Mumbai’s cultural scene is hitting a high-octane peak this weekend as Aadyam Theatre, the Aditya Birla Group’s pioneering stage initiative, returns for its eighth season with a massive genre-bending experiment. For the first time, the initiative is venturing into the world of supernatural thrillers with ‘Ankahi,’ a move that has already sparked a rapturous response from the city’s theatre-goers. The announcement of this never-attempted-before genre has triggered immediate excitement, proving that local audiences are ready for bold and unconventional narratives.
Driven by this unprecedented buzz, the organizers have taken the rare step of announcing the Mumbai dates even before the play’s official Delhi premiere—a clear sign of the city’s appetite for adventurous storytelling. If you’re looking to experience the chills firsthand, the Mumbai run kicks off this weekend, April 18th and 19th, at the Jamshed Bhabha Theatre (NCPA). For those who miss the opening weekend, a second leg is scheduled for May 2nd and 3rd at the Bal Gandharva Rang Mandir in Bandra.
Building on its reputation for turning classic literature into immersive stage experiences, Ankahi is a Hindi adaptation of Susan Hill’s world-renowned ghost story, The Woman In Black. While the original English stage version stands as one of the longest-running icons of London’s West End, this production brings the terror closer to home.
The story follows Sandeepan Chauhan, a middle-aged lawyer burdened by a haunting secret from his past. In a desperate bid for closure, he enlists a skeptical young actor to help him “perform” his trauma—recounting a legal assignment to settle the estate of the late Fatima Illyas. As they rehearse, a chilling truth begins to surface from the misty marshes of West Bengal, blurring the lines between a simple stage play and a very real, ancient nightmare.
As the mystery moves into the heart of the Sunderbans, the atmosphere shifts from uneasy to predatory. The local villagers become increasingly evasive, and the marshes themselves seem to echo with buried secrets. At the center of this chilling landscape is the “Hunkaarni,” a phantom figure whose legendary curse leaves a permanent shadow on anyone unfortunate enough to encounter her.
This story within a story blurs the boundaries between reality and performance, between confession and consequence. As Sandeepan bares his unsettling secret, the actor unknowingly gets entangled in a web of truth, fiction, and revelation. The play poses a question for the audience: Does revealing our darkest secrets guide us towards light, or does it pull us further into darker trenches?
Ankahi’s world is mounted by director Vikranth Pawar, making this his first play for Aadyam Theatre. The director has been instrumental in bringing Broadway-style musicals to India for the first time with Beauty And The Beast. Vikranth’s experience in mounting riveting stories helped bring a rare sonic and visual ambition to Ankahi. The meticulously developed set and sound design create a world that the audience doesn’t just experience; they immerse themselves in it.
Talking about his experience, Vikranth Pawar said:
“Ankahi marks my first play with Aadyam Theatre, and the experience has been nothing short of exciting. My decision to adapt this classic horror story for the Indian stage was purely based on my conviction that the Indian audience has been waiting for a supernatural thriller to unfold on a live stage. The play packs some real scares and pulls you into pure drama and thrill for 90 minutes. It is a story that stays with you even when the lights turn back on.”
The play’s cast includes two powerhouse performers – Gopal Datt (Tere Naam, Delhi Crime, Bunty Aur Babli 2) as Sandeepan Chauhan, and Rohit Chaudhary (Bareilly ki Barfi, Jabariya Jodi, The Forgotten Army) as the young actor.
With Ankahi, Aadyam Theatre ushers in a new era of storytelling. The initiative is attempting to replicate the jump scares and the rousing experience of a supernatural thriller in real-time. For ten years, the initiative has been pushing the envelope when it comes to theatre, staging real voices, and bringing relevant stories. The response towards the announcement of the first play sets the tone for the upcoming plays, celebrating the vigour and authentic storytelling that Aadyam Theatre has been relentlessly staging for Indian audiences.
With limited shows at the NCPA and Bal Gandharva Rang Mandir, ‘Ankahi’ is the city’s must-watch cultural event this April. Head over to BookMyShow to ensure you don’t miss the chance to experience the legend of the ‘Hunkaarni’ in person—if you’re brave enough.
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