Peechha Karti Parchhaiyaan headlined by the renowned theatre and film personality Ila Arun, KK Raina, and actors Param Singh, Priyamvada Kant, and Vijay Kashyap will be released this August. The multi-starrer play is an intergenerational drama which was first performed in 2016.&nbsp;

Adapted by Ila Arun from Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen's classic play Ghosts, it is directed for the stage by director KK Raina and helmed by filming director Saurabh Shrivastava for television. &nbsp;

It’s coming to the silver screens after having been staged in more than 50+ shows across India with great success in sold-out shows.&nbsp;

<h2>What is Ghosts about?&nbsp;</h2>

Published in 1881, Ghosts critiqued outmoded social mores, and Peechha Karti Parchhaiyaan reflects similar themes. KK Raina plays the role of a stern Purohit while Ila essays the matriarch, Yashodhara Baisaheb. Actor Param Singh portrays Yuvraj, the conflicted scion of the Rajput family. The play brings forth the emotional and psychological toll of maintaining facades, showing that the price of duty can be devastatingly high. As the narrative unfolds, the audience will witness the heartbreaking consequences of Rani Yashodhara’s sacrifices and the tragic inevitability of her son’s fate. &nbsp;

<h2>Ila Arun on&nbsp;Peechha Karti Parchhaiyaan</h2>

Commenting on the teleplay, Ila Arun says, "The play talks about a story of a woman who has been haunted all her life by the shadow of traditions, rituals, and entrenched thought patterns. That’s the reality of our society shown in this play, no matter how modern she may be, a woman is still expected to remain bound to societal norms.”&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Director-actor KK Raina, who was drawn to the intergenerational&nbsp;story because of its eternal relevance, says, "Ila Arun always brings immense creative synergy to a project, and it is not often that one gets to direct a play with so many layers. This was a very special project because it spoke about so many issues, including the toxicity of patriarchy, the suppression of women, the impact of the past on the present, and the traumas that the young inherit in dysfunctional family structures.”&nbsp;

Watch Anoushka Shankar Interview here:

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Set against the feudal backdrop of Rajasthan, the story is woven around the family of the late Maharaja Kunwar Viraj Bhanu Pratap Singh. His widow, Rani Yashodhara Baisaheb, carries the heavy burden of his misdeeds, concealing painful secrets to protect her son from the dark truths that could shatter their world. Her love for her son is profound and unwavering but this relationship, central to the narrative, begins to crumble under the weight of the toxic secrets. Their bond rooted in love is haunted by the past, highlighting the duality of protection and destruction inherent in family dynamics.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-rajpal-yadav-bank-fraud-bank-seals-property-as-actor-fails-to-repay-rs-11-crore-750292">Rajpal Yadav bank fraud: Bank seals property as actor fails to repay Rs 11 crore</a>

The music is by Sanjoy Dazz and Ambar Das. Sound and lighting is by Salim Akhtar.&nbsp;

Peechha Karti Parchhaiyaan will air on&nbsp;August 25&nbsp;at 2:00 pm and&nbsp;8:00 pm on Tata Play Theatre.

Peechha Karti Parchhaiyaan headlined by the renowned theatre and film personality Ila Arun, KK Raina, and actors Param Singh, Priyamvada Kant, and Vijay Kashyap will be released this August.

Peechha Karti Parchhaiyaan headlined by the renowned theatre and film personality Ila Arun, KK Raina, and actors Param Singh, Priyamvada Kant, and Vijay Kashyap will be released this August. The multi-starrer play is an intergenerational drama which was first performed in 2016. Adapted by Ila Arun from Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen's classic play Ghosts, it is directed for the stage by director KK Raina and helmed by filming director Saurabh Shrivastava for television. It’s coming to the silver screens after having been staged in more than 50+ shows across India with great success in sold-out shows. What is Ghosts about? Published in 1881, Ghosts critiqued outmoded social mores, and Peechha Karti Parchhaiyaan reflects similar themes. KK Raina plays the role of a stern Purohit while Ila essays the matriarch, Yashodhara Baisaheb. Actor Param Singh portrays Yuvraj, the conflicted scion of the Rajput family. The play brings forth the emotional and psychological toll of maintaining facades, showing that the price of duty can be devastatingly high. As the narrative unfolds, the audience will witness the heartbreaking consequences of Rani Yashodhara’s sacrifices and the tragic inevitability of her son’s fate. Ila Arun on Peechha Karti Parchhaiyaan Commenting on the teleplay, Ila Arun says, "The play talks about a story of a woman who has been haunted all her life by the shadow of traditions, rituals, and entrenched thought patterns. That’s the reality of our society shown in this play, no matter how modern she may be, a woman is still expected to remain bound to societal norms.” Director-actor KK Raina, who was drawn to the intergenerational story because of its eternal relevance, says, "Ila Arun always brings immense creative synergy to a project, and it is not often that one gets to direct a play with so many layers. This was a very special project because it spoke about so many issues, including the toxicity of patriarchy, the suppression of women, the impact of the past on the present, and the traumas that the young inherit in dysfunctional family structures.” Watch Anoushka Shankar Interview here: Set against the feudal backdrop of Rajasthan, the story is woven around the family of the late Maharaja Kunwar Viraj Bhanu Pratap Singh. His widow, Rani Yashodhara Baisaheb, carries the heavy burden of his misdeeds, concealing painful secrets to protect her son from the dark truths that could shatter their world. Her love for her son is profound and unwavering but this relationship, central to the narrative, begins to crumble under the weight of the toxic secrets. Their bond rooted in love is haunted by the past, highlighting the duality of protection and destruction inherent in family dynamics. Also read: Rajpal Yadav bank fraud: Bank seals property as actor fails to repay Rs 11 crore The music is by Sanjoy Dazz and Ambar Das. Sound and lighting is by Salim Akhtar. Peechha Karti Parchhaiyaan will air on August 25 at 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm on Tata Play Theatre.

Zee Theatre’s Ila Arun and KK Raina's play Peechha Karti Parchhaiyaan to release on this date

Valentine's Day: Our top 5 pick of theatrical plays that explore varied shades of love

With teleplays increasingly carving a distinct niche for themselves in mainstream entertainment, theatre is seeing an unmistakable resurgence. Technology and digitisation are not only helping in archiving and preserving classic and contemporary plays but also facilitating audience expansion. Zee Theatre, which has been archiving, producing, and presenting the best of Indian theatre since 2018, will now harness the power of a major OTT platform like ZEE5 to stream some of its most popular teleplays for a global audience.

This September, it will bring a selection of acclaimed teleplays to ZEE5, promising a compelling viewing experience to even those who have never experienced a live play. 
&nbsp; 
Yeh Shaadi Nahi Ho Sakti

Shakespeare's timeless tales continue to captivate us, transcending generations through movies, stage productions, and teleplays. Akarsh Khurana's Yeh Shaadi Nahi Ho Sakti takes a delightful twist, infusing Shakespeare's comedy, The Taming of the Shrew, with a nostalgic 90s flavour. Starring Prajakta Koli, Shikha Talsania, Chaitanya Sharma, and Adhaar Khurana, the teleplay spins the humorous saga of Lakshman, who can't marry his beloved Priya until her headstrong sister, Pallavi, finds a husband. Lakshman concocts clever schemes, but a surprise twist awaits when his father discovers the plot.

Brimming with situational comedy, Yeh Shaadi Nahi Ho Sakti&nbsp;will grace your screens on ZEE5 from September 1, 2023.&nbsp;

Ladies Sangeet

Playwright Purva Naresh's Ladies Sangeet&nbsp;is a modern masterpiece that delves into intricate themes—marriage's relevance, the evolution of human relationships, traditional vs. modern dynamics, and gender stereotypes—all set against the backdrop of an extravagant wedding. The story follows bride-to-be Radha, contemplating her marriage to Siddharth in her ancestral home. While her family dreams of a Bollywood-style spectacle, Radha questions the very institution of marriage. The teleplay also explores how parental influence can stifle individuality. Purva Naresh's signature use of music adds depth to the narrative.

Directed by Suman Mukhopadhyay and featuring Joy Sengupta, Nidhi Singh, Siddhant Karnick, Loveleen Mishra, Harsh Khurana, and Sarika Singh, Ladies Sangeet&nbsp;debuts on ZEE5 on September 1.

Yaar Julahay

Prepare for a literary odyssey like no other with this anthology of dramatic readings. Yaar Julahay&nbsp;showcases 12 classic stories by eminent subcontinental writers, including Gulzar, Amrita Pritam, Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi, and more. From Garrm Coat, Nazzarah Darmiyan Hai, Mughal Bachcha, Sunset Boulevard, Dus Paise to Apna Apna Karz, Shatranj ki Baazi, Mukarji Babu ki Diary, Yeh Pari Chehra Log, Jagga, Kaaga Tantra, Ghusal Khana and Cocoon,&nbsp;these evocative tales explore the rich tapestry of the human condition.

Directed by Kanwal Khoosat and Sarmad Sultan Khoosat, this anthology boasts a star-studded cast, including Mahira Khan, Nimra Bucha, Farhat Gillani, Irfan Khoosat, Sarmad Sultan Khoosat, Samiya Mumtaz, Faysal Qureshi, Yasra Rizvi and Sania Saeed. On September 1, 2023, immerse yourself in the world of Yaar Julahay&nbsp;on ZEE5.&nbsp;

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With teleplays increasingly carving a distinct niche for themselves in mainstream entertainment, theatre is seeing an unmistakable resurgence. Technology and digitisation are not only helping in archiving and preserving classic and contemporary plays but also facilitating audience expansion.

With teleplays increasingly carving a distinct niche for themselves in mainstream entertainment, theatre is seeing an unmistakable resurgence. Technology and digitisation are not only helping in archiving and preserving classic and contemporary plays but also facilitating audience expansion. Zee Theatre, which has been archiving, producing, and presenting the best of Indian theatre since 2018, will now harness the power of a major OTT platform like ZEE5 to stream some of its most popular teleplays for a global audience. This September, it will bring a selection of acclaimed teleplays to ZEE5, promising a compelling viewing experience to even those who have never experienced a live play. Yeh Shaadi Nahi Ho Sakti Shakespeare's timeless tales continue to captivate us, transcending generations through movies, stage productions, and teleplays. Akarsh Khurana's Yeh Shaadi Nahi Ho Sakti takes a delightful twist, infusing Shakespeare's comedy, The Taming of the Shrew, with a nostalgic 90s flavour. Starring Prajakta Koli, Shikha Talsania, Chaitanya Sharma, and Adhaar Khurana, the teleplay spins the humorous saga of Lakshman, who can't marry his beloved Priya until her headstrong sister, Pallavi, finds a husband. Lakshman concocts clever schemes, but a surprise twist awaits when his father discovers the plot. Brimming with situational comedy, Yeh Shaadi Nahi Ho Sakti will grace your screens on ZEE5 from September 1, 2023. Ladies Sangeet Playwright Purva Naresh's Ladies Sangeet is a modern masterpiece that delves into intricate themes—marriage's relevance, the evolution of human relationships, traditional vs. modern dynamics, and gender stereotypes—all set against the backdrop of an extravagant wedding. The story follows bride-to-be Radha, contemplating her marriage to Siddharth in her ancestral home. While her family dreams of a Bollywood-style spectacle, Radha questions the very institution of marriage. The teleplay also explores how parental influence can stifle individuality. Purva Naresh's signature use of music adds depth to the narrative. Directed by Suman Mukhopadhyay and featuring Joy Sengupta, Nidhi Singh, Siddhant Karnick, Loveleen Mishra, Harsh Khurana, and Sarika Singh, Ladies Sangeet debuts on ZEE5 on September 1. Yaar Julahay Prepare for a literary odyssey like no other with this anthology of dramatic readings. Yaar Julahay showcases 12 classic stories by eminent subcontinental writers, including Gulzar, Amrita Pritam, Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi, and more. From Garrm Coat, Nazzarah Darmiyan Hai, Mughal Bachcha, Sunset Boulevard, Dus Paise to Apna Apna Karz, Shatranj ki Baazi, Mukarji Babu ki Diary, Yeh Pari Chehra Log, Jagga, Kaaga Tantra, Ghusal Khana and Cocoon, these evocative tales explore the rich tapestry of the human condition. Directed by Kanwal Khoosat and Sarmad Sultan Khoosat, this anthology boasts a star-studded cast, including Mahira Khan, Nimra Bucha, Farhat Gillani, Irfan Khoosat, Sarmad Sultan Khoosat, Samiya Mumtaz, Faysal Qureshi, Yasra Rizvi and Sania Saeed. On September 1, 2023, immerse yourself in the world of Yaar Julahay on ZEE5. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Get ready for theatrical brilliance with Zee Theatre's teleplays on ZEE5 this month

South-India has a rich theatrical legacy. Among Karnataka's many stalwarts was Girish Karnad who wrote his first play Yayati&nbsp;in Kannada in 1961. B. V. Karanth, the iconic director of the National School of Drama, set up Benaka, one of Bengaluru's oldest theatre groups. Be it folk stories, social plays, experimental narratives or street performances, Telugu theatre too has always been diverse, responsive to the times it is created in and also rooted in tradition.

In cognisance of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana's deep interest in literature, performing arts, and social issues, Zee Theatre now brings its rich repertoire of socially relevant themes to the Kannada and Telugu-speaking audience. Be it stories rich with emotion, historic narratives, suspense thrillers, legal dramas or socially relevant themes, audiences will be now able to see these teleplays (plays recorded for television) in Kannada and Telugu.

These teleplays address issues like gender violence, class struggle, patriarchy, and colourism and depict the stark contrast between the privileged and the marginalised.

Gunehgaar&nbsp;is about the fault lines in the justice system while Gudiya Ki Shaadi, Maa Retire Hoti Hai,&nbsp;Purush, and Ok Tata Bye Bye&nbsp;reveal different shades of patriarchy. 
 
Agnipankh&nbsp;explores feudalism while Sir Sir Sarla&nbsp;is about the social restrictions placed upon love. Rishton Ka Live Telecast&nbsp;and Shyam Ki Mummy are relatable family dramas. Internal Affairs&nbsp;is about contemporary relationships while Wrong Turn&nbsp;portrays the cycle of cause and effect in human lives. Court Martial addresses casteism and Sach Kahoon Toh&nbsp;is an intriguing legal thriller.

In these thoughtfully curated and archived plays, audiences in Karnataka, Telangana &amp; Andhra Pradesh will also meet a wide range of relatable characters grappling with universal issues and conflicts.

Shailja Kejriwal, Chief Creative Officer - Special Projects, ZEE, says, "Theatre cannot be restricted to just one language. It is rooted in universal concerns and speaks to and for all human beings. This is one of the reasons why we have strategized to make our offerings accessible to culturally vibrant states like Karnataka, Telangana &amp; Andhra Pradesh. We are trying to ensure that no linguistic barrier can restrict the reach of powerful teleplays like Court Martial and Purush&nbsp;or even a social comedy like Gudiya’ Ki Shaadi&nbsp;which is an incisive comment on sexism and patriarchy.” &nbsp;&nbsp;

Even though the content will play in the original language, the subscribers have the power to switch from Hindi to the language (Kannada &amp; Telugu) through their remote (Dish TV &amp; D2h – Yellow Button; Airtel Digital TV &amp; Tata Play – Blue Button).

These plays will be aired every Sunday at 2 pm and 8 pm starting from July 2023 in a segment titled, 'South Special Theatre.' The plays will be available on Tata Play Theatre in Kannada and on Airtel Theatre &amp; Dish TV &amp; D2H Rangmanch Active in Kannada as well as Telugu.

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South-India has a rich theatrical legacy. Among Karnataka's many stalwarts was Girish Karnad who wrote his first play Yayati in Kannada in 1961. B. V. Karanth, the iconic director of the National School of Drama, set up Benaka, one of Bengaluru's oldest theatre groups.

South-India has a rich theatrical legacy. Among Karnataka's many stalwarts was Girish Karnad who wrote his first play Yayati in Kannada in 1961. B. V. Karanth, the iconic director of the National School of Drama, set up Benaka, one of Bengaluru's oldest theatre groups. Be it folk stories, social plays, experimental narratives or street performances, Telugu theatre too has always been diverse, responsive to the times it is created in and also rooted in tradition. In cognisance of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana's deep interest in literature, performing arts, and social issues, Zee Theatre now brings its rich repertoire of socially relevant themes to the Kannada and Telugu-speaking audience. Be it stories rich with emotion, historic narratives, suspense thrillers, legal dramas or socially relevant themes, audiences will be now able to see these teleplays (plays recorded for television) in Kannada and Telugu. These teleplays address issues like gender violence, class struggle, patriarchy, and colourism and depict the stark contrast between the privileged and the marginalised. Gunehgaar is about the fault lines in the justice system while Gudiya Ki Shaadi, Maa Retire Hoti Hai, Purush, and Ok Tata Bye Bye reveal different shades of patriarchy. Agnipankh explores feudalism while Sir Sir Sarla is about the social restrictions placed upon love. Rishton Ka Live Telecast and Shyam Ki Mummy are relatable family dramas. Internal Affairs is about contemporary relationships while Wrong Turn portrays the cycle of cause and effect in human lives. Court Martial addresses casteism and Sach Kahoon Toh is an intriguing legal thriller. In these thoughtfully curated and archived plays, audiences in Karnataka, Telangana & Andhra Pradesh will also meet a wide range of relatable characters grappling with universal issues and conflicts. Shailja Kejriwal, Chief Creative Officer - Special Projects, ZEE, says, "Theatre cannot be restricted to just one language. It is rooted in universal concerns and speaks to and for all human beings. This is one of the reasons why we have strategized to make our offerings accessible to culturally vibrant states like Karnataka, Telangana & Andhra Pradesh. We are trying to ensure that no linguistic barrier can restrict the reach of powerful teleplays like Court Martial and Purush or even a social comedy like Gudiya’ Ki Shaadi which is an incisive comment on sexism and patriarchy.” Even though the content will play in the original language, the subscribers have the power to switch from Hindi to the language (Kannada & Telugu) through their remote (Dish TV & D2h – Yellow Button; Airtel Digital TV & Tata Play – Blue Button). These plays will be aired every Sunday at 2 pm and 8 pm starting from July 2023 in a segment titled, 'South Special Theatre.' The plays will be available on Tata Play Theatre in Kannada and on Airtel Theatre & Dish TV & D2H Rangmanch Active in Kannada as well as Telugu. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Zee Theatre launches socially-relevant teleplays in Kannada and Telugu

Music is integral to every experience in India and be it cinema or musical theatre, songs are an essential part of the narrative. Through melodies and lyrics, actors can express a million emotions --&nbsp;joy, love, longing, loneliness, or a sense of community. There is always a song that perfectly articulates life in all its complexity. Actor, screenwriter, and lyricist Amitosh Nagpal who adapted Shakespeare's Twelfth Night&nbsp;to Piya Behrupiya, a joyful theatrical musical, agrees.

