Celebrating art and culture with Arpita Chatterjee

For theatre personality Arpita Chatterjee, Hyderabad has always felt like a second home, and she brought a piece of her heart to the city — she performed My Name is Jaan, a solo musical that beautifully brought the legendary dancer and singer Gauhar Jaan to life. The performance was part of cultural platform Chowrangee’s inaugural event ‘Raag-o-Rang’ at Shilpakala Vedika, Hitech City. In a candid conversation with CE, Arpita shared her insights on stage acting, her connection to Hyderabad, and more.

Excerpts

How did you feel about performing in Hyderabad?

I’ve been visiting Hyderabad for years and it is one of my absolute favourites. I stay in Noida for work, but it’s not my favourite — it’s where life has placed me. Hyderabad, though, is something else. It’s vibrant, full of energy, and quickly becoming the next big tech hub. The city has this young, dynamic vibe, with many bright, ambitious people shaping its future. I was extremely excited and happy to bring My Name is Jaan here for the first time.

What inspired you to get into stage acting?

This is my second time performing on stage and it feels just as magical as the first. When I performed for the first time, it felt amazing. There’s something about the stage that’s so raw and honest. I’ve been in films for over two decades and worked as a producer, but nothing compares to performing live. There’s no ‘cut’ here — what you do at that moment is final and the audience sees it exactly as it is. That’s what makes it so honest. Their reactions are immediate and real — whether they’re clapping with excitement or showing they’re not interested, it’s all out there. That unfiltered connection is what I love, and it’s why I know I’ll always be tied to the stage.

Tell us something more about your character in My Name is Jaan.

Gauhar Jaan’s journey is truly fascinating — she was the first gramophone lady of India, a true pioneer. Yet, it’s heartbreaking how little people know about her today. I felt incredibly honoured to step into her shoes and bring her story to life.

What challenges did you face while preparing yourself for a character like this?

The journey started during the second wave of Covid when everything felt uncertain and overwhelming. One morning, Abanti Chakraborty called me with an idea to create something — she suggested the role of Gauhar Jaan, and I was immediately drawn to it. Since I was already a classical singer, I seemed like the perfect fit. Since I was a part of the whole process right from researching to writing, it was easy for me to get into character.

What is your favourite food in Hyderabad?

Hyderabad biryani is iconic but I’m a Kolkata biryani fan. I love Hyderabad’s Karachi Bakery and the local Telugu thali on banana leaves.

Do you have any message for your fans?

Keep watching movies and keep watching stage performances. Just be with art and culture because they will always rejuvenate you.

What upcoming projects can we look forward to?

I’m excited about the upcoming world tour for My Name is Jaan. On the production side, a lot is happening — I’m working on a web series, a documentary called Fanatics, and another Telugu series is in the pipeline. 

(Story by Darshita Jain)