while enjoying an engaging theatrical experience. “It is a beautiful combination of music, emotions and meaningful storytelling,” she concludes
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