He says, "Musical stories continue to thrive because our emotions are deeply interlinked with music. This is why in films and in theatre, very often songs are woven into situations where a character itself is a singer and expresses emotions musically. We have also had films and plays where there is absolutely no justification for songs and yet they are sprinkled generously across the story. This is not to say that we don't enjoy them. Of course, we do!"

Amitosh however longs to see a fully-sung musical where even mundane situations and thoughts will be expressed through songs. He says, “I have always enjoyed transported musical plays and this is why writing Piya Behrupiya&nbsp;was such an interesting and fulfilling experience. The adage that the language of music is universal is really true because Piya Behrupiya&nbsp;interpreted a Shakespearean comedy in the ‘nautanki’ tradition and yet it was well-received wherever in the world it travelled."

The team performed the play at London’s hallowed Globe Theatre and Amitosh recalls, “To stand on the floor where the great William Shakespeare himself had performed was a great experience! The outpouring of love we received also made us realise that Indian musical theatre has come of age and has a global resonance today."

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Music is integral to every experience in India and be it cinema or musical theatre, songs are an essential part of the narrative. Through melodies and lyrics, actors can express a million emotions -- joy, love, longing, loneliness, or a sense of community.

Music is integral to every experience in India and be it cinema or musical theatre, songs are an essential part of the narrative. Through melodies and lyrics, actors can express a million emotions -- joy, love, longing, loneliness, or a sense of community. There is always a song that perfectly articulates life in all its complexity. Actor, screenwriter, and lyricist Amitosh Nagpal who adapted Shakespeare's Twelfth Night to Piya Behrupiya, a joyful theatrical musical, agrees. He says, "Musical stories continue to thrive because our emotions are deeply interlinked with music. This is why in films and in theatre, very often songs are woven into situations where a character itself is a singer and expresses emotions musically. We have also had films and plays where there is absolutely no justification for songs and yet they are sprinkled generously across the story. This is not to say that we don't enjoy them. Of course, we do!" Amitosh however longs to see a fully-sung musical where even mundane situations and thoughts will be expressed through songs. He says, “I have always enjoyed transported musical plays and this is why writing Piya Behrupiya was such an interesting and fulfilling experience. The adage that the language of music is universal is really true because Piya Behrupiya interpreted a Shakespearean comedy in the ‘nautanki’ tradition and yet it was well-received wherever in the world it travelled." The team performed the play at London’s hallowed Globe Theatre and Amitosh recalls, “To stand on the floor where the great William Shakespeare himself had performed was a great experience! The outpouring of love we received also made us realise that Indian musical theatre has come of age and has a global resonance today." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

On World Music Day, Zee Theatre's teleplay Piya Behrupya star discusses his passion for music

Right from his debut film Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa in 1998, Joy Sengupta has made an effort to work in stories that have a larger purpose. The actor who has worked with the Delhi-based theatre group Jana Natya Manch, and was also mentored by Ebrahim Alkazi is drawn to projects which explore complex gender and social issues. This is one of the reasons why Sengupta chose to work in Zee Theatre's Womanly Voices.

On his association, he said,&nbsp;"This anthology is a celebration of some of the finest women writers and offers an astonishing diversity of characters and perspectives. It also mirrors realities that we sometimes tend to overlook. Art, I believe, is mostly a reflection of what's happening around us, be it good, bad, or ugly. At times it can even become an intervention of ideas and can offer solutions. Art divorced from society can never be relevant."

Directed by Lillete Dubey, Womanly Voices&nbsp;comprises Wajeda Tabassum's Utran&nbsp;which probes class and gender politics, Mahasweta Devi's Shishu, an unsparing study of hunger and deprivation, and Gita Mehta's The Teacher's Story, which offers a heartbreaking insight into communal hatred. The anthology will be aired on 20&nbsp;April at Tata Play Theatre.

Sengupta who stars in The Teacher's Story&nbsp;said, "Though the anthology represents women's voices in Indian literature, they are about the human condition and universal issues. 'The Teacher's Story’ is very close to my heart because in theatre specifically, I tend to tilt towards themes and perspectives which represent my worldview to some extent. In that sense, theatre showcases my personal voice as an artist. This is a very powerful story about how hate destroys innocence, beauty, and everything of value."

As to why he believes art must be truthful, he said, "I follow a simple Gandhian philosophy in my life-- 'Truth is Truth, even if you are a Minority of One '. If you are not scared of the truth, you shouldn't be scared of speaking or portraying it either. I am also happy to work on a story that is written and directed by two very gifted women. Globally, women are using performing arts to discuss gender relations and feminine perspectives and perhaps theatre remains one medium which has largely embraced gender fluidity in creativity.”

The cast of Womanly Voices&nbsp;also includes Suchitra Pillai, Pranav Sachdev, Ira Dubey, Deepika Amin, and Adit Bhilare.

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Right from his debut film Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa in 1998, Joy Sengupta has made an effort to work in stories that have a larger purpose. The actor who has worked with the Delhi-based theatre group Jana Natya Manch, and was also mentored by Ebrahim Alkazi is drawn to projects which explore complex gender and social issues.

Right from his debut film Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa in 1998, Joy Sengupta has made an effort to work in stories that have a larger purpose. The actor who has worked with the Delhi-based theatre group Jana Natya Manch, and was also mentored by Ebrahim Alkazi is drawn to projects which explore complex gender and social issues. This is one of the reasons why Sengupta chose to work in Zee Theatre's Womanly Voices. On his association, he said, "This anthology is a celebration of some of the finest women writers and offers an astonishing diversity of characters and perspectives. It also mirrors realities that we sometimes tend to overlook. Art, I believe, is mostly a reflection of what's happening around us, be it good, bad, or ugly. At times it can even become an intervention of ideas and can offer solutions. Art divorced from society can never be relevant." Directed by Lillete Dubey, Womanly Voices comprises Wajeda Tabassum's Utran which probes class and gender politics, Mahasweta Devi's Shishu, an unsparing study of hunger and deprivation, and Gita Mehta's The Teacher's Story, which offers a heartbreaking insight into communal hatred. The anthology will be aired on 20 April at Tata Play Theatre. Sengupta who stars in The Teacher's Story said, "Though the anthology represents women's voices in Indian literature, they are about the human condition and universal issues. 'The Teacher's Story’ is very close to my heart because in theatre specifically, I tend to tilt towards themes and perspectives which represent my worldview to some extent. In that sense, theatre showcases my personal voice as an artist. This is a very powerful story about how hate destroys innocence, beauty, and everything of value." As to why he believes art must be truthful, he said, "I follow a simple Gandhian philosophy in my life-- 'Truth is Truth, even if you are a Minority of One '. If you are not scared of the truth, you shouldn't be scared of speaking or portraying it either. I am also happy to work on a story that is written and directed by two very gifted women. Globally, women are using performing arts to discuss gender relations and feminine perspectives and perhaps theatre remains one medium which has largely embraced gender fluidity in creativity.” The cast of Womanly Voices also includes Suchitra Pillai, Pranav Sachdev, Ira Dubey, Deepika Amin, and Adit Bhilare. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Art divorced from society, can never be relevant: Joy Sengupta

The most enduring stories are those that can be retold in every era because the human perspectives they embody remain relevant forever. They also provide an opportunity for retrospection on just how far society has travelled or changed with time.

Zee Theatre brings three such teleplays which have a historical perspective and a contemporary pertinence.

Kafan 
&nbsp; 
The dark satire penned by Munshi Premchand is a devastating portrayal of caste divides and the way poverty dehumanises human-beings. The play begins with the father-son duo, Ghisu and Madhav ignoring the cries of Budhiya, Madhav's wife who is in the throes of childbirth. When she dies unattended, the duo begin to worry about how they will cremate her as they have no money for her final rites or even to buy a 'Kafan' or a shroud. &nbsp;What happens next is even more shocking than Budhiya's tragic death.

The play, directed by Rasika Agashe stars Rajendra Gupta, Vikas Tripathi, and Pradeep Maurya. It can be watched on Airtel and Dish on February 22.

Baaki Itihaas 
&nbsp; 
This Bengali classic &nbsp;written by iconic playwright and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award recipient, Badal Sircar explores human existence through the conversations of a married couple, Sharad and Vasanti. The death by suicide of a 40-year-old acquaintance Sitanath triggers a discussion that leads the two to not just speculate about the possible reasons for his death but to analyse historial events, war and vast human tragedies. &nbsp;

Directed by Nikhil Mahajan, the play stars Anjum Sharma, Zakir Hussain, Amruta Khanvilkar, Girija Oak, and Ravi Khanvilkar. ‘Baaki Itihaas’ will be aired on Airtel and Dish on February 23.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Bhamashah 
&nbsp; 
Based on the life of one of the most prominent characters in Indian history, Bhamashah, this Vikram Nath Gupta directorial was written by the Hindi playwright, Dr Bipin Joshi. The play's protagonist is &nbsp;Bhamashah, the loyal aid and minister who had given his complete wealth to &nbsp;Maharana Pratap. The teleplay retells how his strategic brilliance won the day. The play also showcases the female perspective on war through the women of the Mewad kingdom.

Starring Daya Shankar Pandey, Manoj Shah, and Dharmendra Gohil, 'Bhamashah' will be aired on Airtel and Dish on February 24.

The most enduring stories are those that can be retold in every era because the human perspectives they embody remain relevant forever. They also provide an opportunity for retrospection on just how far society has travelled or changed with time.

The most enduring stories are those that can be retold in every era because the human perspectives they embody remain relevant forever. They also provide an opportunity for retrospection on just how far society has travelled or changed with time. Zee Theatre brings three such teleplays which have a historical perspective and a contemporary pertinence. Kafan The dark satire penned by Munshi Premchand is a devastating portrayal of caste divides and the way poverty dehumanises human-beings. The play begins with the father-son duo, Ghisu and Madhav ignoring the cries of Budhiya, Madhav's wife who is in the throes of childbirth. When she dies unattended, the duo begin to worry about how they will cremate her as they have no money for her final rites or even to buy a 'Kafan' or a shroud. What happens next is even more shocking than Budhiya's tragic death. The play, directed by Rasika Agashe stars Rajendra Gupta, Vikas Tripathi, and Pradeep Maurya. It can be watched on Airtel and Dish on February 22. Baaki Itihaas This Bengali classic written by iconic playwright and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award recipient, Badal Sircar explores human existence through the conversations of a married couple, Sharad and Vasanti. The death by suicide of a 40-year-old acquaintance Sitanath triggers a discussion that leads the two to not just speculate about the possible reasons for his death but to analyse historial events, war and vast human tragedies. Directed by Nikhil Mahajan, the play stars Anjum Sharma, Zakir Hussain, Amruta Khanvilkar, Girija Oak, and Ravi Khanvilkar. ‘Baaki Itihaas’ will be aired on Airtel and Dish on February 23. Bhamashah Based on the life of one of the most prominent characters in Indian history, Bhamashah, this Vikram Nath Gupta directorial was written by the Hindi playwright, Dr Bipin Joshi. The play's protagonist is Bhamashah, the loyal aid and minister who had given his complete wealth to Maharana Pratap. The teleplay retells how his strategic brilliance won the day. The play also showcases the female perspective on war through the women of the Mewad kingdom. Starring Daya Shankar Pandey, Manoj Shah, and Dharmendra Gohil, 'Bhamashah' will be aired on Airtel and Dish on February 24.

Zee Theatre presents historical classics that remain timeless till date

With a promise to present 'Har Din Naya Drama'&nbsp;to the television audience, Zee Theatre has announced 'Yeh Shaadi Nahi Ho Sakti,'&nbsp;an adaptation of William Shakespeare's famous comedy 'Taming of the Shrew.' 
 
Drenched in 90s nostalgia, this visual feast is directed by cinema and theatre veteran Akarsh Khurana and stars Prajakta Koli in her teleplay debut along with Shikha Talsania, Chaitnya Sharma, and Adhaar Khurana. The central conflict of the plot is that lovebirds Lakshman (Chaitnya Sharma) and Priya (Prajakta Koli) cannot marry each other until the latter's elder sister Pallavi (Shikha Talsania) gets married. Lakshman then devises a hilarious plan and tries to get Pallavi hitched to an eligible NRI groom (Adhaar Khurana). What follows is absolute mayhem, endless fun, and impossible wedding moments.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/boycotting-no-more-rihanna-ready-for-super-bowl-stage-560507">Boycotting no more, Rihanna ready for Super Bowl stage</a>

Talking about the rollicking entertainer that will be premiered on February 19th at Tata Play Theatre, director Akarsh Khurana says, "Some stories are just an absolute joy to tell, and 'Yeh Shaadi Nahi Ho Sakti' was one such project from the very beginning. The cast and crew and I absolutely loved blending the colourful quirks of the 1990s with the comedic genius of Shakespeare, both of which I grew up loving. Adhir Bhat's script, Lisha Bajaj's hilarious one-liners, and the actors' energy brought the house down every time we rehearsed. I have no doubt that the audience will enjoy this story immensely."

Sharing her experience, actress Prajakta Koli adds, "I have done theatre before, and working with Akarsh has always been a treat. He is like a mentor and guide to so many young actors, and I always go to him to have heart-to-heart conversations. Even though he is a prankster, he always draws the best out of actors, and I trusted him completely to guide me through my first teleplay and had an absolutely wonderful time on the sets. The joy we experienced during the shoot is palpable in the final cut. The audience will appreciate how "extra" and full of fun this teleplay is!"

Actress Shikha Talsania, who plays Pallavi in the teleplay, says, "Shakespeare + the 90s + Akarsh + collaborating once again with dear friends = Yeh Shaadi Nahi Ho Sakti." "I had a great time playing Pallavi; I took inspiration from all the actors of the nineties that I’ve adored and brought a whole lot of my own madness to it."

Witness this impossible wedding drama, 'Yeh Shaadi Nahi Ho Sakti,'&nbsp;at Tata Play Theatre on February 19th at 2 pm and 8 pm!

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&nbsp;

With a promise to present 'Har Din Naya Drama' to the television audience, Zee Theatre has announced 'Yeh Shaadi Nahi Ho Sakti,' an adaptation of William Shakespeare's famous comedy 'Taming of the Shrew.

With a promise to present 'Har Din Naya Drama' to the television audience, Zee Theatre has announced 'Yeh Shaadi Nahi Ho Sakti,' an adaptation of William Shakespeare's famous comedy 'Taming of the Shrew.' Drenched in 90s nostalgia, this visual feast is directed by cinema and theatre veteran Akarsh Khurana and stars Prajakta Koli in her teleplay debut along with Shikha Talsania, Chaitnya Sharma, and Adhaar Khurana. The central conflict of the plot is that lovebirds Lakshman (Chaitnya Sharma) and Priya (Prajakta Koli) cannot marry each other until the latter's elder sister Pallavi (Shikha Talsania) gets married. Lakshman then devises a hilarious plan and tries to get Pallavi hitched to an eligible NRI groom (Adhaar Khurana). What follows is absolute mayhem, endless fun, and impossible wedding moments. Boycotting no more, Rihanna ready for Super Bowl stage Talking about the rollicking entertainer that will be premiered on February 19th at Tata Play Theatre, director Akarsh Khurana says, "Some stories are just an absolute joy to tell, and 'Yeh Shaadi Nahi Ho Sakti' was one such project from the very beginning. The cast and crew and I absolutely loved blending the colourful quirks of the 1990s with the comedic genius of Shakespeare, both of which I grew up loving. Adhir Bhat's script, Lisha Bajaj's hilarious one-liners, and the actors' energy brought the house down every time we rehearsed. I have no doubt that the audience will enjoy this story immensely." Sharing her experience, actress Prajakta Koli adds, "I have done theatre before, and working with Akarsh has always been a treat. He is like a mentor and guide to so many young actors, and I always go to him to have heart-to-heart conversations. Even though he is a prankster, he always draws the best out of actors, and I trusted him completely to guide me through my first teleplay and had an absolutely wonderful time on the sets. The joy we experienced during the shoot is palpable in the final cut. The audience will appreciate how "extra" and full of fun this teleplay is!" Actress Shikha Talsania, who plays Pallavi in the teleplay, says, "Shakespeare + the 90s + Akarsh + collaborating once again with dear friends = Yeh Shaadi Nahi Ho Sakti." "I had a great time playing Pallavi; I took inspiration from all the actors of the nineties that I’ve adored and brought a whole lot of my own madness to it." Witness this impossible wedding drama, 'Yeh Shaadi Nahi Ho Sakti,' at Tata Play Theatre on February 19th at 2 pm and 8 pm!

