NEIL BHOOPALAM ON THEATRE, SATIRE & ORIGAMI | CYRUS SAYS

In this episode of Cyrus Says, actor Neil Bhoopalam joins Cyrus for a witty and insightful conversation about his latest theatre project and his quirky personal passions. Neil talks about his role in 'The Horse', a Roman political satire presented by Aadyam Theatre and directed by Sunil Shanbhag, where he plays Silanus opposite Caligula—the emperor infamous for making his horse a senator. The discussion dives into the satire’s relevance today, the challenges of adapting British-style political humor for an Indian audience, and the massive scale of the production with 20 speaking roles, a Colosseum-inspired set designed by Kushal Mahant, and lighting crafted by Hidayat Sami and Yael. Away from the stage, Neil opens up about his unusual obsession—folding 1,000 origami cranes. Inspired by a personal loss, Neil shares how this meditative practice brings him peace, and how he’s already crossed the 350-mark in his crane-making journey. He even reveals the story of handing a paper crane to cricket legend Sourav Ganguly mid-flight, showing just how deeply personal yet universal this ritual has become for him. This episode blends theatre, philosophy, and personal storytelling into an engaging listen. If you’re curious about Indian theatre, Aadyam productions, Sunil Shanbhag’s direction, acting techniques, or the balance between art and life, this episode with Neil Bhoopalam is a must-listen.

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