Puja Sarup is the co-founder of ‘Patchworks Ensemble’ and also a theatre artist, acting coach, and director of theatrical works based in Mumbai. When she was in 5th grade, she wanted to work in the World Bank, and to accomplish her childhood dreams she did her studies at St. Xavier’s College. She was not so engrossed in acting at that time, she just performed a few plays at her school. During her college days, she could not gather enough courage to an audition for the plays but during her final year of Studies, she thought, “Now or never” and went, auditioned, and got through in Atul Kumar’s adorable play, “Noises Off.” She was not fully sure of her decision to act in the play but when she did the play she was filled with a new zest, energy, and love for drama.
But she did not want to go to the National School of Drama in Delhi and at that time Mumbai did not have any Drama schools. Mumbai University had announced the MA Programme in Theatre Arts and she was a candidate for the first batch of the course, from 2003-to 2005. After completing her studies she joined Footsbarn, a leading traveling theatre company in 2005. She traveled with them for a few months while they toured France. She began her silver screen career in 2010 with the movie “The Girl in Yellow Boots” and then she did the role of Sui Dhaga in 2018. She acted in plays like, “Hamlet- The Crown Prince” and won the META Award, “All About My Mother,” and many more. Her hobbies are watching Netflix, and traveling. She is a strong believer that everyone has a story to tell, they just have to find their style, platform, and the story they want to tell.
In 2011, Puja went to Florence to do a 3-year theatre course at the Helios School, which was funded under the J. N. Tata Scholarship. After coming, she changed her decision and decided to become a creator. Then she met her co-director Sheena Khalid and they worked on “Ila” which was the debut for both the directors and also for Patchworks Ensemble. They were the adorable creators of the critically acclaimed drag show “Gentlemen’s Club aka Tape.” This duo was also the creator of “Fly by Night.” In 2910, Puja was awarded the Vinod Doshi Fellowship. She is also associated with some French companies like Buchinger’s Boots.
Puja’s meaning of a successful play is that the play should arouse curiosity and excitement among the audience and also the people related to the play. Before the play, they should follow a ritual, they gather around forming a circle praying and thanking the persons who have helped them to reach that stage. Her collaboration with the German director Sandbox Collective and Felix Ott for Ramayana is one of her most successful and exciting plays to date. Her soulful writing skills and amazing acting captivate each soul with awe.