Prajakta Koli aka Mostly Sane forays into theatre with an adaptation of Shakespeare's 'Taming of the Shrew'

Flag hoisting on a misty, winter morning on the school grounds or huddling close to a television set to watch the Republic Day parade with loved ones are some of the most cherished memories we all recall from childhood. &nbsp;Aahana Kumra who stars in Zee Theater's &nbsp;'Sir Sir Sarla' is no exception and says, "I remember waking up early in the morning to watch the Republic Day parade on Doordarshan and still cherish this family ritual. Flag hoisting too was a very integral part of my family as my mom has given 40 years to the police force and this is something we have always done. Another memory is watching her cry every time ‘Ae mere Watan ke logo’ played on the radio or TV. The message inherent in this day reminds us that we are all Indians first and must put our country before anything else." &nbsp;

Sadiya Siddiqui who features in Zee Theatre's literary anthology, 'Koi Baat Chale' and reads Saadat Hasan Manto's story 'Hatak' says, "I remember practising the march past for the &nbsp;Republic Day parade in school as a &nbsp;an cadet. I would also give speeches about India's ideals of unity in diversity. I felt very proud of the fact that India had so many languages, and religions but loved every citizen equally. We all celebrated each other's festivals and I would like those days to come back."&nbsp;

Sadiya hopes, as a nation, we will honour our Constitution, and seek policies which help the less privileged, and the differently abled so that they can all live, commute, and work with dignity. She adds, "And I definitely want more love, more tolerance for each other because life is short and only unity and peace can make this world a better place."&nbsp;

Actor Vivaan Shah who reads Munshi Premchand’s story 'Gulli Danda' in Zee Theatre's 'Koi Baat Chale' has vivid memories of&nbsp;Republic Day parades, the jubilation, and the stirring spirit of the occasion and says, "I remember being a part of many functions at school on this day and watching films like 'Gandhi' and 'Mother India' which would be aired by Doordarshan. Bhisham Sahni's 'Tamas' also left a deep impact on me, growing up. What I have imbibed from the syncretic culture of India is that there is a difference between patriotism and nationalism. Patriotism is the love for one’s own country, whereas nationalism is the hatred for someone else or their country. Gandhiji taught us to practice love and peace and not hatred and hostility. And that would be my message too on this special day." &nbsp;

Celebrated actor and director Seema Pahwa who helms Zee Theatre's&nbsp;'Koi Baat Chale' recalls, "I still remember fondly, practising for the Republic Day parade and watching films like 'Gandhi',&nbsp;'Shaheed' and&nbsp;'Purab Aur Paschim' which evoked such deep patriotic feelings. On this day, I would just say that if we want to see change, we must herald it ourselves. Only by developing ourselves, can we contribute to the development of the nation. &nbsp;If we start working on ourselves eventually the country will progress as much as we do. "

Flag hoisting on a misty, winter morning on the school grounds or huddling close to a television set to watch the Republic Day parade with loved ones are some of the most cherished memories we all recall from childhood.

Flag hoisting on a misty, winter morning on the school grounds or huddling close to a television set to watch the Republic Day parade with loved ones are some of the most cherished memories we all recall from childhood. Aahana Kumra who stars in Zee Theater's 'Sir Sir Sarla' is no exception and says, "I remember waking up early in the morning to watch the Republic Day parade on Doordarshan and still cherish this family ritual. Flag hoisting too was a very integral part of my family as my mom has given 40 years to the police force and this is something we have always done. Another memory is watching her cry every time ‘Ae mere Watan ke logo’ played on the radio or TV. The message inherent in this day reminds us that we are all Indians first and must put our country before anything else." Sadiya Siddiqui who features in Zee Theatre's literary anthology, 'Koi Baat Chale' and reads Saadat Hasan Manto's story 'Hatak' says, "I remember practising the march past for the Republic Day parade in school as a an cadet. I would also give speeches about India's ideals of unity in diversity. I felt very proud of the fact that India had so many languages, and religions but loved every citizen equally. We all celebrated each other's festivals and I would like those days to come back." Sadiya hopes, as a nation, we will honour our Constitution, and seek policies which help the less privileged, and the differently abled so that they can all live, commute, and work with dignity. She adds, "And I definitely want more love, more tolerance for each other because life is short and only unity and peace can make this world a better place." Actor Vivaan Shah who reads Munshi Premchand’s story 'Gulli Danda' in Zee Theatre's 'Koi Baat Chale' has vivid memories of Republic Day parades, the jubilation, and the stirring spirit of the occasion and says, "I remember being a part of many functions at school on this day and watching films like 'Gandhi' and 'Mother India' which would be aired by Doordarshan. Bhisham Sahni's 'Tamas' also left a deep impact on me, growing up. What I have imbibed from the syncretic culture of India is that there is a difference between patriotism and nationalism. Patriotism is the love for one’s own country, whereas nationalism is the hatred for someone else or their country. Gandhiji taught us to practice love and peace and not hatred and hostility. And that would be my message too on this special day." Celebrated actor and director Seema Pahwa who helms Zee Theatre's 'Koi Baat Chale' recalls, "I still remember fondly, practising for the Republic Day parade and watching films like 'Gandhi', 'Shaheed' and 'Purab Aur Paschim' which evoked such deep patriotic feelings. On this day, I would just say that if we want to see change, we must herald it ourselves. Only by developing ourselves, can we contribute to the development of the nation. If we start working on ourselves eventually the country will progress as much as we do. "

Zee Theatre stars share their favourite memories of Republic Day

It's India's 74th Republic Day today and what better way to celebrate on this cold winter morning than revisiting some old gems on your television. Here are our pick of 7 patriotic&nbsp;films/ teleplays to watch this holiday weekend.&nbsp;

Seven

Do we care about the unsung heroes of the freedom struggle? ‘Seven’, the Hindi adaptation of Catherine O’Reilly and Tim Churchill's play, ‘The Magnificent Seven’ asks this very question. Set in an old age home in 1997, it focuses on camaraderie between former freedom fighters who decide to join the 50th Independence Day celebrations in Delhi. They make a plan to escape from the confines of their old age home and what happens next is incredibly inspiring.

‘Seven’, directed by Nitin Shingal stars Pawan Maskara, Beena Banerjee, Kanwaljeet Singh, Shubha Khote, Yusuf Hussain, Utkarsh Mazumdar, Jayashankar Tripathi, Neeraj Aneja, Ronjini Chakraborty, Payal Nair, Saloni Grover, and Swanandi Tikekar. It will be aired on January 26th on Tata Play Theatre.

Tadbeer

When we were battling the British, we knew who the enemy was but who are we battling today is the question this play directed by Saahil Saple asks. The story is about the "internal enemy" we may hate but who will win this battle between violence and humanity and what is the moral cost of revenge?

The protagonists include PK, a highly placed commander, and a politician on a mission to kill an activist fighting for freedom and equality. A young foot-soldier Somu and an ex-army recruit Darshan, are entrusted with a deadly mission but Darshan begins to question the morality of the task he is being asked to carry out. The play stars Raj Arjun, Manoj Kolhatkar, Jayant Gadekar, and Siddharth Menon.

State vs Malti Mhaske

Can all Indian citizens access their constitutional rights? This hard-hitting play conveys that the answer is, 'No.' This adaptation of Gary Earl Ross’ award-winning courtroom drama, 'Matter of Intent revolves around a 20-year-old Dalit house help Malti, who is accused of murdering her employer from a higher caste. Malti is condemned even before the trial has begun and seems fated for the gallows but then a lawyer, Tara, steps in to reveal some hidden truths.

Watch the play to find out if Malti gets justice that is due to her. Directed by Nikhil Mahajan, the teleplay stars Divya Menon, Sagar Deshmukh, Smita Tambe, and Vikram Kochhar.

Final Solutions

Is there any antidote for communal hate? Sahitya Akademi Award-winning playwright Mahesh Dattani's play, ‘Final Solutions’ discusses how communal conflicts continue to rupture relationships and create social divides till date. &nbsp;

The play travels through three generations post-independence and progresses through the narratives of various characters to prove that it is perhaps not possible to dissolve deep rooted biases once and for all. &nbsp;The play stars Himanshu Tyagi, Shalini Vatsa, Chandan Anand, Payal Nair and Priyanka Charan.

Shobhayatra

We may idolize the heroes of the independence movement but do we really value what they stood for? The Hindi adaptation of Shafaat Khan’s Marathi classic play, ‘ Shobhayatra ' reveals the gap between the idealism of nation-builders and freedom fighters and the opportunism of the present age. Set during India’s 50th Independence Day celebrations, the play shows protagonists from various professions deciding to act as iconic leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Rani Lakshmibai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Subhas Chandra Bose. Strangely enough, the play is sponsored by a gangster.

'Shobhayatra' stars Chirag Vohra, Ayaz Khan, Mansi Multani, Anand Alkunte, and Nikhil Ratnaparkhi. The play filmed by Attar Singh Saini and directed for the stage by Ganesh Yadav will be aired on January 26th on Dish TV and then on D2H Rangmanch and Airtel Theatre

Rang De Basanti &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 
Has the promise of a free, fair and equitable Republic been fulfilled or do we need another freedom movement to question injustice and corruption? These questions were asked by this 2006 Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra film which starred Aamir Khan, Siddharth, Atul Kulkarni, Soha Ali Khan, Sharman Joshi and Kunal Kapoor. Confronted by a tragedy, and inspired by the freedom fighters of the independence struggle, these young Indians find a sense of purpose and decide to do something.

The film also led to candle light vigils seeking justice for Jessica Lal and still remains one of the most influential films of the last few decades. It can be streamed on Netflix.

The Legend of Bhagat Singh

In 1965, Manoj Kumar starred in a biopic about martyred revolutionary Bhagat Singh and in 2002, two films came out to retell the same story. Of these two, the Rajkumar Santoshi version was decidedly superior and also won lead actor Ajay Devgn a National Award. The film reminded us just how many sacrifices were made to win India its independence and how callous we are with the privileges that so many freedom fighters laid down their lives for.

AR Rahman's goose-bump inducing score is another reason to rewatch this modern classic on Netflix. 'The Legend of Bhagat Singh' also had strong performances by Sushant Singh, D. Santosh and Akhilendra Mishra. 
&nbsp;

It's India's 74th Republic Day today and what better way to celebrate on this cold winter morning than revisiting some old gems on your television. Here are our pick of 7 patriotic films/ teleplays to watch this holiday weekend.

It's India's 74th Republic Day today and what better way to celebrate on this cold winter morning than revisiting some old gems on your television. Here are our pick of 7 patriotic films/ teleplays to watch this holiday weekend. Seven Do we care about the unsung heroes of the freedom struggle? ‘Seven’, the Hindi adaptation of Catherine O’Reilly and Tim Churchill's play, ‘The Magnificent Seven’ asks this very question. Set in an old age home in 1997, it focuses on camaraderie between former freedom fighters who decide to join the 50th Independence Day celebrations in Delhi. They make a plan to escape from the confines of their old age home and what happens next is incredibly inspiring. ‘Seven’, directed by Nitin Shingal stars Pawan Maskara, Beena Banerjee, Kanwaljeet Singh, Shubha Khote, Yusuf Hussain, Utkarsh Mazumdar, Jayashankar Tripathi, Neeraj Aneja, Ronjini Chakraborty, Payal Nair, Saloni Grover, and Swanandi Tikekar. It will be aired on January 26th on Tata Play Theatre. Tadbeer When we were battling the British, we knew who the enemy was but who are we battling today is the question this play directed by Saahil Saple asks. The story is about the "internal enemy" we may hate but who will win this battle between violence and humanity and what is the moral cost of revenge? The protagonists include PK, a highly placed commander, and a politician on a mission to kill an activist fighting for freedom and equality. A young foot-soldier Somu and an ex-army recruit Darshan, are entrusted with a deadly mission but Darshan begins to question the morality of the task he is being asked to carry out. The play stars Raj Arjun, Manoj Kolhatkar, Jayant Gadekar, and Siddharth Menon. State vs Malti Mhaske Can all Indian citizens access their constitutional rights? This hard-hitting play conveys that the answer is, 'No.' This adaptation of Gary Earl Ross’ award-winning courtroom drama, 'Matter of Intent revolves around a 20-year-old Dalit house help Malti, who is accused of murdering her employer from a higher caste. Malti is condemned even before the trial has begun and seems fated for the gallows but then a lawyer, Tara, steps in to reveal some hidden truths. Watch the play to find out if Malti gets justice that is due to her. Directed by Nikhil Mahajan, the teleplay stars Divya Menon, Sagar Deshmukh, Smita Tambe, and Vikram Kochhar. Final Solutions Is there any antidote for communal hate? Sahitya Akademi Award-winning playwright Mahesh Dattani's play, ‘Final Solutions’ discusses how communal conflicts continue to rupture relationships and create social divides till date. The play travels through three generations post-independence and progresses through the narratives of various characters to prove that it is perhaps not possible to dissolve deep rooted biases once and for all. The play stars Himanshu Tyagi, Shalini Vatsa, Chandan Anand, Payal Nair and Priyanka Charan. Shobhayatra We may idolize the heroes of the independence movement but do we really value what they stood for? The Hindi adaptation of Shafaat Khan’s Marathi classic play, ‘ Shobhayatra ' reveals the gap between the idealism of nation-builders and freedom fighters and the opportunism of the present age. Set during India’s 50th Independence Day celebrations, the play shows protagonists from various professions deciding to act as iconic leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Rani Lakshmibai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Subhas Chandra Bose. Strangely enough, the play is sponsored by a gangster. 'Shobhayatra' stars Chirag Vohra, Ayaz Khan, Mansi Multani, Anand Alkunte, and Nikhil Ratnaparkhi. The play filmed by Attar Singh Saini and directed for the stage by Ganesh Yadav will be aired on January 26th on Dish TV and then on D2H Rangmanch and Airtel Theatre Rang De Basanti Has the promise of a free, fair and equitable Republic been fulfilled or do we need another freedom movement to question injustice and corruption? These questions were asked by this 2006 Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra film which starred Aamir Khan, Siddharth, Atul Kulkarni, Soha Ali Khan, Sharman Joshi and Kunal Kapoor. Confronted by a tragedy, and inspired by the freedom fighters of the independence struggle, these young Indians find a sense of purpose and decide to do something. The film also led to candle light vigils seeking justice for Jessica Lal and still remains one of the most influential films of the last few decades. It can be streamed on Netflix. The Legend of Bhagat Singh In 1965, Manoj Kumar starred in a biopic about martyred revolutionary Bhagat Singh and in 2002, two films came out to retell the same story. Of these two, the Rajkumar Santoshi version was decidedly superior and also won lead actor Ajay Devgn a National Award. The film reminded us just how many sacrifices were made to win India its independence and how callous we are with the privileges that so many freedom fighters laid down their lives for. AR Rahman's goose-bump inducing score is another reason to rewatch this modern classic on Netflix. 'The Legend of Bhagat Singh' also had strong performances by Sushant Singh, D. Santosh and Akhilendra Mishra.

Republic Day special: 7 thought-provoking films and teleplays to watch this weekend

With theatre becoming mainstream in the form of teleplays, here is a list of some shows you can watch in this new year that will make you believe in the idea of&nbsp;love and the need for human connections.

White Lilly &amp; Night Rider

<img alt="Zee Theatre" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="37f22f6a-46b1-4122-a1fc-be3b89b6941e" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/HORIZONS-46_1.jpg" />

This Milind Phatak directorial is about two&nbsp;individuals who are looking for a connection online with their real selves hidden behind the pseudonyms, White Lilly and Night Rider. The Milind Phatak and Sonali Kulkarni starrer traces what happens when unaware of each other's identities, the two fall in love and finally come face-to-face. Will they discover the difference between the real and the virtual? &nbsp;Were their expectations from this relationship and their feelings for each other rooted in facts or fantasy? Find out more in this new-age romantic comedy.

Sir Sir Sarla

<img alt="sarla" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="39b40d06-a3da-4770-910e-bd6e176ce1d2" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/HORIZONS-44_0.jpg" />

This modern yet timeless love story written and directed by prolific theatre exponent and playwright Makrand Deshpande revolves around three protagonists. There is the young and naive Sarla &nbsp;who is smitten by Professor Palekar &nbsp;and there is &nbsp;her co-student &nbsp;who shares a love-hate relationship with him. The teleplay explores this triangular connection that goes through many shifts when Sarla gets married, Phanidhar begins to harbour a deep grudge and the professor carries within , unarticulated guilt, love, and a sense of loss.&nbsp;Filmed by Suman Mukhopadhyay, the teleplay stars Aahana Kumra, Makarand Deshpande, Sanjay Dadhich and Anjum Sharma.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Love

<img alt="love" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="21f2cfa8-1895-4fbb-a89a-e3b437fb3561" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/HORIZONS-45_1.jpg" />

Inspired by George Bernad Shaw's 'Pygmalion ', this play narrates what happens when a sculptor’s beautiful creation comes to life and begins to express thoughts and emotions of its own. Does the creator resent it when he realises that what he has created no longer belongs to him and has agency of its own? The story begins when the protagonist develops a robot with Artificial Intelligence to fool his mother into believing he has found love and is finally getting married. Though the play offers insight into how science is infiltrating our lives, it also shows how ego and the instinct to control someone else can impact our relationships. Filmed by Karan Talwar, the teleplay stars Rajeev Siddhartha, Yuki Ellias, Shivam Patil, Sonali Sachdev, Payal Nair, Nandini Sen, Priti Shroff and Suhani Gandhi.&nbsp;

With theatre becoming mainstream in the form of teleplays, here is a list of some shows you can watch in this new year that will make you believe in the idea of love and the need for human connections.

