Pankaj Tripathi, wife Mridula’s maiden theatre production ‘Lailaaj’ selected for 25th Bharat Rang Mahotsav in Delhi

Pankaj Tripathi with wife and daughter

• Pankaj Tripathi's play Lailaaj selected for Bharat Rang Mahotsav festival
• Lailaaj marks Tripathi's stage return and daughter Aashi's debut
• Roopkatha Rangmanch's maiden production to be showcased at NSD's iconic event

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National award winner Pankaj Tripathi and his wife Mridula’s maiden theatre production Lailaaj, a musical comedy play under their banner Roopkatha Rangmanch, has been officially selected to be showcased at Bharat Rang Mahotsav.

It is India’s largest and most prestigious theatre festival, hosted by the National School of Drama (NSD), Delhi.

Now in its landmark 25th year, the iconic festival is going to be held across January and February, beginning in the last week of January, bringing together celebrated theatre productions from across India and the world.

Written and directed by Faiz Mohammed Khan, Lailaaj holds special significance for the Tripathi family as it also marks Pankaj Tripathi’s return to the stage after over a decade.

The play also marks the stage debut of his daughter Aashi.

The selection of Lailaaj at Bharat Rang Mahotsav marks a major milestone for Roopkatha Rangmanch, as it is the first time their maiden production is being showcased at a theatre festival of such national and international stature.

Expressing his emotions about Lailaaj being part of Bharat Rang Mahotsav, Pankaj Tripathi shared: “Bharat Rang Mahotsav holds a very special place in the world of Indian theatre, and to have Lailaaj selected for its 25th edition is truly humbling. Theatre is where my roots lie, and NSD has always represented discipline, honesty, and deep respect for the craft. To bring our very first production under Roopkatha Rangmanch to a platform like this feels like a full-circle moment. Lailaaj is a simple, musical, and heartfelt story, but behind it is the hard work of many people who believe in theatre as a living, breathing art form. Sharing this stage with my daughter Aashi adds an emotional layer that I will always cherish. I see this not just as a performance, but as an offering to the theatre community that shaped me.”

Mridula Tripathi, co-producer of the play, also shared her thoughts on the achievement, “When we started Roopkatha Rangmanch, the intention was never to chase scale or recognition, but to tell stories with sincerity and warmth. Watching it travel to a platform like NSD, where some of the finest theatre work is celebrated, makes the journey even more meaningful. Seeing Aashi on stage is very emotional for us as parents."