06 March,2021 06:49 AM IST | Mumbai | Vinod Kumar Menon
Rambo circus staff perform during their show in Oshiwara. Pic/Pradeep Dhivar
Rambo circus, which once used to have houseful shows, is struggling to survive amid the COVID pandemic, with earnings having tricked down to R15,000-R20,000 per show, with hardly a few visitors. During the weekdays, they are performing for an audience of just one or two. Added to this is the recent increase in the cost of diesel, cooking gas and power, giving the proprietor a tough time.
With his entire family infected by COVID a few months ago, the proprietor was unable to pay the staff regularly. A Russian company that was to invest in special shows stepped back amid the pandemic.
The circus has been operating in Oshiwara, Andheri for three weeks. "We have reduced our seating capacity from 1,800 to 300 amid COVID. Shows have been reduced to two during weekdays and three over weekends. But the audience numbers have not crossed 60. On Day 1 of our show in Oshiwara, we were in tears as only two people were present. The team performed the entire show of two hours," said Sujit Dilip, proprietor of the circus who is shuttling between Pune, where his parents are, and Mumbai. "The show must go on. The entire troupe (70 staffers and 17 dogs) will survive only if the show goes on. Hit hard by COVID, it will take us a long time to bounce back," Sujit said.
A major part of the daily expenses amount to R25,000 is used to get potable water, diesel for the generator, foodgrains, etc.
"When all income stopped, I sold my property in Pune to pay salaries, repay vendors and meet expenses. I have borrowed nearly R1 crore to meet expenses," Sujit said.
Mustaq Qureshi alias Munna bhai from Pune resumed selling packed snacks and cold drinks inside Rambo circus. "I used to supply meat for wild animals in the circus. After their use was banned, I started a canteen. With COVID, that too ended. The low number of visitors has compelled me to buy snacks from outside and sell them inside. Despite taking precautions and maintaining hygiene, people are reluctant to eat at the circus. I cannot even think of setting up my own kitchen fearing the losses," Qureshi said.
COVID restrictions mean attendees cannot take selfies with the senior-most clown of the circus, Biju Pushkaran, 51, who joined the circus 25 years ago. He hails Attingal in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala.
"It hurts me that today there are no people in the audience. I cannot even take selfies with those who come," said Biju. He added, "Our owner is in a crisis and we aren't getting paid either. My two children live with my in-laws. I haven't met them in two years. I could not even buy them a laptop for their online class." "It is only because of our dedication and hard work that even during the lockdown, we continued daily practice and physical exercises that kept our immunity high. Not a single employee got COVID-19," Biju said.
Sisters Roshni and Geeta from Assam perform gymnastic stunts. While Roshni married a colleague from the circus, Geeta lives with her one child in the circus camp, while the other child lives with her husband in Kolkata. They said, "We have been practising daily, but unfortunately when we come on stage to perform, seeing just a few people in the audience, we get upset. Our children are small and haven't started going to school yet but we want them to get a good education."
Sujit has written to the Prime Minister and Finance Minister seeking their intervention for a loan from any nationalised or private bank, since they do not provide loans to circuses, but has not received any response so far.
Rambo circus was founded on January 26, 1991, with the merging of Arena Circus, Victoria Circus and Great Oriental Circus. Rambo Circus has performed internationally, especially in the Gulf.