With theatre becoming mainstream in the form of teleplays, here is a list of some shows you can watch in this new year that will make you believe in the idea of love and the need for human connections. White Lilly & Night Rider This Milind Phatak directorial is about two individuals who are looking for a connection online with their real selves hidden behind the pseudonyms, White Lilly and Night Rider. The Milind Phatak and Sonali Kulkarni starrer traces what happens when unaware of each other's identities, the two fall in love and finally come face-to-face. Will they discover the difference between the real and the virtual? Were their expectations from this relationship and their feelings for each other rooted in facts or fantasy? Find out more in this new-age romantic comedy. Sir Sir Sarla This modern yet timeless love story written and directed by prolific theatre exponent and playwright Makrand Deshpande revolves around three protagonists. There is the young and naive Sarla who is smitten by Professor Palekar and there is her co-student who shares a love-hate relationship with him. The teleplay explores this triangular connection that goes through many shifts when Sarla gets married, Phanidhar begins to harbour a deep grudge and the professor carries within , unarticulated guilt, love, and a sense of loss. Filmed by Suman Mukhopadhyay, the teleplay stars Aahana Kumra, Makarand Deshpande, Sanjay Dadhich and Anjum Sharma. Love Inspired by George Bernad Shaw's 'Pygmalion ', this play narrates what happens when a sculptor’s beautiful creation comes to life and begins to express thoughts and emotions of its own. Does the creator resent it when he realises that what he has created no longer belongs to him and has agency of its own? The story begins when the protagonist develops a robot with Artificial Intelligence to fool his mother into believing he has found love and is finally getting married. Though the play offers insight into how science is infiltrating our lives, it also shows how ego and the instinct to control someone else can impact our relationships. Filmed by Karan Talwar, the teleplay stars Rajeev Siddhartha, Yuki Ellias, Shivam Patil, Sonali Sachdev, Payal Nair, Nandini Sen, Priti Shroff and Suhani Gandhi.

Welcome 2023 with these Zee Theatre teleplays

The year 2022 was big for theatre in India as it made inroads into TV. Merging two very important platforms for entertainment, Zee Theatre experimented with a new style of storytelling as it brought a dramatic feast of 30 plays in 30 days titled ‘Har Din Naya Drama’. Bringing the best of classic, contemporary, and clutter-breaking content of India's vast and diverse theatre fraternity, Shailja Kejriwal, Chief Creative Officer of Special Projects, ZEEL and a film producer herself, spoke to WION about making theatre mainstream.&nbsp;

Here are the excerpts of the chat:

WION: The year 2022 was huge for Zee Theatre in terms of broadcasting theatrical plays. How would you define 'Har Din Naya Drama' as a concept?&nbsp;

Shailja: The idea was to bring a new play every day to the audience and the title came from the colloquial way of describing little dramas that unfold in some way in every household. Therefore, we used the often-used sentence, "Har Roz Naya Drama Laga Hi Rehta Hai” and connected the idea to the theatre. At a time when there is much to choose from, be it cinema, television, or OTT, we presented a new option that offers stories steeped in diverse emotions and genres ranging from humour, satire, and tragedy to thrillers.&nbsp;

Theatre in any case is part of our culture from the time of 'Natya Shastra' to references in 'Mahabharat' of Arjun enacting the part of Brihannala, during the one-year incognito exile. We have an inexhaustible heritage to draw from and for now, we will largely present plays in Hindi and then eventually include dubbed regional stories as well, in the mix.

WION: What are some of the ways that theatre can be mainstreamed as an entertainment option and not be restricted to only the aficionados?

Shailja: We are presenting plays that are entertaining as well as issue-oriented and that is something you don't find often in programming. For instance, the play, 'Ma Retire Hoti Hai' explores the question if women can ever be relieved of domestic responsibilities and say, "I am done! Now I will only rest!" Men have a retirement age, but women don't. A teleplay like 'Gudiya Ki Shaadi' explores the issue of obsession with fairness and how a dark-complexioned young girl navigates this prejudice. The idea is to highlight issues that we see within our families and provide a larger social context. We have teleplays by stalwarts like Vijay Tendulkar, Mahesh Dattani, Girish Karnad, and Tagore along with contemporary talents like Purva Naresh and this mix will engage all kinds of viewers and not just theatre aficionados. &nbsp;

WION: What is behind your vision to make theatre a part of the daily lives of viewers? And how will you meet the demand and supply challenge?

Shailja: We have an inexhaustible treasure trove of teleplays and with time, we want to bring plays from every region and language to the viewers because India has the diversity to offer. These stories will resonate with viewers because they are relatable, relevant, and timeless.

WION: What is the future of theatre? Will it be hybrid with existing theatres getting modified to adapt to different mediums and theatre becoming increasingly digital?

Shailja: Theatre has been a part of the Indian ethos from the time of 'Natya Shastra' and 'Mahabharat' and continues to exist in many forms on streets, in theatres, on the small screen, in the living rooms of people and it will continue to grow and evolve. Digital theatre I feel will enhance the love for live plays. It also plays an archival role and preserves stories that otherwise would not be accessible or just fade away. Theatre will exist in its purest form, in hybrid ways and in a collaborative form like teleplays where you can savour the energy of live performances and cinematic technique right at home. 
&nbsp;

The year 2022 was big for theatre in India as it made inroads into TV. Merging two very important platforms for entertainment, Zee Theatre experimented with a new style of storytelling as it brought a dramatic feast of 30 plays in 30 days titled ‘Har Din Naya Drama’.

The year 2022 was big for theatre in India as it made inroads into TV. Merging two very important platforms for entertainment, Zee Theatre experimented with a new style of storytelling as it brought a dramatic feast of 30 plays in 30 days titled ‘Har Din Naya Drama’. Bringing the best of classic, contemporary, and clutter-breaking content of India's vast and diverse theatre fraternity, Shailja Kejriwal, Chief Creative Officer of Special Projects, ZEEL and a film producer herself, spoke to WION about making theatre mainstream. Here are the excerpts of the chat: WION: The year 2022 was huge for Zee Theatre in terms of broadcasting theatrical plays. How would you define 'Har Din Naya Drama' as a concept? Shailja: The idea was to bring a new play every day to the audience and the title came from the colloquial way of describing little dramas that unfold in some way in every household. Therefore, we used the often-used sentence, "Har Roz Naya Drama Laga Hi Rehta Hai” and connected the idea to the theatre. At a time when there is much to choose from, be it cinema, television, or OTT, we presented a new option that offers stories steeped in diverse emotions and genres ranging from humour, satire, and tragedy to thrillers. Theatre in any case is part of our culture from the time of 'Natya Shastra' to references in 'Mahabharat' of Arjun enacting the part of Brihannala, during the one-year incognito exile. We have an inexhaustible heritage to draw from and for now, we will largely present plays in Hindi and then eventually include dubbed regional stories as well, in the mix. WION: What are some of the ways that theatre can be mainstreamed as an entertainment option and not be restricted to only the aficionados? Shailja: We are presenting plays that are entertaining as well as issue-oriented and that is something you don't find often in programming. For instance, the play, 'Ma Retire Hoti Hai' explores the question if women can ever be relieved of domestic responsibilities and say, "I am done! Now I will only rest!" Men have a retirement age, but women don't. A teleplay like 'Gudiya Ki Shaadi' explores the issue of obsession with fairness and how a dark-complexioned young girl navigates this prejudice. The idea is to highlight issues that we see within our families and provide a larger social context. We have teleplays by stalwarts like Vijay Tendulkar, Mahesh Dattani, Girish Karnad, and Tagore along with contemporary talents like Purva Naresh and this mix will engage all kinds of viewers and not just theatre aficionados. WION: What is behind your vision to make theatre a part of the daily lives of viewers? And how will you meet the demand and supply challenge? Shailja: We have an inexhaustible treasure trove of teleplays and with time, we want to bring plays from every region and language to the viewers because India has the diversity to offer. These stories will resonate with viewers because they are relatable, relevant, and timeless. WION: What is the future of theatre? Will it be hybrid with existing theatres getting modified to adapt to different mediums and theatre becoming increasingly digital? Shailja: Theatre has been a part of the Indian ethos from the time of 'Natya Shastra' and 'Mahabharat' and continues to exist in many forms on streets, in theatres, on the small screen, in the living rooms of people and it will continue to grow and evolve. Digital theatre I feel will enhance the love for live plays. It also plays an archival role and preserves stories that otherwise would not be accessible or just fade away. Theatre will exist in its purest form, in hybrid ways and in a collaborative form like teleplays where you can savour the energy of live performances and cinematic technique right at home.

Theatre has been a part of the Indian ethos from the time of 'Natya Shastra', 'Mahabharat'

To mark the arrival of a new year full of possibilities, here are a few heart-warming Zee Theatre treats that will uplift, enrich and also entertain you. &nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Love

Inspired by George Bernard Shaw's 'Pygmalion', this quirky adaptation poses the question, "What if a creation begins to assert wilfulness much to the surprise of the creator"? &nbsp;Karan Talwar’s futuristic directorial ‘Love’ narrates what happens when a young scientist develops a robot to fool his mother into believing that the invention is her future daughter-in-law. Things take an interesting turn when the robot begins to exercise free will and to exhibit human emotions.

‘Love’ stars Rajeev Siddhartha, Yuki Ellias, Shivam Patil, and Sonali Sachdev.

Shyam Ki Mummy

‘Shyam Ki Mummy’ is the Hindi adaptation of 'Shyamchi Mummy', a play penned by noted Marathi playwright, Ashok Patole. The story takes on the flaws of the modern education system and depicts how inordinate stress affects the psychological state of a child (Shyam) who has been deprived of all fun and joy. The teleplay also depicts societal obsession with high marks as when Shyam’s mom goes to the extent of taking annual leave to concentrate on her son’s Board exams.

The play jointly directed by Dnyanesh Bhalekar and Purshottam Berde stars Nirmiti Sawant, Milind Phatak, Dharmaj Joshi, Rahul Kumar, and Sayali Sudhakar. &nbsp;

Tadbeer

Directed by Saahil Saple, 'Tadbeer' explores the grey area between right and wrong. It narrates the story of vengeance and its consequences when a politician begins a mission to kill an activist fighting for freedom and equality. A young foot-soldier Somu and an ex-army recruit Darshan, are entrusted with this mission that they have little idea about but Darshan soon faces a moral dilemma. He begins to wonder if carrying out this task is justified or not. &nbsp;

The play stars Raj Arjun, Manoj Kolhatkar, Jayant Gadekar, and Siddharth Menon.

Bombay Talkies

'Bombay Talkies' depicts the lives of seven people in Mumbai who are from different backgrounds and are representations of the metro's layered society and diverse culture. This moving anthology, directed by Vikram Kapadia, brings forth deeply entrenched social issues through the monologues of each of the characters. The stories are cleverly and effortlessly interwoven with each other and have a mix of humour, loneliness, romance, anger, and hope.

The play stars Darshan Jariwala, Namit Das, Neil Bhoopalam, Mansi Multani, Anahita Uberoi, and Tushar Mathew.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Jana Tha Roshanpura

This play explores an emotional and unique bond between a father-in-law and son-in-law, who are compelled to share the company of each other for a year after the death of their daughter and wife, Panja. Even though we see them at loggerheads in the beginning, a tenuous relationship develops between the two towards the end. This play, laced with comedy and profundity, is jointly directed by Virendra Saxena and Sanjay Jha.

‘Jana Tha Roshanpura’&nbsp;stars&nbsp;Virendra Saxena, Ravi Mahashabde, and Samta Sagar.

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To mark the arrival of a new year full of possibilities, here are a few heart-warming Zee Theatre treats that will uplift, enrich and also entertain you. Love Inspired by George Bernard Shaw's 'Pygmalion', this quirky adaptation poses the question, "What if a creation begins to assert wilfulness much to the surprise of the creator"?

To mark the arrival of a new year full of possibilities, here are a few heart-warming Zee Theatre treats that will uplift, enrich and also entertain you. Love Inspired by George Bernard Shaw's 'Pygmalion', this quirky adaptation poses the question, "What if a creation begins to assert wilfulness much to the surprise of the creator"? Karan Talwar’s futuristic directorial ‘Love’ narrates what happens when a young scientist develops a robot to fool his mother into believing that the invention is her future daughter-in-law. Things take an interesting turn when the robot begins to exercise free will and to exhibit human emotions. ‘Love’ stars Rajeev Siddhartha, Yuki Ellias, Shivam Patil, and Sonali Sachdev. Shyam Ki Mummy ‘Shyam Ki Mummy’ is the Hindi adaptation of 'Shyamchi Mummy', a play penned by noted Marathi playwright, Ashok Patole. The story takes on the flaws of the modern education system and depicts how inordinate stress affects the psychological state of a child (Shyam) who has been deprived of all fun and joy. The teleplay also depicts societal obsession with high marks as when Shyam’s mom goes to the extent of taking annual leave to concentrate on her son’s Board exams. The play jointly directed by Dnyanesh Bhalekar and Purshottam Berde stars Nirmiti Sawant, Milind Phatak, Dharmaj Joshi, Rahul Kumar, and Sayali Sudhakar. Tadbeer Directed by Saahil Saple, 'Tadbeer' explores the grey area between right and wrong. It narrates the story of vengeance and its consequences when a politician begins a mission to kill an activist fighting for freedom and equality. A young foot-soldier Somu and an ex-army recruit Darshan, are entrusted with this mission that they have little idea about but Darshan soon faces a moral dilemma. He begins to wonder if carrying out this task is justified or not. The play stars Raj Arjun, Manoj Kolhatkar, Jayant Gadekar, and Siddharth Menon. Bombay Talkies 'Bombay Talkies' depicts the lives of seven people in Mumbai who are from different backgrounds and are representations of the metro's layered society and diverse culture. This moving anthology, directed by Vikram Kapadia, brings forth deeply entrenched social issues through the monologues of each of the characters. The stories are cleverly and effortlessly interwoven with each other and have a mix of humour, loneliness, romance, anger, and hope. The play stars Darshan Jariwala, Namit Das, Neil Bhoopalam, Mansi Multani, Anahita Uberoi, and Tushar Mathew. Jana Tha Roshanpura This play explores an emotional and unique bond between a father-in-law and son-in-law, who are compelled to share the company of each other for a year after the death of their daughter and wife, Panja. Even though we see them at loggerheads in the beginning, a tenuous relationship develops between the two towards the end. This play, laced with comedy and profundity, is jointly directed by Virendra Saxena and Sanjay Jha. ‘Jana Tha Roshanpura’ stars Virendra Saxena, Ravi Mahashabde, and Samta Sagar.

Welcome 2023 with Zee Theatre’s rich array of engrossing teleplays

Padma Shri and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award winner Sarita Joshi has worked in Gujarati and Hindi theatre, television shows and films for decades and is known for surrendering totally to the characters she plays. The actor who essays the titular role in Nadira Zahir Babbar's classic play 'Sakubai' says, "This character reminds me of so many powerful, generous, giving women who helped me raise my children as a working mother. They nurtured not just them but me. Sakubai is very close to my heart because it reminds me of countless, undervalued, overworked domestic workers who are so much more than a 'bai'. Like Sakubai, they have lived through great challenges and yet face everyday with grit and a smile."

Joshi who began her theatre journey as a young girl, says, "My late husband Pravin Joshi was a very good director who gave a new direction to Gujarati theatre. I also worked with stalwarts like playwright, actor and director Adi Marzban who modernised Parsi theatre, Shailesh Dave, Arvind Joshi and so many more. I also had the privilege of learning from great actors like Shanta Apte, writers and exponents who taught me a lot about the craft and heart of theatre." 
&nbsp; 
Though she has essayed many characters, Sakubai taught her how to travel light through life.

She praises her director Nadira Zaheer Babbar for adding little nuances that slowly reveal to us&nbsp;the many layers of Sakubai's character and the experiences that have shaped her through life. She adds, "Sakubai looks after a rich family in Mumbai and has nobody to share her own life with. As she begins to communicate with the audience, &nbsp;issues like social inequity, gender violence and paucity of opportunities for girls, begin to reveal themselves. I also had a great time impersonating the various characters that the audience does &nbsp;not see in the play. It was a very fulfilling experience to embody Sakubai and to communicate the need for more empathy and respect for women who brings so much comfort and ease to our lives." &nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
The teleplay will be aired on Tata Play Theatre on 5th January.

Padma Shri and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award winner Sarita Joshi has worked in Gujarati and Hindi theatre, television shows and films for decades and is known for surrendering totally to the characters she plays.

Padma Shri and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award winner Sarita Joshi has worked in Gujarati and Hindi theatre, television shows and films for decades and is known for surrendering totally to the characters she plays. The actor who essays the titular role in Nadira Zahir Babbar's classic play 'Sakubai' says, "This character reminds me of so many powerful, generous, giving women who helped me raise my children as a working mother. They nurtured not just them but me. Sakubai is very close to my heart because it reminds me of countless, undervalued, overworked domestic workers who are so much more than a 'bai'. Like Sakubai, they have lived through great challenges and yet face everyday with grit and a smile." Joshi who began her theatre journey as a young girl, says, "My late husband Pravin Joshi was a very good director who gave a new direction to Gujarati theatre. I also worked with stalwarts like playwright, actor and director Adi Marzban who modernised Parsi theatre, Shailesh Dave, Arvind Joshi and so many more. I also had the privilege of learning from great actors like Shanta Apte, writers and exponents who taught me a lot about the craft and heart of theatre." Though she has essayed many characters, Sakubai taught her how to travel light through life. She praises her director Nadira Zaheer Babbar for adding little nuances that slowly reveal to us the many layers of Sakubai's character and the experiences that have shaped her through life. She adds, "Sakubai looks after a rich family in Mumbai and has nobody to share her own life with. As she begins to communicate with the audience, issues like social inequity, gender violence and paucity of opportunities for girls, begin to reveal themselves. I also had a great time impersonating the various characters that the audience does not see in the play. It was a very fulfilling experience to embody Sakubai and to communicate the need for more empathy and respect for women who brings so much comfort and ease to our lives." The teleplay will be aired on Tata Play Theatre on 5th January.

Padma Shri Sarita Joshi on her upcoming Zee Theatre's teleplay 'Sakubai'

This Christmas, rekindle your sense of wonder with Zee Theatre as it brings two internationally acclaimed musicals to the small screen. In this season of joy, make your family time even cosier with some hot chocolate and sumptuous treats like ‘The Sound of Music’ and ‘Peter Pan Live!’

