Theatre personality, artiste and sculptor Lushin Dubey tells us what it is to live life on one’s own terms yet redefine it constantly

“The Mind is Everything, What You Think You Become!!”

This quote from the Buddha seems to be apt for Lushin who herself is a firm believer in the philosphy of Buddha. An Actor, director, script writer, teacher, trainer, choreographer, sculptor, enterpreneur and more.

With a career spanning more than two decades, Lushin is well known for her work in theatre and films nationally and internationally.

The first high in this series of her illustrious work was the prestigious Edinburgh Fringe First for ‘Othello in Black and White’, which she co - produced and played the lead role of Desdemona and second being the Gemini Award for Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Supporting Role in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series in 2006 for her movie Murder unveiled in Toronto, Canada.

LOOKING BACK

While the hardwork has been hers, according to Lushin, it is her upbringing which has helped in shaping her personality and enabling her to become the person she is today.

Be it the freedom of expression, being independent, creative, mutitalented, the values were instilled while growing up. “My father was a self made man. Having lost his father at a very young age, he was brought up in a very disciplined and tough environment and exceled in everything,” she says. Her father was in the Indian Railways and mother was a doctor. “Besides, being a civil servant he was also a self taught phycist, musician and a singer,” she adds.

According to her, inspite of having a very comfortable upbringing, they were kept very grounded and always encouraged to excel academically and in extra curricular activities. They were also encouraged to earn their own pocket money and biked to school. While her father instilled in her the passion to learn, excel and create, her mother contributed in her compassion and spiritual side.

THE GENESIS

The seed of theatre was sown in Lushin when she was in class 4 and participated in an international theatre festival in her school (St. Mary’s, Pune) and won the first prize. After shifting to Delhi from Pune, she started actively taking part in school plays and accompanying her elder sister (Lilette Dubey) to the Barry John’s group (TAG). “Even though I was the youngest, I was welcomed with open arms and given side roles, which gave me the confidence,” she says. Later in college she got to do more serious roles.

Having completed her Masters in History from (Lady Shri Ram College) Delhi University, Lushin got married and moved to US with her husband. Getting married early and becoming a mother by 24, Lushin wanted to do something more with her life. She decided to pursue her Masters of Science in Education (with emphasis on special education), from the University of Southern Connecticut, USA.

It was a tough phase of studying, travelling and taking care of the family. But, the drive to get ahead and concentrating on her goals, helped tide the rough edges. “Today, I cherish those moments, as they helped me define who I am,” she says. Later, she also taught in the US and then at the American Embassy School, New Delhi, for several years in the Special Education department.

After completing her studies, Lushin travelled with her husband to Europe for five years and later decided to shift the base to India. ‘Family came first’ and this what has led Lushin make a base in Delhi, while her husband travelled. Her husband, Dr. Pradeep Dubey is a leading Professor in Applied Mathematics at Yale and Stonybrook, New York and Lushin still divides her time between US and India.

Being in a long distance realtionship is not easy and continuing the same for more than two decades is quite tough.

Acoording to her, she feels blesssed to have such a undestanding husband who has always encouraged her to spread her wings. “He is truly the wind beneath my wings,” she says lovingly.

In 1989, Lushin along with her cousin Bubbles Sabharwal set up Kidsworld and has directed more than 100 of productions under this umbrella. Later, she set up Theatreworld working on more of original productions on contemporary issues (with three powerful solos – Untitled, Bitter Chocolate and I Will Not Cry fetching her great accolades. Going solo was a big decision, but she wanted to expand her horizon and push her boundaries. In ‘Untitled’ her first solo show, (centers around women empowerment and abuse) Lushin played 12 characters with puppets while Bitter Chocolate depicts child abuse. I Will Not Cry highlights the issue of child survival through satire, reality and music excerpts. It brings alive the sad truth of millions of unnecessary deaths of children in India. In 1995 she set up, ‘United Players Guild’, a group dedicated to staging Shakespearean productions… with a difference. Another passion, often given expression to in her productions, is painting and sculpting.

Unlike her elder sister, Lilette, Lushin hasn’t been very visible in the mainstream cinema. “Considering my base in Delhi and second home being US, I have to travel a lot for personal and professional reasons,” she says.

That said, the recent years have seen her doing more films in Bollywood like Delhi Belly, Rangrez, Hawaizyada (yet to be released).

LUSHIN AS AN ACTOR

Out of the acting, writing and directing, it’s the acting which is closest to her heart. According to her, Acting is all about selfmagnifying your internal feelings on the stage or screen.

Being a sensitive person, Lushin has always been a keen observer and a great listener which has helped her in her personal and professional like.

On the spiritual side, 10 years back, Lushin embraced Buddhism and believes in Buddha’s philosophy of compassion. A very defining force in her career, she believes that it really helps in reducing the intensity of disappointment, negativity and highlights positivity and gives you a high of euphoria, which itself is an amazing experience.

When asked about her elder more famour sister Lilette Dubey, Lushin gushes that they are very close and share a beautiful bond With so much going on Lushin’s life, be it theatre, films, scripting, direction, travelling abroad for her shows, Lushin does not want to change a single thing. “I feel blessed to be given this opportunity to learn and express my emotions both to the national and international audience.