Enacting her dreams

You might have seen her playing various characters in different acts, but while talking to the Indian Weekender, Rupal Solanki raises the curtain and talks about her life beyond theatre.

Swati: People know Rupal Solanki, the actor. Who is Rupal in real life?

Rupal: I am a person who loves to work for the community. I spend most of my time doing voluntary work and love to help others. I am Christ believer and a Bible teacher. I teach Bible at Hillsborough Primary School once a week and also work as a teacher aid. I work with the Glen Innes police as Victim Support Worker as well.

I do theatre, which requires a lot of time and dedication. We dedicate our entire weekend towards it, and as we get closer to the show, we spend every evening rehearsing. A single play takes around six to nine months of preparation.

Swati: So what do you do for a living?

Rupal: I am a full-time mother and a homemaker and proud to be one. I worked as an RJ for Humm Fm for one year and as a co-artist for the popular show called Gujarati Rangthadi. I have been doing voice-overs for them, recording jingles for advertisements and more. But I have done all these works voluntarily. I haven’t worked to make money since I have been in New Zealand.

I am currently working for a church and getting into a bit of event management and planning.

Swati: How and when did you come to New Zealand?

Rupal: My arranged marriage brought me here. I didn’t see my husband till my wedding. My husband’s parents chose me to be his wife. My husband was already living in New Zealand and that’s how I came here in 2004. Now I am a mother of a 6-year-old and recently celebrated 10 years of marriage as well as living in New Zealand.

Swati: When did you start acting professionally?

Rupal: More than a profession, it is a passion for me. When the word ‘profession’ comes in, it becomes more of a money matter. Fortunately, my husband shared the same passion. So we started working towards our common passion in 2010 with small skits for churches on Easter, Good Friday and Christmas, and we continue to do so. We write our own scripts and the two of us prepare for it.

Considering that we cannot pay people, we do not expect the same kind of commitment from others. Different churches call us during Easter or Christmas to perform small acts and skits.

Till now, in New Zealand, I have performed in around 10 full-length plays, including the recent two from Rangmanch Theatre Festival. I have also been a part of around 15 small skits and plays.

Swati: You are now contesting for Mrs Indian New Zealand. What inspired you for that?

Rupal: I actually saw the advertisement on Facebook and spoke to my husband about it. We both thought that this contest is about celebrating women hood. We both at the same time asked why I should not be a part of it? Many think that a ‘Mrs’ title puts a full stop in a woman’s life. This platform proves the fact that becoming a wife is rather a beginning of a whole new life. I am proud of everything I have got after being a wife and a mother, be it the stretch marks or pigmentation post pregnancy. They only make me look beautiful as a woman.

Swati: How are you preparing for the contest?

Rupal: Honestly, I am not doing any preparation. I need to prepare when I am acting in plays, but here, I just have to be myself.

Swati: What are the things or qualities that you think can help you win the contest?

Rupal: Everyone likes to win. Even when you win a dollar in lotto, you feel happy. If I win it would leave me ecstatic. In some ways, I think I am already a winner after fighting through the obstacles in my life and reaching where I am today.

I don’t think I am any different from others. Everyone faces obstacles in their lives. What I think makes me different from others is that I like being myself and also doing voluntary community service, especially as a victim support worker. It’s not easy to go a stranger’s house, knock on their door and say I am here to help you.

Swati: Where do you see yourself in next five years from now?

Rupal: I want to dedicate more time for community work. I enjoy meeting new and different people.
I would love to open an NGO may be, considering the type of issues I see. I would definitely want to open an NGO for victims of crimes. I feel very blessed to help them. My husband says that even when I come back home, my heart still remains with those who are suffering.

I also want to open a drama school for our community, since many people these days are interested in acting.