&nbsp;The Sound of Music

The original Broadway production based on Maria von Trapp's, 'The Story of the Trapp Family Singers' opened in 1959 and was followed in 1965 with an iconic film starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. The film went on to win five Academy awards and what lives on till date is the musical score by Richard Rodgers with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. It continues to be replayed in various formats in multiple productions and this version is directed by Beth McCarthy-Miller and Rob Ashford.

It stars Grammy winner Carrie Underwood as Maria along with Stephen Moyer, Audra McDonald, Christian Borle, and Laura Benanti. The narrative once again takes us down memory lane with the feisty Maria who falls in love with a Naval hero just as the Nazis are beginning to tighten their grip around Austria.

&nbsp; 
Peter Pan Live!&nbsp;

Scottish novelist and playwright J. M. Barrie's story about eternal childhood on a mythical island called Neverland has inspired animation films, live action, West End and Broadway adaptations. &nbsp;And now Zee Theatre is bringing ' ‘Peter Pan Live!,'’ a production inspired by the original 1954 Broadway musical on Indian Television. Its televised version in 1955 had attracted an audience of 65 million viewers and was then the highest rated single program in the history of television. This version features the Academy&nbsp;Award winning legend Christopher Walken as Captain Hook,&nbsp;Allison Williams stars as Peter Pan in this Rob Ashford and Glenn Weiss directorial.

The story about Peter's quest for joy and wonder, innocence and magic on an island refuge, his battle with many odds and his courage and self-belief are as inspiring today as when the musical was first staged.&nbsp;Much-loved songs like 'Tender Shepherd,' 'Never Never Land,' and 'Distant Melody, 'spectacular sword fights and uplifting choreography make this musical a not to be missed experience.&nbsp;The musical also stars Christian Borle, Kelli O'Hara, Alanna Saunders, Taylor Louderman and Jake Lucas.

This Christmas, rekindle your sense of wonder with Zee Theatre as it brings two internationally acclaimed musicals to the small screen. In this season of joy, make your family time even cosier with some hot chocolate and sumptuous treats like ‘The Sound of Music’ and ‘Peter Pan Live!

This Christmas, rekindle your sense of wonder with Zee Theatre as it brings two internationally acclaimed musicals to the small screen. In this season of joy, make your family time even cosier with some hot chocolate and sumptuous treats like ‘The Sound of Music’ and ‘Peter Pan Live!’ The Sound of Music The original Broadway production based on Maria von Trapp's, 'The Story of the Trapp Family Singers' opened in 1959 and was followed in 1965 with an iconic film starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. The film went on to win five Academy awards and what lives on till date is the musical score by Richard Rodgers with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. It continues to be replayed in various formats in multiple productions and this version is directed by Beth McCarthy-Miller and Rob Ashford. It stars Grammy winner Carrie Underwood as Maria along with Stephen Moyer, Audra McDonald, Christian Borle, and Laura Benanti. The narrative once again takes us down memory lane with the feisty Maria who falls in love with a Naval hero just as the Nazis are beginning to tighten their grip around Austria. Peter Pan Live! Scottish novelist and playwright J. M. Barrie's story about eternal childhood on a mythical island called Neverland has inspired animation films, live action, West End and Broadway adaptations. And now Zee Theatre is bringing ' ‘Peter Pan Live!,'’ a production inspired by the original 1954 Broadway musical on Indian Television. Its televised version in 1955 had attracted an audience of 65 million viewers and was then the highest rated single program in the history of television. This version features the Academy Award winning legend Christopher Walken as Captain Hook, Allison Williams stars as Peter Pan in this Rob Ashford and Glenn Weiss directorial. The story about Peter's quest for joy and wonder, innocence and magic on an island refuge, his battle with many odds and his courage and self-belief are as inspiring today as when the musical was first staged. Much-loved songs like 'Tender Shepherd,' 'Never Never Land,' and 'Distant Melody, 'spectacular sword fights and uplifting choreography make this musical a not to be missed experience. The musical also stars Christian Borle, Kelli O'Hara, Alanna Saunders, Taylor Louderman and Jake Lucas.

Zee Theatre celebrates Christmas 2022 with two glorious musicals

We have seen her, we have loved her and yet there is something new that Seema Pahwa has to offer everytime she lights up the stage and/or screen – shuffling between theatre and cinema. A theatre veteran, actor-director who explored her directorial skills with 2019 release ‘Ramprasad Ki Tehrvi’, will be seen in Zee Theatre’s ‘Koi Baat Chale’, a series of dramatic readings of a collection of six stories based on the acclaimed writer Saadat Hasan Manto’s short stories. Speaking to WION, Seema Pahwa opens up about her experience of being involved with such a unique project, Manto in this age and how the post-pandemic world poses its own set of challenges for artists.

Here are the excerpts of the conversation:

WION: What is ‘Koi Baat Chale’? How will it benefit the audience?

Seema Pahwa: Many youngsters today are not familiar with the literary legacy of our country and naturally gravitate towards Western literature, films, and popular culture. Projects like 'Koi Baat Chale' can play an important &nbsp;part in reaching out to young people and initiating them into a discovery of the riches of Hindi and Urdu literature and of stories in various Indian languages. 'Koi Baat Chale' is an anthology of dramatic narrations. It features stories by authors like Manto, Munshi Premchand and Harishankar Parsai and&nbsp;will be read by Manoj Pahwa, Vineet Kumar, Vinay Pathak, Sadiya Siddiqui and Vivaan Shah.

We are in the digital period, where we listen less, surf channels&nbsp;more, consume visual content compulsively.&nbsp;These dramatic narratives can&nbsp;rekindle the joy of reading and of taking the time to listen and absorb. Once upon a time, our grandparents would tell us stories but even that has changed now, so if a series about storytelling comes on television, maybe the younger audience will be more receptive and inculcate the habit of listening.

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WION: How do you find this format? Does an actor need any additional skills to do justice to this medium?

Seema Pahwa: An actor usually gets used to the action-reaction method as it is believed that &nbsp;acting is all about giving a reaction to an action. But there is one more dimension to storytelling and it is the imaginary world that a writer has created.&nbsp;This has to be depicted through the voice and expressions of an actor because we cannot create it visually and are only narrating it. So painting this world is a challenge for a solo performer. The narrator has to embody a writer's voice, his point-of-view and also play the characters present in the story. To do this &nbsp; simultaneously is a big challenge for any actor.

WION: Since the series begins with literature by Saadat Hasan&nbsp;Manto, how do you feel about India-Pakistan exchange of art?&nbsp;

Seema Pahwa: The exchange has been going on forever. When we talk about the literature of the subcontinent, be it in Urdu, Hindi or Punjabi, it belongs to all of us and not just to India or Pakistan. Before the Partition, there were no divisions as 'Toba Tek Singh' beautifully conveys and even today Urdu stories are a part of Indian literature and Hindi literature is read in Pakistan as well. I think this synergy has helped maintain our relationship with each other. If we don't talk about political aspects then literature is what keeps humans connected to each other and India and Pakistan have always been a part of each other. It is through these stories that we get to know each other more closely and learn how similar Pakistan and India are to each other.

WION: Manto in this age - Is his work relevant today and how?

Seema Pahwa: If we revisit Manto's stories that were written at the time of Partition or where he is talking about the lives of sex workers, we will find that the issues he is addressing do not belong to the past. These stories are still relevant because the emotions invested in them are universal and timeless. You cannot define them as old or new. What we feel sad about, the losses we grieve, are common to all humanity across time and they will remain the same in the future too. That's why when we read the stories of Manto or Ismat Chughtai or Munshi Premchand, they seem as relevant today as they were in the past.

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WION: Seema ji, you are a TV personality and have done some incredible work over the years. How do you feel the audience's consumption of entertainment has changed post pandemic?

Seema Pahwa: The time we have spent in 2020-21 has definitely changed our personal and creative lives. Most &nbsp;people now prefer to work from home which is good and bad in its own way. This is also a matter of disappointment for artists who, for so long, have been working so hard to attract the audience to the theatres but now the frequency of people making time to step outside and buy tickets to watch theatre or films has reduced. The sense of community that films generated where everyone would enjoy them together has also decreased as most people want to be at home and sit, eat, drink, and watch movies.

This is why we now need the small screen and OTT streamers to bring our content to a larger audience. OTT content, in particular, provides diverse entertainment at home but I feel as human beings, we also adapt to anything quickly and if we have adapted to consuming entertainment at home, we will also start going out eventually to enjoy live entertainment and cinema the way we once did.

WION: As someone who's been a part of films since&nbsp;a long time. What's your understanding of films tanking at the box office.&nbsp;Why do you think that is happening?

Seema Pahwa: It is hard to predict what will click but I feel people are looking for something authentic and emotionally honest regardless of the format, language or genre.

WION: What does it take to make a hit project, apart from good&nbsp;content?

Seema Pahwa: I think honesty is very important while creating something. What is my intention to do any work? That is the most important question. If your intention is only to earn money in the name of entertainment, you will strive to put formulaic spices in your work to make it saleable. This dilutes the honesty towards cinema, theatre or telling any story. As an artist, it is my responsibility to give you my 100% and invest everything I have into the story I want to tell so that it reaches you. It is not that money is not important but the primary creative impulse should be honesty.

WION: Is there anything else that you would like to tell us about your experience working on 'Koi Baat Chale'?

Seema Pahwa: I think it is off to a great start. The digital aspect I think will hugely contribute &nbsp;towards creating an interest in theatre and good storytelling. Even without a lot of visual elements, people may find that tuning into a solo performer telling a story can be engaging and entertaining.The atmosphere we created is not filmy because the format has its limitations and yet the story told in a singular fashion has so many dimensions and richness. It will be a new experience for people who have not yet discovered theatre and maybe such shows can draw them to live performances as well. They may discover that going to the theatre and watching a play can be an interesting experience. &nbsp;

We have seen her, we have loved her and yet there is something new that Seema Pahwa has to offer everytime she lights up the stage and/or screen – shuffling between theatre and cinema.

We have seen her, we have loved her and yet there is something new that Seema Pahwa has to offer everytime she lights up the stage and/or screen – shuffling between theatre and cinema. A theatre veteran, actor-director who explored her directorial skills with 2019 release ‘Ramprasad Ki Tehrvi’, will be seen in Zee Theatre’s ‘Koi Baat Chale’, a series of dramatic readings of a collection of six stories based on the acclaimed writer Saadat Hasan Manto’s short stories. Speaking to WION, Seema Pahwa opens up about her experience of being involved with such a unique project, Manto in this age and how the post-pandemic world poses its own set of challenges for artists. Here are the excerpts of the conversation: WION: What is ‘Koi Baat Chale’? How will it benefit the audience? Seema Pahwa: Many youngsters today are not familiar with the literary legacy of our country and naturally gravitate towards Western literature, films, and popular culture. Projects like 'Koi Baat Chale' can play an important part in reaching out to young people and initiating them into a discovery of the riches of Hindi and Urdu literature and of stories in various Indian languages. 'Koi Baat Chale' is an anthology of dramatic narrations. It features stories by authors like Manto, Munshi Premchand and Harishankar Parsai and will be read by Manoj Pahwa, Vineet Kumar, Vinay Pathak, Sadiya Siddiqui and Vivaan Shah. We are in the digital period, where we listen less, surf channels more, consume visual content compulsively. These dramatic narratives can rekindle the joy of reading and of taking the time to listen and absorb. Once upon a time, our grandparents would tell us stories but even that has changed now, so if a series about storytelling comes on television, maybe the younger audience will be more receptive and inculcate the habit of listening. WION: How do you find this format? Does an actor need any additional skills to do justice to this medium? Seema Pahwa: An actor usually gets used to the action-reaction method as it is believed that acting is all about giving a reaction to an action. But there is one more dimension to storytelling and it is the imaginary world that a writer has created. This has to be depicted through the voice and expressions of an actor because we cannot create it visually and are only narrating it. So painting this world is a challenge for a solo performer. The narrator has to embody a writer's voice, his point-of-view and also play the characters present in the story. To do this simultaneously is a big challenge for any actor. WION: Since the series begins with literature by Saadat Hasan Manto, how do you feel about India-Pakistan exchange of art? Seema Pahwa: The exchange has been going on forever. When we talk about the literature of the subcontinent, be it in Urdu, Hindi or Punjabi, it belongs to all of us and not just to India or Pakistan. Before the Partition, there were no divisions as 'Toba Tek Singh' beautifully conveys and even today Urdu stories are a part of Indian literature and Hindi literature is read in Pakistan as well. I think this synergy has helped maintain our relationship with each other. If we don't talk about political aspects then literature is what keeps humans connected to each other and India and Pakistan have always been a part of each other. It is through these stories that we get to know each other more closely and learn how similar Pakistan and India are to each other. WION: Manto in this age - Is his work relevant today and how? Seema Pahwa: If we revisit Manto's stories that were written at the time of Partition or where he is talking about the lives of sex workers, we will find that the issues he is addressing do not belong to the past. These stories are still relevant because the emotions invested in them are universal and timeless. You cannot define them as old or new. What we feel sad about, the losses we grieve, are common to all humanity across time and they will remain the same in the future too. That's why when we read the stories of Manto or Ismat Chughtai or Munshi Premchand, they seem as relevant today as they were in the past. WION: Seema ji, you are a TV personality and have done some incredible work over the years. How do you feel the audience's consumption of entertainment has changed post pandemic? Seema Pahwa: The time we have spent in 2020-21 has definitely changed our personal and creative lives. Most people now prefer to work from home which is good and bad in its own way. This is also a matter of disappointment for artists who, for so long, have been working so hard to attract the audience to the theatres but now the frequency of people making time to step outside and buy tickets to watch theatre or films has reduced. The sense of community that films generated where everyone would enjoy them together has also decreased as most people want to be at home and sit, eat, drink, and watch movies. This is why we now need the small screen and OTT streamers to bring our content to a larger audience. OTT content, in particular, provides diverse entertainment at home but I feel as human beings, we also adapt to anything quickly and if we have adapted to consuming entertainment at home, we will also start going out eventually to enjoy live entertainment and cinema the way we once did. WION: As someone who's been a part of films since a long time. What's your understanding of films tanking at the box office. Why do you think that is happening? Seema Pahwa: It is hard to predict what will click but I feel people are looking for something authentic and emotionally honest regardless of the format, language or genre. WION: What does it take to make a hit project, apart from good content? Seema Pahwa: I think honesty is very important while creating something. What is my intention to do any work? That is the most important question. If your intention is only to earn money in the name of entertainment, you will strive to put formulaic spices in your work to make it saleable. This dilutes the honesty towards cinema, theatre or telling any story. As an artist, it is my responsibility to give you my 100% and invest everything I have into the story I want to tell so that it reaches you. It is not that money is not important but the primary creative impulse should be honesty. WION: Is there anything else that you would like to tell us about your experience working on 'Koi Baat Chale'? Seema Pahwa: I think it is off to a great start. The digital aspect I think will hugely contribute towards creating an interest in theatre and good storytelling. Even without a lot of visual elements, people may find that tuning into a solo performer telling a story can be engaging and entertaining.The atmosphere we created is not filmy because the format has its limitations and yet the story told in a singular fashion has so many dimensions and richness. It will be a new experience for people who have not yet discovered theatre and maybe such shows can draw them to live performances as well. They may discover that going to the theatre and watching a play can be an interesting experience.

Seema Pahwa: 'Koi Baat Chale' can help youngsters discover the riches of Hindi, Urdu literature

In a world, where gender inequality is rampant, what significance does International Men's Day&nbsp;(19th November) hold? Zee Theatre's stars Rajeev Khandelwal, Joy Sengupta and Pawan Chopra believe that this is a day of reflection on what masculinity truly means and if popular culture can break gender stereotypes. And if men need a specially designated day at all?

Rajeev Khandelwal responds, "I think it is important to celebrate Men’s Day because it can make them realize that they are looked up to for what they stand for. Higher self-esteem will make them want to earn respect which in turn may reduce the crimes against women. Also just celebrating Women’s Day can also mean that women are the weaker lot and they need a dedicated day in a year to feel special."&nbsp;

He believes popular culture can help break stereotypes associated with masculinity and adds, "Times have changed and popular culture needs to reflect the more progressive and mature side of men. Even a little shift in the portrayal of men can have a huge ripple effect through society. Thankfully, we are now beginning to see that men can be vulnerable too. Men too have started accepting gender equality and this is a welcome shift."

Pawan Chopra adds, "Popular culture no longer shows that men are omnipotent and that women are simply wallflowers. &nbsp;Men today are more collaborative and are able to work with strong women who are dominating various professions. Even within families, a man is no longer the ultimate authority and everyone has a voice. This evolution &nbsp;is &nbsp;good &nbsp;because the happiness of both genders is needed to provide stability to society." &nbsp;

Joy Sen Gupta thinks, popular culture has depicted both men and women in stereotypical ways and also subverted cliches about masculinity and femininity. He opines, "Women today can be avenging angels, action heroines leading armies to conquer galaxies and men need not be just hyper-masculine, misogynistic action heroes but also sensitive poets, academicians, artists and intellectuals. Big blockbusters though still have all the all-conquering hyper-masculine men, projecting machismo at different levels."

From the beginning of evolution, he says, men have used their physical strength to dominate and exploit women and adds, " From the feudal times onwards, women have been treated as property and objects of pleasure and have gone through unimaginable misery. Today women are staking their claim to their share of volition and that claim is celebrated as International Women’s Day. I don't know what &nbsp;men are staking their claim on via International Men's Day but if the day signifies that men should be more sensitive, more inclusive, and move away from machismo and misogyny, then I am for it."

In a world, where gender inequality is rampant, what significance does International Men's Day (19th November) hold? Zee Theatre's stars Rajeev Khandelwal, Joy Sengupta and Pawan Chopra believe that this is a day of reflection on what masculinity truly means and if popular culture can break gender stereotypes.

