Noted Actresses Ms. Rohini Hattangadi and Ms. Mita Vashisht Join to Uplift the Festive Spirit
The Mumbai chapter of the 25th Bharat Rang Mahotsav (BRM) 2026, organised by the National School of Drama (NSD), was inaugurated by Maharashtra Minister for Cultural Affairs Shri Ashish Shelar at Ravindra Natya Mandir, Dr.P.L. Deshpande Maharashtra Kala Academy, Mumbai.
On the occasion, NSD honoured Prof. Ram Gopal Bajaj, former Director, NSD, and noted filmmaker and cinematographer Shri Govind Nihalani, both Padma Shri awardees, for their contributions to Indian art and culture. The five-day Mumbai edition features six plays in Indian and foreign languages and is being organised by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Dr.P.L. Deshpande Maharashtra Kala Academy.
The inaugural event was attended by theatre artists and citizens of Mumbai, including veteran actor and NSD alumna Ms. Rohini Hattangadi; actor and BRM 2026 Festival Ambassador Ms. Mita Vashisht; Director, Maharashtra Kala Academy Ms. Meenal Joglekar; and Joint Director, Department of Cultural Affairs Shri Sriram Pandey.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Ashish Shelar said that hosting Bharat Rang Mahotsav strengthens Maharashtra’s legacy as a centre of India’s artistic heritage and reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting and empowering artists.
The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks by Shri Pradeep K. Mohanty, Registrar, NSD, followed by the staging of Tamas, directed by Shri Chittaranjan Tripathy. The play, a dramatic adaptation of Bhisham Sahni’s seminal work, provided a powerful opening to the festival with its evocative storytelling and emotional depth.
The Mumbai chapter will conclude on 13 February with Aadhe Adhure by Mohan Rakesh, directed by Tripurari Sharma and performed by the NSD Repertory Company.
Bharat Rang Mahotsav, the world’s largest international theatre festival, is being held from 27 January to 20 February 2026 across multiple cities, showcasing productions from India and abroad and celebrating the diversity and inclusivity of Indian theatre.
