MUMBAI: Actress Harleen Kaur Rekhi, known for her character Mandodari in Shrimad Ramayana, is now winning hearts playing Mata Seeta in the stage production Humare Ram, starring Ashutosh Rana as Ravana. A passionate theatre artist, Harleen has performed in over 60–70 plays since 2011, after graduating from Shri Ram Centre, Mandi House, a place she fondly calls her "first school" of acting. Speaking about sharing the stage with veteran actor Ashutosh Rana, Harleen describes the experience as “incredible and mesmerizing.” She recalls, "Seeing him since childhood, he has always been an idol. Every day, every time I step on stage with him, it’s a new experience altogether." She praises Rana for his powerful command over pure Hindi and the magnetic aura he brings to the stage. Despite the rise of screen-based entertainment, Harleen remains a fierce advocate for theatre. "Theatre is, and will always be, my first school. It stays with you till your last breath," she asserts. "It's a beautiful art form — there are no retakes, and the joy of receiving instant reactions from a live audience is incomparable." Recalling emotional moments from Humare Ram performances, Harleen shares touching memories: "An elderly couple once came on stage with tears in their eyes, touching my feet and offering me prasad. They said, 'You are Seeta Mata for us.' Moments like these stay with me forever." Another memory she treasures is being called a favorite by a three-year-old child. With 215 shows under her belt for Humare Ram, Harleen says every performance feels like the first. "The same excitement, the same butterflies. Performing live is a constant challenge because you have just one chance. Once done, it's done — and that’s the beauty of it." For Harleen Kaur Rekhi, theatre is not just a profession — it’s a lifelong devotion that continues to shape her as an artist and a person.
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