In a world, where gender inequality is rampant, what significance does International Men's Day (19th November) hold? Zee Theatre's stars Rajeev Khandelwal, Joy Sengupta and Pawan Chopra believe that this is a day of reflection on what masculinity truly means and if popular culture can break gender stereotypes. And if men need a specially designated day at all? Rajeev Khandelwal responds, "I think it is important to celebrate Men’s Day because it can make them realize that they are looked up to for what they stand for. Higher self-esteem will make them want to earn respect which in turn may reduce the crimes against women. Also just celebrating Women’s Day can also mean that women are the weaker lot and they need a dedicated day in a year to feel special." He believes popular culture can help break stereotypes associated with masculinity and adds, "Times have changed and popular culture needs to reflect the more progressive and mature side of men. Even a little shift in the portrayal of men can have a huge ripple effect through society. Thankfully, we are now beginning to see that men can be vulnerable too. Men too have started accepting gender equality and this is a welcome shift." Pawan Chopra adds, "Popular culture no longer shows that men are omnipotent and that women are simply wallflowers. Men today are more collaborative and are able to work with strong women who are dominating various professions. Even within families, a man is no longer the ultimate authority and everyone has a voice. This evolution is good because the happiness of both genders is needed to provide stability to society." Joy Sen Gupta thinks, popular culture has depicted both men and women in stereotypical ways and also subverted cliches about masculinity and femininity. He opines, "Women today can be avenging angels, action heroines leading armies to conquer galaxies and men need not be just hyper-masculine, misogynistic action heroes but also sensitive poets, academicians, artists and intellectuals. Big blockbusters though still have all the all-conquering hyper-masculine men, projecting machismo at different levels." From the beginning of evolution, he says, men have used their physical strength to dominate and exploit women and adds, " From the feudal times onwards, women have been treated as property and objects of pleasure and have gone through unimaginable misery. Today women are staking their claim to their share of volition and that claim is celebrated as International Women’s Day. I don't know what men are staking their claim on via International Men's Day but if the day signifies that men should be more sensitive, more inclusive, and move away from machismo and misogyny, then I am for it."

On International Men's Day, Zee Theatre stars talk about how popular culture moulds perceptions

The UN-designated World Television Day is&nbsp;celebrated on November 21 since December 1996 as a tribute to a powerful, informative and entertaining medium. Join the celebrations commemorating this day with Zee Theatre's sumptuous spread of teleplays that will engage, entertain and enlighten you. 
&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
Here are some emotionally-rich teleplays by Zee Theatre:

Priyambara's 'Barish Ke Akshar' &nbsp;

The teleplay penned by Priyambara begins when Shekhar saves a suicidal stranger Sarasvati and gives her shelter at his home on a rainy night. The two begin to find solace in each other but soon enough Saraswati's past comes back to haunt her. Shekhar too begins to transform into a selfish, egoistic person and Saraswati once again finds herself at the crossroads. Will she be able to rediscover herself and break out of this stifling emotional trap?

The play is directed by Vikas Bahari and stars Amit Baisoya, Rupali Rahul, Namrata Kapoor and NK Pant.

Ranbir Singh's 'Hai Mera Dil'&nbsp;

This adaptation of Norman Barasch and Carroll Moore's Broadway comedy 'Send Me No Flowers' is about a hypochondriac husband who is convinced that he is going to die soon of a heart ailment and decides to find the perfect partner for his wife without letting her know. Things however spiral out of his control when his wife eventually starts accusing him of infidelity. This long-running play originally directed by late theatre stalwart Dinesh Thakur is helmed by Preeta Mathur Thakur.

It stars Preeta Mathur herself, Aman Gupta, Atul Mathur, Shankar Iyer, Gunjan Sinha, Saurabh Chauhan, Jai Prakash Jha and Payal Jaiswal.

&nbsp;Jaywant Dalvi's 'Chanda Ha Tu'&nbsp;

This poignant play outlines the struggles that parents of physically challenged children face every single day. It is also a moving depiction of their resilience and unflinching love. The protagonists of the story are Mr and Mrs Shukla who juggle work and share the responsibility of caring for their differently-abled son Bachu. Despite facing mental health challenges and financial worries, how they navigate the difficulties of their life and still manage to do their best is what makes this teleplay so heartwarming.

The filming director is the late Nishikant Kamat and the plays stars Smita Bansal, Manav Gohil, Sanjay Batra, Prasad Barve and Atul &nbsp;Parchure.

Jaywant Dalvi's 'Sandhya Chhaya'&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Marathi playwright Jaywant Dalvi's 'Sandhya Chhaya' was first published in 1973 and since then has acquired a cult status as a modern classic about the loneliness of old age. &nbsp;The story sheds light on a common phenomenon during the 70s when young Indians left their parental homes to find opportunities elsewhere during and after the emergency. The play delineates the plight of the old parents who were left alone to cope with the prolonged absence of their children. The protagonists live in eternal hope that their two sons will come soon to live with them and try to console each other somehow.

The play stars Uttara Baokar, Deepak Qazir and Vinnay Vishwa. It has been directed by &nbsp;Ishan Trivedi.

The UN-designated World Television Day is celebrated on November 21 since December 1996 as a tribute to a powerful, informative and entertaining medium. Join the celebrations commemorating this day with Zee Theatre's sumptuous spread of teleplays that will engage, entertain and enlighten you.

The UN-designated World Television Day is celebrated on November 21 since December 1996 as a tribute to a powerful, informative and entertaining medium. Join the celebrations commemorating this day with Zee Theatre's sumptuous spread of teleplays that will engage, entertain and enlighten you. Here are some emotionally-rich teleplays by Zee Theatre: Priyambara's 'Barish Ke Akshar' The teleplay penned by Priyambara begins when Shekhar saves a suicidal stranger Sarasvati and gives her shelter at his home on a rainy night. The two begin to find solace in each other but soon enough Saraswati's past comes back to haunt her. Shekhar too begins to transform into a selfish, egoistic person and Saraswati once again finds herself at the crossroads. Will she be able to rediscover herself and break out of this stifling emotional trap? The play is directed by Vikas Bahari and stars Amit Baisoya, Rupali Rahul, Namrata Kapoor and NK Pant. Ranbir Singh's 'Hai Mera Dil' This adaptation of Norman Barasch and Carroll Moore's Broadway comedy 'Send Me No Flowers' is about a hypochondriac husband who is convinced that he is going to die soon of a heart ailment and decides to find the perfect partner for his wife without letting her know. Things however spiral out of his control when his wife eventually starts accusing him of infidelity. This long-running play originally directed by late theatre stalwart Dinesh Thakur is helmed by Preeta Mathur Thakur. It stars Preeta Mathur herself, Aman Gupta, Atul Mathur, Shankar Iyer, Gunjan Sinha, Saurabh Chauhan, Jai Prakash Jha and Payal Jaiswal. Jaywant Dalvi's 'Chanda Ha Tu' This poignant play outlines the struggles that parents of physically challenged children face every single day. It is also a moving depiction of their resilience and unflinching love. The protagonists of the story are Mr and Mrs Shukla who juggle work and share the responsibility of caring for their differently-abled son Bachu. Despite facing mental health challenges and financial worries, how they navigate the difficulties of their life and still manage to do their best is what makes this teleplay so heartwarming. The filming director is the late Nishikant Kamat and the plays stars Smita Bansal, Manav Gohil, Sanjay Batra, Prasad Barve and Atul Parchure. Jaywant Dalvi's 'Sandhya Chhaya' Marathi playwright Jaywant Dalvi's 'Sandhya Chhaya' was first published in 1973 and since then has acquired a cult status as a modern classic about the loneliness of old age. The story sheds light on a common phenomenon during the 70s when young Indians left their parental homes to find opportunities elsewhere during and after the emergency. The play delineates the plight of the old parents who were left alone to cope with the prolonged absence of their children. The protagonists live in eternal hope that their two sons will come soon to live with them and try to console each other somehow. The play stars Uttara Baokar, Deepak Qazir and Vinnay Vishwa. It has been directed by Ishan Trivedi.

Celebrate World Television Day with these Zee Theatre teleplays

As India celebrates&nbsp;Children's Day on November 14, here's what you shouldn't miss. From&nbsp;‘Shyam Ki Mummy’, ‘Maya: Find Your Light’, to&nbsp;‘Daak Ghar’, Zee Theatre brings an exciting offering for the little ones.&nbsp;

Plays for children are a less explored genre though veterans like PL Deshpande, Qudsia Zaidi, Sai Paranjpye, Poile Sengupta and even Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, among others have done their bit in different epochs to tell enriching stories to a younger audience. &nbsp;

An overview:&nbsp;

Ashok Patole's 'Shyam Ki Mummy’

Noted Marathi playwright, Ashok Patole, known for plays like ‘Maa Retire Hoti Hai’ and ‘Ek Chavat Sandhyakaal’ has always incorporated socially relevant messages in his work and ‘Shyam Ki Mummy’ is no different. Jointly directed by Dnyanesh Bhalekar and Purshottam Berde, the play is a take on the flaws of the modern education system, and depicts how a 12th grader, Shyam, is denied fun and joy in the pursuit of the highest rank in his Board exams. His mother, a bank officer, even takes an annual leave to monitor her child! Watch the play to see the ‘result’ of these hectic exam preparations.

The play stars Nirmiti Sawant, Milind Phatak, Dharmaj Joshi, Rahul Kumar, and Sayali Sudhakar. 
&nbsp; 
Shaheen Mistri's 'Maya: Find Your Light'

Who does not want to travel to a charmed wonderland? This transportive, musical and motivational play written by Shaheen Mistri &nbsp;sets our imagination free with the story of 13-year-old Maya. She is the princess of the ‘Kingdom of Light’ and is entrusted with the responsibility of defeating the evil king of darkness. Accompanied by a goofy peacock, and a beloved snake, she undertakes a journey that &nbsp;eventually becomes a life-transforming experience for her. The play, entirely enacted by child artists, portrays the importance of 'finding your light', trusting one’s voice, believing in yourself, and being brave irrespective of the odds. &nbsp;

Jointly directed by Sanaya Bharucha and Laurent Festas, it stars Khushi Chauhan, Prasad Kela, Priyanka Patil, Rutuja Bhoite, Shlok Sadlapurka, Yash Agarwal, and Aniket Sahani.

Rabindranath Tagore's 'Daak Ghar'

Rabindranath Tagore created seminal literary works for children and ‘Daak Ghar’ is one such poignant play. &nbsp;Written in 1912, it is set in rural Bengal and delves into the psyche of an orphan boy, Amal, who is suffering from an incurable disease. His only contact with the outside world is a &nbsp;window &nbsp;and one day, he gets to know about a ‘Daak Ghar’ or a post office that the King will be opening near his house. Instantly, he begins to dream of &nbsp;becoming a postmaster and to meet the King. &nbsp;Watch the play to know if Amal's wish ever comes true.

Directed by the National Award-winning director, Nagesh Kukunoor, the play stars Krrish Chhabria, Saurabh Goel, Kumar Rajput, Kishor Chandra Srivastava, and Anupriya Goenka.

&nbsp;

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

As India celebrates Children's Day on November 14, here's what you shouldn't miss. From ‘Shyam Ki Mummy’, ‘Maya: Find Your Light’, to ‘Daak Ghar’, Zee Theatre brings an exciting offering for the little ones.

As India celebrates Children's Day on November 14, here's what you shouldn't miss. From ‘Shyam Ki Mummy’, ‘Maya: Find Your Light’, to ‘Daak Ghar’, Zee Theatre brings an exciting offering for the little ones. Plays for children are a less explored genre though veterans like PL Deshpande, Qudsia Zaidi, Sai Paranjpye, Poile Sengupta and even Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, among others have done their bit in different epochs to tell enriching stories to a younger audience. An overview: Ashok Patole's 'Shyam Ki Mummy’ Noted Marathi playwright, Ashok Patole, known for plays like ‘Maa Retire Hoti Hai’ and ‘Ek Chavat Sandhyakaal’ has always incorporated socially relevant messages in his work and ‘Shyam Ki Mummy’ is no different. Jointly directed by Dnyanesh Bhalekar and Purshottam Berde, the play is a take on the flaws of the modern education system, and depicts how a 12th grader, Shyam, is denied fun and joy in the pursuit of the highest rank in his Board exams. His mother, a bank officer, even takes an annual leave to monitor her child! Watch the play to see the ‘result’ of these hectic exam preparations. The play stars Nirmiti Sawant, Milind Phatak, Dharmaj Joshi, Rahul Kumar, and Sayali Sudhakar. Shaheen Mistri's 'Maya: Find Your Light' Who does not want to travel to a charmed wonderland? This transportive, musical and motivational play written by Shaheen Mistri sets our imagination free with the story of 13-year-old Maya. She is the princess of the ‘Kingdom of Light’ and is entrusted with the responsibility of defeating the evil king of darkness. Accompanied by a goofy peacock, and a beloved snake, she undertakes a journey that eventually becomes a life-transforming experience for her. The play, entirely enacted by child artists, portrays the importance of 'finding your light', trusting one’s voice, believing in yourself, and being brave irrespective of the odds. Jointly directed by Sanaya Bharucha and Laurent Festas, it stars Khushi Chauhan, Prasad Kela, Priyanka Patil, Rutuja Bhoite, Shlok Sadlapurka, Yash Agarwal, and Aniket Sahani. Rabindranath Tagore's 'Daak Ghar' Rabindranath Tagore created seminal literary works for children and ‘Daak Ghar’ is one such poignant play. Written in 1912, it is set in rural Bengal and delves into the psyche of an orphan boy, Amal, who is suffering from an incurable disease. His only contact with the outside world is a window and one day, he gets to know about a ‘Daak Ghar’ or a post office that the King will be opening near his house. Instantly, he begins to dream of becoming a postmaster and to meet the King. Watch the play to know if Amal's wish ever comes true. Directed by the National Award-winning director, Nagesh Kukunoor, the play stars Krrish Chhabria, Saurabh Goel, Kumar Rajput, Kishor Chandra Srivastava, and Anupriya Goenka.

Rekindle the innocence of childhood with Zee Theatre’s specially curated teleplays

Zee Theatre brings to its audience yet another path-breaking series of dramatic readings. Titled 'Koi Baat Chale', the series features&nbsp;six stories that will begin with Saadat Hasan Manto's 'Toba Tek Singh' and 'Hatak' narrated by Manoj Pahwa and Sadiya Siddiqui respectively. These will be followed by Harishankar Parsai’s ‘Ek Film Katha’, a satire on run-of-the-mill Hindi cinema (narrated by Gopal Datt), Manto's 'Mammad Bhai,' the tale of a Robin Hood-like character (narrated by Vineet Singh) and Munshi Premchand‘s famous stories. 'Gulli Danda' and 'Idgah' (narrated by Vivaan Shah and Vinay Pathak respectively).&nbsp;

Helmed by veteran actor and director Seema Pahwa, this series will air&nbsp;on November 19.

Shailja Kejriwal, Chief Creative Officer - Special Projects, ZEEL, shares the core idea behind the series and says, "Stories like these are an opportunity to celebrate and rediscover great writers and to see how their brilliance and insight made sense of not just the past but also presaged the future. Narrating these stories brings back the joy of storytelling in our lives in a more intimate way at a time when visuals are taking over the beauty of the written word in its purest form. Also, the themes of the stories we have picked are timeless and will open a door for younger audiences to rediscover their own literary heritage."

Director Seema Pahwa agrees, “I was focussed not just on how stories are presented visually but how they are written. I love that moment of alchemy when a text comes alive in the voice of an actor. &nbsp;I believe that these stories are not just about the past but also about the present and probably the future. For instance, 'Toba Tek Singh' is not just about Partition but what happens when hate and division take over sanity and peace. Similarly, 'Hatak' is about gender questions, the way women are turned into commodities and the invincibility of feminine power. These stories still ring true and that is why it is important to retell them to the new generation."&nbsp;

The two stories will air&nbsp;on Dish TV &amp; D2H Rangmanch and Airtel Theatre on &nbsp;November 27 at 2 pm and 8 pm respectively.

&nbsp;

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

Zee Theatre brings to its audience yet another path-breaking series of dramatic readings. Titled 'Koi Baat Chale', the series features six stories that will begin with Saadat Hasan Manto's 'Toba Tek Singh' and 'Hatak' narrated by Manoj Pahwa and Sadiya Siddiqui respectively.

Zee Theatre brings to its audience yet another path-breaking series of dramatic readings. Titled 'Koi Baat Chale', the series features six stories that will begin with Saadat Hasan Manto's 'Toba Tek Singh' and 'Hatak' narrated by Manoj Pahwa and Sadiya Siddiqui respectively. These will be followed by Harishankar Parsai’s ‘Ek Film Katha’, a satire on run-of-the-mill Hindi cinema (narrated by Gopal Datt), Manto's 'Mammad Bhai,' the tale of a Robin Hood-like character (narrated by Vineet Singh) and Munshi Premchand‘s famous stories. 'Gulli Danda' and 'Idgah' (narrated by Vivaan Shah and Vinay Pathak respectively). Helmed by veteran actor and director Seema Pahwa, this series will air on November 19. Shailja Kejriwal, Chief Creative Officer - Special Projects, ZEEL, shares the core idea behind the series and says, "Stories like these are an opportunity to celebrate and rediscover great writers and to see how their brilliance and insight made sense of not just the past but also presaged the future. Narrating these stories brings back the joy of storytelling in our lives in a more intimate way at a time when visuals are taking over the beauty of the written word in its purest form. Also, the themes of the stories we have picked are timeless and will open a door for younger audiences to rediscover their own literary heritage." Director Seema Pahwa agrees, “I was focussed not just on how stories are presented visually but how they are written. I love that moment of alchemy when a text comes alive in the voice of an actor. I believe that these stories are not just about the past but also about the present and probably the future. For instance, 'Toba Tek Singh' is not just about Partition but what happens when hate and division take over sanity and peace. Similarly, 'Hatak' is about gender questions, the way women are turned into commodities and the invincibility of feminine power. These stories still ring true and that is why it is important to retell them to the new generation." The two stories will air on Dish TV & D2H Rangmanch and Airtel Theatre on November 27 at 2 pm and 8 pm respectively.

Zee Theatre presents, 'Koi Baat Chale', a series of classic stories directed by Seema Pahwa

Laughter, it is said, is the medicine of the soul and that is perhaps why World Laughter Day is annually celebrated to raise awareness about the healing benefits of laughter.

To celebrate the bright side of life on this special day, Zee Theatre brings you two uproarious entertainers; 'The Relationship Agreement' and 'Piya Behrupiya.' &nbsp;Though different in tonality, they have one thing in common. Their comedic plots are packed with witty lines, memorable characters, and an abundance of joy. 
&nbsp; 
An overview: 
&nbsp; 
The Relationship Agreement

This teleplay is a witty take on modern relationships and delineates the futility of trying to micromanage love. On one hand, is a young couple that draws up a relationship contract to avoid the pitfalls of love and on the other hand, is their parents who meet on social media and initiate a freewheeling dating life. What happens when the two perspectives collide is what makes the play a wholesome entertainer. The teleplay stars Sumona Chakravarty, Sajeel Parakh, Darius Shroff, and Pheroza Mody and is directed by Meherzad Patel. It will be screened on TataPlay Theatre.&nbsp;

Piya Behrupiya

Director Atul Kumar's musical entertainer is guaranteed to bring on hearty laughter with its multiple storylines, mistaken identities, and loads of comic twists. &nbsp;This adaptation of Shakespeare’s timeless comedy ‘Twelfth Night’ has been performed many times in India and abroad to great acclaim. It is now considered to be a modern classic thanks to its foot-tapping fusion music and its evergreen tale of love where Duke Orsino pines for Olivia, Olivia longs for Cesario, and Cesario, who is, in fact, Viola in a man’s disguise, wants to win over the Duke! The teleplay stars Geetanjali Kulkarni, Amitosh Nagpal, Sagar Deshmukh, Mansi Multani, Mantra Mugdh, Gagan Riar, Neha Saraf, Trupti Khamkar and Saurabh Nayar. The teleplay version of 'Piya Behrupia' is directed by Swapna Waghmare Joshi and will be screened on Dish and D2H Rangmanch Active and Airtel Spotlight.

Laughter, it is said, is the medicine of the soul and that is perhaps why World Laughter Day is annually celebrated to raise awareness about the healing benefits of laughter.

Laughter, it is said, is the medicine of the soul and that is perhaps why World Laughter Day is annually celebrated to raise awareness about the healing benefits of laughter. To celebrate the bright side of life on this special day, Zee Theatre brings you two uproarious entertainers; 'The Relationship Agreement' and 'Piya Behrupiya.' Though different in tonality, they have one thing in common. Their comedic plots are packed with witty lines, memorable characters, and an abundance of joy. An overview: The Relationship Agreement This teleplay is a witty take on modern relationships and delineates the futility of trying to micromanage love. On one hand, is a young couple that draws up a relationship contract to avoid the pitfalls of love and on the other hand, is their parents who meet on social media and initiate a freewheeling dating life. What happens when the two perspectives collide is what makes the play a wholesome entertainer. The teleplay stars Sumona Chakravarty, Sajeel Parakh, Darius Shroff, and Pheroza Mody and is directed by Meherzad Patel. It will be screened on TataPlay Theatre. Piya Behrupiya Director Atul Kumar's musical entertainer is guaranteed to bring on hearty laughter with its multiple storylines, mistaken identities, and loads of comic twists. This adaptation of Shakespeare’s timeless comedy ‘Twelfth Night’ has been performed many times in India and abroad to great acclaim. It is now considered to be a modern classic thanks to its foot-tapping fusion music and its evergreen tale of love where Duke Orsino pines for Olivia, Olivia longs for Cesario, and Cesario, who is, in fact, Viola in a man’s disguise, wants to win over the Duke! The teleplay stars Geetanjali Kulkarni, Amitosh Nagpal, Sagar Deshmukh, Mansi Multani, Mantra Mugdh, Gagan Riar, Neha Saraf, Trupti Khamkar and Saurabh Nayar. The teleplay version of 'Piya Behrupia' is directed by Swapna Waghmare Joshi and will be screened on Dish and D2H Rangmanch Active and Airtel Spotlight.

Enjoy Zee Theatre's rib-tickling offerings on World Laughter Day

Zee Theatre announces its latest teleplay, 'Daag-O-Hijaab' which is based on an autobiographical chapter from iconic poet Daagh Dehlvi's life and is a soulful tribute to his poetry and passion. Headlined by veteran actor Shahbaz Khan, it is richly layered with personal anecdotes and will provide an insight into Daagh's creativity and personality. &nbsp;

'Daag-O-Hijaab' &nbsp;also touches upon the lesser-known aspects of Daagh's life including his love for courtesan Munni Bai against the wishes of Nawab Haidar Ali Khan of Rampur. This is a tale of intense passion and possession where the name, fame, and glory of a creative man is up against the might of a powerful ruler. Watch the teleplay to learn if the poet is able to win the game of love.

Though Daagh passed away in 1905, his romantic poetry has been immortalised by legendary singers like Noor Jahan, Ghulam Ali, Mehdi Hasaan, Farida Khanum, Abida Parveen, Begum Akhtar, Jagjit Singh, and many more. &nbsp;

Shahbaz Khan plays Daagh with requisite gravitas and fervour supported by a sterling cast of actors including Payal Goga Kapoor, Sufi Sayyad, Hemant Soni, Satyendra Chauhan, Dipti Rajvanshi and Mithilesh Chaturvedi. The play is directed by Satyendra Chauhan.

Zee Theatre announces its latest teleplay, 'Daag-O-Hijaab' which is based on an autobiographical chapter from iconic poet Daagh Dehlvi's life and is a soulful tribute to his poetry and passion.

Zee Theatre announces its latest teleplay, 'Daag-O-Hijaab' which is based on an autobiographical chapter from iconic poet Daagh Dehlvi's life and is a soulful tribute to his poetry and passion. Headlined by veteran actor Shahbaz Khan, it is richly layered with personal anecdotes and will provide an insight into Daagh's creativity and personality. 'Daag-O-Hijaab' also touches upon the lesser-known aspects of Daagh's life including his love for courtesan Munni Bai against the wishes of Nawab Haidar Ali Khan of Rampur. This is a tale of intense passion and possession where the name, fame, and glory of a creative man is up against the might of a powerful ruler. Watch the teleplay to learn if the poet is able to win the game of love. Though Daagh passed away in 1905, his romantic poetry has been immortalised by legendary singers like Noor Jahan, Ghulam Ali, Mehdi Hasaan, Farida Khanum, Abida Parveen, Begum Akhtar, Jagjit Singh, and many more. Shahbaz Khan plays Daagh with requisite gravitas and fervour supported by a sterling cast of actors including Payal Goga Kapoor, Sufi Sayyad, Hemant Soni, Satyendra Chauhan, Dipti Rajvanshi and Mithilesh Chaturvedi. The play is directed by Satyendra Chauhan.

Zee Theatre announces ‘Daag-O-Hijab’, a soulful tribute to Daagh Delvi

On Ambedkar Jayanti, well-known theatre, film and TV actor Vikram Kochhar grows pensive as he discusses ‘State vs Malti Mhaske’, a Zee Theatre presentation exploring deep-seated caste divisions in society.

While working on the play, he went through many wrenching emotions. He says, “As an actor, if you're emoting a story as visceral as this, it hits you hard and sensitises you to the inequities in society. Division of caste emerged from human occupations but acquired an ugly, hierarchical tone subsequently. Dr. B R Ambedkar raised his voice against this caste based apartheid but the situation hasn't changed much despite our Constitution's emphasis on fundamental equality of all citizens. Discrimination is like a virus and keeps mutating and acquiring different avatars. Just to satisfy their personal quest for power and privilege, people tend to discriminate and inequality becomes systemic." &nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
'State vs Malti Mhaske' is directed by Nikhil Mahajan, and also stars Divya Menon, Sagar Deshmukh and Smit Tambe. It will be screened on Dish and D2H Rangmanch Active and Airtel Spotlight on April 14th at 2 pm and 6 pm and is a riveting adaptation of American playwright and scholar Gary Earl Ross' award-winning courtroom drama, 'Matter of Intent.' &nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Talking about the storyline of the play, Vikram adds that the play is about a 20-year-old Dalit house keeper who is accused of murdering her upper-caste employee but it manages to addresses the problem of casteism and systemic discrimination in a very symbolic way.

On Ambedkar Jayanti, well-known theatre, film and TV actor Vikram Kochhar grows pensive as he discusses ‘State vs Malti Mhaske’, a Zee Theatre presentation exploring deep-seated caste divisions in society.

On Ambedkar Jayanti, well-known theatre, film and TV actor Vikram Kochhar grows pensive as he discusses ‘State vs Malti Mhaske’, a Zee Theatre presentation exploring deep-seated caste divisions in society. While working on the play, he went through many wrenching emotions. He says, “As an actor, if you're emoting a story as visceral as this, it hits you hard and sensitises you to the inequities in society. Division of caste emerged from human occupations but acquired an ugly, hierarchical tone subsequently. Dr. B R Ambedkar raised his voice against this caste based apartheid but the situation hasn't changed much despite our Constitution's emphasis on fundamental equality of all citizens. Discrimination is like a virus and keeps mutating and acquiring different avatars. Just to satisfy their personal quest for power and privilege, people tend to discriminate and inequality becomes systemic." 'State vs Malti Mhaske' is directed by Nikhil Mahajan, and also stars Divya Menon, Sagar Deshmukh and Smit Tambe. It will be screened on Dish and D2H Rangmanch Active and Airtel Spotlight on April 14th at 2 pm and 6 pm and is a riveting adaptation of American playwright and scholar Gary Earl Ross' award-winning courtroom drama, 'Matter of Intent.' Talking about the storyline of the play, Vikram adds that the play is about a 20-year-old Dalit house keeper who is accused of murdering her upper-caste employee but it manages to addresses the problem of casteism and systemic discrimination in a very symbolic way.

Caste-based discrimination is like a virus: Zee Theatre's Vikram Kochhar

If the syncretic beauty of India could be summed up in one phrase, it would be 'Aaj Rang Hai'. This is the name of a qawwali written by the 13th-century Sufi poet, Amir Khusrau in Hindavi and Braj Bhasha dialects. Sufi poetry and the composite richness of Hindustani classical music inspired writer, musician, actor, and director Purva Naresh to write a play about communal harmony against the backdrop of Holi. And she named it, 'Aaj Rang Hai.' &nbsp;

Discussing the core idea behind the play in which she also acts, Purva says, "The play traverses a long path from Sufi poetry to violent communal divisions and while celebrating the shared cultural heritage or 'Sanjhi Virasat' of India, also demonstrates how destructive hate can be. The story revolves around Beni Bai, a baithak singer and her neighbours who come from different faiths and live harmoniously till a riot tears their world apart. While writing this play, I imagined a world of love and peace where many shades of humanity can intermingle harmoniously just like the colours of Holi."&nbsp;

About the twin themes of love and polarity in the play, she says, "The play is a prayer for peace and harmony and depicts how art and music can unify and heal us. Peace is the ultimate power. All wars are fought for power in utter ignorance. If we want to survive as a species, we will have to embrace tolerance, diversity and non-violence. We have no future without communal harmony. I pray for it. And long for it."

&nbsp;'Aaj Rang Hai' also stars Trishla Patel, Sarika Singh, Prerna Chawla, Nishi Doshi, Pawan Uttam, Imran Rasheed, Hidayat Sami and Danish Hussain.&nbsp;

If the syncretic beauty of India could be summed up in one phrase, it would be 'Aaj Rang Hai'. This is the name of a qawwali written by the 13th-century Sufi poet, Amir Khusrau in Hindavi and Braj Bhasha dialects.

If the syncretic beauty of India could be summed up in one phrase, it would be 'Aaj Rang Hai'. This is the name of a qawwali written by the 13th-century Sufi poet, Amir Khusrau in Hindavi and Braj Bhasha dialects. Sufi poetry and the composite richness of Hindustani classical music inspired writer, musician, actor, and director Purva Naresh to write a play about communal harmony against the backdrop of Holi. And she named it, 'Aaj Rang Hai.' Discussing the core idea behind the play in which she also acts, Purva says, "The play traverses a long path from Sufi poetry to violent communal divisions and while celebrating the shared cultural heritage or 'Sanjhi Virasat' of India, also demonstrates how destructive hate can be. The story revolves around Beni Bai, a baithak singer and her neighbours who come from different faiths and live harmoniously till a riot tears their world apart. While writing this play, I imagined a world of love and peace where many shades of humanity can intermingle harmoniously just like the colours of Holi." About the twin themes of love and polarity in the play, she says, "The play is a prayer for peace and harmony and depicts how art and music can unify and heal us. Peace is the ultimate power. All wars are fought for power in utter ignorance. If we want to survive as a species, we will have to embrace tolerance, diversity and non-violence. We have no future without communal harmony. I pray for it. And long for it." 'Aaj Rang Hai' also stars Trishla Patel, Sarika Singh, Prerna Chawla, Nishi Doshi, Pawan Uttam, Imran Rasheed, Hidayat Sami and Danish Hussain.

Peace, power and the underlying theme of Zee Theatre's musical ‘Aaj Rang Hai’

Zee Theatre's teleplay 'Kaand' unfolds against the backdrop of a setting where abductions, rapes and gender crimes are common. The play is set in Delhi, the national capital and follows two policemen as they combat the monsters that roam the streets while battling the more dangerous demons within.

The Akarsh Khurana directorial&nbsp;stars Taaruk Raina in a key role. He says,&nbsp;"The plot is about personal demons that co-exist with social evils. It can be emotionally exhausting to work in an intense play like this but the craft &nbsp;eventually becomes a part of muscle memory. It also helps when fellow actors demonstrate by example how to tackle &nbsp;a story as complex as this one."

As an artist and a socially aware person, he also learnt a lot from the narrative.&nbsp;"The characters, what they go through, their suffering and resilience showed me that everything is transient in life. The play also depicts that today everyone &nbsp;is dispensable. No matter what happens and how big a tragedy may be, life goes on, and people move on. 'Kaand' &nbsp;also underscores what we already know. That &nbsp;women should be able to feel safe at every point and at all times, not as a privilege, but as a matter of course. Safety is &nbsp;something &nbsp;basic and fundamental and they should not have to struggle for it," he explains.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-priyanka-chopra-on-ukraine-russia-crisis-%E2%80%98there-are-innocent-lives-in-this-war-zone%E2%80%99-456435" hreflang="en">Priyanka Chopra on Ukraine-Russia crisis: ‘There are innocent lives in this war zone’</a> 
&nbsp; 
As a performer, Taaruk enjoys the stage more. He says,&nbsp;"Theatre by far is the most rewarding experience and the camera simply doesn’t nourish the actor within, the same way. That being said, one isn’t easier than the other. On stage, you can get away with a minor misstep but on camera, you can’t as it captures every little detail. At the same time the stage doesn’t offer you a second chance while you can correct yourself multiple times during filming."

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&nbsp; 
'Kaand' is directed by Akarsh Khurana and stars Shubhrajyoti Barat, Abhay Joshi, Nidhi Singh, Lisha Bajaj, &nbsp;Ghanshyam Lalsa, &nbsp;Navendra Mishra and Adhir Bhat.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/pics-bollywood-celebs-party-at-farhan-akhtar-shibani-dandekar-post-wedding-bash-456394" hreflang="en">Pics: Bollywood celebs party at Farhan Akhtar-Shibani Dandekar post-wedding bash</a>

Zee Theatre's teleplay 'Kaand' unfolds against the backdrop of a setting where abductions, rapes and gender crimes are common. The play is set in Delhi, the national capital and follows two policemen as they combat the monsters that roam the streets while battling the more dangerous demons within.

Zee Theatre's teleplay 'Kaand' unfolds against the backdrop of a setting where abductions, rapes and gender crimes are common. The play is set in Delhi, the national capital and follows two policemen as they combat the monsters that roam the streets while battling the more dangerous demons within. The Akarsh Khurana directorial stars Taaruk Raina in a key role. He says, "The plot is about personal demons that co-exist with social evils. It can be emotionally exhausting to work in an intense play like this but the craft eventually becomes a part of muscle memory. It also helps when fellow actors demonstrate by example how to tackle a story as complex as this one." As an artist and a socially aware person, he also learnt a lot from the narrative. "The characters, what they go through, their suffering and resilience showed me that everything is transient in life. The play also depicts that today everyone is dispensable. No matter what happens and how big a tragedy may be, life goes on, and people move on. 'Kaand' also underscores what we already know. That women should be able to feel safe at every point and at all times, not as a privilege, but as a matter of course. Safety is something basic and fundamental and they should not have to struggle for it," he explains. Priyanka Chopra on Ukraine-Russia crisis: ‘There are innocent lives in this war zone’ As a performer, Taaruk enjoys the stage more. He says, "Theatre by far is the most rewarding experience and the camera simply doesn’t nourish the actor within, the same way. That being said, one isn’t easier than the other. On stage, you can get away with a minor misstep but on camera, you can’t as it captures every little detail. At the same time the stage doesn’t offer you a second chance while you can correct yourself multiple times during filming." Bollywood films & their love for real life gangsters: Gangubai Kathiawadi to Haseena Parkar 'Kaand' is directed by Akarsh Khurana and stars Shubhrajyoti Barat, Abhay Joshi, Nidhi Singh, Lisha Bajaj, Ghanshyam Lalsa, Navendra Mishra and Adhir Bhat. Pics: Bollywood celebs party at Farhan Akhtar-Shibani Dandekar post-wedding bash

Zee Theatre's 'Kaand' is about personal demons that co-exist with social evils: Taaruk

Every year Makar Sankranti is celebrated in India to signal the beginning of the harvest season and the end of winter. As the country gears up again to welcome joy and abundance with kite flying, bonfires, and the sweetness of til laddoos, Zee Theatre actors Dilnaz Irani and Shilpa Tulaskar cannot help getting nostalgic about family festivities they once enjoyed as children.

Dilnaz Irani who plays the lead role in the Zee Theatre teleplay, 'Shireen Shah' says, "I remember the time we used to stay on the top floor of an old building and we had access to a &nbsp;huge terrace. It was like a mini playground and I just loved going there during Sankranti just to see the vivid colours of the countless, gorgeous kites in the sky. It was so much fun to bask in that palpable energy and to see the competitive spirit among the residents as they tried to "cut" the kites of one another. I was an accident-prone kid and so I wasn't allowed to fly a kite but every time an opponent's kite fell, I would&nbsp;run to find it and bring it back!"

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-vicky-kaushal-katrina-kaif-celebrate-first-lohri-together-after-wedding-share-pictures-444617" hreflang="en">Vicky Kaushal, Katrina Kaif celebrate first Lohri together after wedding, share pictures</a> 
&nbsp; 
Those days may have gone forever but the ritual of enjoying 'til and gur' (sesame seeds and jaggery) sweets during this season continues. She adds,&nbsp;"My grandmother used to make these amazing laddoos and I would wait patiently by her side, only to pounce on them the minute they were ready. Later as she got older and couldn't make them, &nbsp;she would buy them for me. And now she has passed on but in her memory, every year during this time, I buy &nbsp;various kinds of til laddoos in the hope that one of them would taste like hers."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-britney-spears-slams-sister-jamie-lynn-she-never-had-to-work-for-anything-everything-was-always-given-to-her-444579" hreflang="en">Britney Spears slams sister Jamie Lynn: She never had to work for anything, everything was always given to her</a> 
&nbsp; 
Shilpa Tulaskar who stars in the Zee Theatre teleplay 'Savita Damodar Paranjape' says, "I have this beautiful memory of my mother getting ready for an early morning office shift but still making time to decorate &nbsp;beautiful earthen pots and to do &nbsp;Sankranti pooja. I even recall trying unsuccessfully to plant saplings in these pots and then painting them, &nbsp;eventually breaking one of them and getting &nbsp;a scolding from her! &nbsp;And of course, who can forget the taste of 'til and gur' ladoos and the joy of sharing them with friends. They continued to show up in my school tiffins from January to February because those were the times when we ate seasonal grains."

<h2><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-kylie-jenner-makes-history-becomes-first-woman-to-reach-300-million-instagram-followers-444358" hreflang="en">Kylie Jenner makes history! Becomes first woman to reach 300 million Instagram followers</a></h2>

Shilpa says she has continued with that tradition even today and adds, "I sometimes miss doing the pooja but I never miss making the ladoos at home during &nbsp;Makar Sankranti. And if I am too busy, I buy them from a person who makes them at home. My children eat &nbsp;them and I also &nbsp;love &nbsp;sharing them with colleagues during shoots. I also love the greeting,'Tilgul ghya,god god bola' which is basically a message to add sweetness to your own life &nbsp;and the lives of others. I was fortunate enough to be in Ahmedabad a couple of years back for a shoot, and &nbsp;actually got a chance to witness the beautiful kite flying season. It's one of my fondest memories of Makar Sankranti."

Every year Makar Sankranti is celebrated in India to signal the beginning of the harvest season and the end of winter. As the country gears up again to welcome joy and abundance with kite flying, bonfires, and the sweetness of til laddoos, Zee Theatre actors Dilnaz Irani and Shilpa Tulaskar cannot help getting nostalgic about family festivities they once enjoyed as children.

Every year Makar Sankranti is celebrated in India to signal the beginning of the harvest season and the end of winter. As the country gears up again to welcome joy and abundance with kite flying, bonfires, and the sweetness of til laddoos, Zee Theatre actors Dilnaz Irani and Shilpa Tulaskar cannot help getting nostalgic about family festivities they once enjoyed as children. Dilnaz Irani who plays the lead role in the Zee Theatre teleplay, 'Shireen Shah' says, "I remember the time we used to stay on the top floor of an old building and we had access to a huge terrace. It was like a mini playground and I just loved going there during Sankranti just to see the vivid colours of the countless, gorgeous kites in the sky. It was so much fun to bask in that palpable energy and to see the competitive spirit among the residents as they tried to "cut" the kites of one another. I was an accident-prone kid and so I wasn't allowed to fly a kite but every time an opponent's kite fell, I would run to find it and bring it back!" Vicky Kaushal, Katrina Kaif celebrate first Lohri together after wedding, share pictures Those days may have gone forever but the ritual of enjoying 'til and gur' (sesame seeds and jaggery) sweets during this season continues. She adds, "My grandmother used to make these amazing laddoos and I would wait patiently by her side, only to pounce on them the minute they were ready. Later as she got older and couldn't make them, she would buy them for me. And now she has passed on but in her memory, every year during this time, I buy various kinds of til laddoos in the hope that one of them would taste like hers." Britney Spears slams sister Jamie Lynn: She never had to work for anything, everything was always given to her Shilpa Tulaskar who stars in the Zee Theatre teleplay 'Savita Damodar Paranjape' says, "I have this beautiful memory of my mother getting ready for an early morning office shift but still making time to decorate beautiful earthen pots and to do Sankranti pooja. I even recall trying unsuccessfully to plant saplings in these pots and then painting them, eventually breaking one of them and getting a scolding from her! And of course, who can forget the taste of 'til and gur' ladoos and the joy of sharing them with friends. They continued to show up in my school tiffins from January to February because those were the times when we ate seasonal grains." Kylie Jenner makes history! Becomes first woman to reach 300 million Instagram followers Shilpa says she has continued with that tradition even today and adds, "I sometimes miss doing the pooja but I never miss making the ladoos at home during Makar Sankranti. And if I am too busy, I buy them from a person who makes them at home. My children eat them and I also love sharing them with colleagues during shoots. I also love the greeting,'Tilgul ghya,god god bola' which is basically a message to add sweetness to your own life and the lives of others. I was fortunate enough to be in Ahmedabad a couple of years back for a shoot, and actually got a chance to witness the beautiful kite flying season. It's one of my fondest memories of Makar Sankranti."

Zee Theatre artists recall their fondest Makar Sankranti memories

As we take stock of the challenges and triumphs of 2021, Zee Theatre brings a yearender special packed with five teleplays. These insightful and relatable stories will be screened from 27&nbsp;to 31&nbsp;December, on Tata Sky Theatre to signal the end of an eventful year.

An overview of the offerings:

Gudiya Ki Shaadi

The teleplay takes a light-hearted jab at the standards of beauty set by society, especially with regards to women. Shweta Basu Prasad plays the lead role Gudiya – a strong and confident girl who is proud of her skin colour and is seldom affected by the judgemental society, but soon her happy-go-lucky life takes an unusual turn on the most important day of her life – the wedding day. A mix-up in the shampoo leads to Gudiya losing her eyebrows and her sweet Indian wedding turns into a pungent comedy of errors. What remains to be seen is if Gudiya will be able to convince everyone to not panic and save her marriage?

The teleplay is directed by Sourabh Shrivastava and stars Shweta Basu Prasad, Virendra Saxena, Samta Sagar, Ishtiyaq Khan, Saroj Sharma, Neha Saraf, Vikram Kochhar and Anveshi Jain.&nbsp;

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/yearender-2021-spider-man-no-way-home-to-hi-mom-10-highest-grossing-movies-of-the-year-439854" hreflang="en">Yearender 2021: 'Spider-Man: No Way Home' to 'Hi Mom': 10 highest grossing movies of the year</a>

White Lily and Night Rider

With the pseudonyms, ‘White Lily’ and ‘Night Rider’, two 30-something individuals build virtual online identities and fall in love with each other. &nbsp;But when they decide to meet in person, things don’t quite go as planned. The teleplay uses humour and irony to highlight the difference between the real and online personalities of people which often leads to mismatched expectations.&nbsp;

It stars Sonali Kulkarni and Milind Phatak and is directed by Swapna Waghmare Joshi.&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-exclusive-in-conversation-with-the-cast-of-qatil-haseenaon-ke-naam-435562/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The Will

‘The Will’ revolves around six youngsters who meet at an ancient mansion in the outskirts of Bhopal in the hope of a large inheritance. Here they are confronted by both the horrors of their past and the mysterious forces that lurk in the dark corners of the house. Set in the 60s, the play promises generous doses of both horror and humour as well as great insights into human nature.

The teleplay stars Brijendra Kala, Anil Charanjeett, Pawan Chopra, Vikram Kochar, Anjum Sharma, and Shriswara and is directed by Akhilesh Jaiswal.&nbsp;

Ladies Sangeet

Directed and written by Purva Naresh, ‘Ladies Sangeet’ is a theatrical treat and a modern classic. The teleplay tells the story of young Radha who is to wed her beau Siddharth at her ancestral home in the hinterlands while her enthusiastic family members and their wedding planner are trying to ensure that the wedding follows every possible Bollywood trope! The play uses wit, humour, music, and drama to bring out extremely relevant challenges faced by families and individuals, especially against the backdrop of a big, fat Indian wedding.&nbsp;

The teleplay stars Joy Sengupta, Loveleen Mishra, Nidhi Singh, Siddhant Karnick, Harsh Khurana, Sarika Singh and Monica Gupta.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-wion-exclusive-bandish-bandits-actor-ritwik-bhowmik-on-his-new-show-whistleblower-a-scam-drama-439088" hreflang="en">WION Exclusive: 'Bandish Bandits' actor Ritwik Bhowmik on his new show 'Whistleblower', a scam drama</a>

Sir Sir Sarla

Writer, director and actor Makarand Deshpande’s much-loved classic, ‘Sir Sir Sarla' is the story of Professor Palekar and his student Sarla – the pretty, innocent young girl who seems to be enamored by her mentor – and Phanidhar who shares a love-hate relationship with the professor. The play explores the bond between the students and their professor, which faces many ebbs and flows. Secrets are revealed, accusations are thrown, and the three lives remain interwoven for many years to come.&nbsp;

The teleplay stars Makarand Deshpande, Aahana Kumra, Sanjay Dadhich and Anjum Sharma.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/yearender-2021-movies-that-brought-audiences-back-to-theatres-439288" hreflang="en">Yearender 2021: Movies that brought audiences back to theatres</a>

As we take stock of the challenges and triumphs of 2021, Zee Theatre brings a yearender special packed with five teleplays. These insightful and relatable stories will be screened from 27 to 31 December, on Tata Sky Theatre to signal the end of an eventful year.

As we take stock of the challenges and triumphs of 2021, Zee Theatre brings a yearender special packed with five teleplays. These insightful and relatable stories will be screened from 27 to 31 December, on Tata Sky Theatre to signal the end of an eventful year. An overview of the offerings: Gudiya Ki Shaadi The teleplay takes a light-hearted jab at the standards of beauty set by society, especially with regards to women. Shweta Basu Prasad plays the lead role Gudiya – a strong and confident girl who is proud of her skin colour and is seldom affected by the judgemental society, but soon her happy-go-lucky life takes an unusual turn on the most important day of her life – the wedding day. A mix-up in the shampoo leads to Gudiya losing her eyebrows and her sweet Indian wedding turns into a pungent comedy of errors. What remains to be seen is if Gudiya will be able to convince everyone to not panic and save her marriage? The teleplay is directed by Sourabh Shrivastava and stars Shweta Basu Prasad, Virendra Saxena, Samta Sagar, Ishtiyaq Khan, Saroj Sharma, Neha Saraf, Vikram Kochhar and Anveshi Jain. Also see: Yearender 2021: 'Spider-Man: No Way Home' to 'Hi Mom': 10 highest grossing movies of the year White Lily and Night Rider With the pseudonyms, ‘White Lily’ and ‘Night Rider’, two 30-something individuals build virtual online identities and fall in love with each other. But when they decide to meet in person, things don’t quite go as planned. The teleplay uses humour and irony to highlight the difference between the real and online personalities of people which often leads to mismatched expectations. It stars Sonali Kulkarni and Milind Phatak and is directed by Swapna Waghmare Joshi. The Will ‘The Will’ revolves around six youngsters who meet at an ancient mansion in the outskirts of Bhopal in the hope of a large inheritance. Here they are confronted by both the horrors of their past and the mysterious forces that lurk in the dark corners of the house. Set in the 60s, the play promises generous doses of both horror and humour as well as great insights into human nature. The teleplay stars Brijendra Kala, Anil Charanjeett, Pawan Chopra, Vikram Kochar, Anjum Sharma, and Shriswara and is directed by Akhilesh Jaiswal. Ladies Sangeet Directed and written by Purva Naresh, ‘Ladies Sangeet’ is a theatrical treat and a modern classic. The teleplay tells the story of young Radha who is to wed her beau Siddharth at her ancestral home in the hinterlands while her enthusiastic family members and their wedding planner are trying to ensure that the wedding follows every possible Bollywood trope! The play uses wit, humour, music, and drama to bring out extremely relevant challenges faced by families and individuals, especially against the backdrop of a big, fat Indian wedding. The teleplay stars Joy Sengupta, Loveleen Mishra, Nidhi Singh, Siddhant Karnick, Harsh Khurana, Sarika Singh and Monica Gupta. Also read: WION Exclusive: 'Bandish Bandits' actor Ritwik Bhowmik on his new show 'Whistleblower', a scam drama Sir Sir Sarla Writer, director and actor Makarand Deshpande’s much-loved classic, ‘Sir Sir Sarla' is the story of Professor Palekar and his student Sarla – the pretty, innocent young girl who seems to be enamored by her mentor – and Phanidhar who shares a love-hate relationship with the professor. The play explores the bond between the students and their professor, which faces many ebbs and flows. Secrets are revealed, accusations are thrown, and the three lives remain interwoven for many years to come. The teleplay stars Makarand Deshpande, Aahana Kumra, Sanjay Dadhich and Anjum Sharma. Also see: Yearender 2021: Movies that brought audiences back to theatres

Enjoy Zee Theatre's yearender special with five engrossing teleplays

On World Television Day, Zee Theatre brings teleplays that you can watch with your family from the comfort of your home.&nbsp;

An overview of the teleplays:

The Will: Six youngsters meet at an ancient mansion in the outskirts of Bhopal in the hope of a large inheritance. Here they are confronted by both the horrors of their past and the mysterious forces that lurk in the dark corners of the house. Set in the 60s, the play promises generous doses of both horror and humor.&nbsp;

It is directed by Akhilesh Jaiswal, the teleplay stars Anil Mange, Pawan Chopra, Brijendra Kala, Anjum Sharma, Vikram Kochhar, Namya Saxena, and Sharmila Shinde and will air on Airtel Spotlight at 2 pm.&nbsp;

White Lily Night Rider: With the pseudonyms, ‘White Lily’ and ‘Night Rider’, two 30-something individuals build virtual online identities and fall in love with each other. &nbsp;But when they decide to meet in person, things don’t quite go as planned. 
The teleplay uses humor and irony to highlight the difference between the real and online personalities of people which often leads to mismatched expectations.

The teleplay stars Sonali Kulkarni and Milind Phatak and is directed by Swapna Waghmare Joshi and will be screened on Airtel Spotlight at 4 pm.

Kasganj: An alcoholic police officer lands up at a remote, mountain town to investigate the death of a local village girl. What is first presumed to be an accidental death soon turns into a suspected murder. Battling his own demons within, the officer must quickly find out the truth before another life is lost including his own.&nbsp;

The teleplay stars Vaquar Shaikh, Kundan Kumar, Vivek Madaan, Jeetendra Shastri, Sargun Luthra, Hetal Gada, and Shashi Bhushan. It is directed by Anurag Goswami and will be screened on Airtel Spotlight at 6 pm.

On World Television Day, Zee Theatre brings teleplays that you can watch with your family from the comfort of your home. An overview of the teleplays: The Will: Six youngsters meet at an ancient mansion in the outskirts of Bhopal in the hope of a large inheritance.

On World Television Day, Zee Theatre brings teleplays that you can watch with your family from the comfort of your home. An overview of the teleplays: The Will: Six youngsters meet at an ancient mansion in the outskirts of Bhopal in the hope of a large inheritance. Here they are confronted by both the horrors of their past and the mysterious forces that lurk in the dark corners of the house. Set in the 60s, the play promises generous doses of both horror and humor. It is directed by Akhilesh Jaiswal, the teleplay stars Anil Mange, Pawan Chopra, Brijendra Kala, Anjum Sharma, Vikram Kochhar, Namya Saxena, and Sharmila Shinde and will air on Airtel Spotlight at 2 pm. White Lily Night Rider: With the pseudonyms, ‘White Lily’ and ‘Night Rider’, two 30-something individuals build virtual online identities and fall in love with each other. But when they decide to meet in person, things don’t quite go as planned. The teleplay uses humor and irony to highlight the difference between the real and online personalities of people which often leads to mismatched expectations. The teleplay stars Sonali Kulkarni and Milind Phatak and is directed by Swapna Waghmare Joshi and will be screened on Airtel Spotlight at 4 pm. Kasganj: An alcoholic police officer lands up at a remote, mountain town to investigate the death of a local village girl. What is first presumed to be an accidental death soon turns into a suspected murder. Battling his own demons within, the officer must quickly find out the truth before another life is lost including his own. The teleplay stars Vaquar Shaikh, Kundan Kumar, Vivek Madaan, Jeetendra Shastri, Sargun Luthra, Hetal Gada, and Shashi Bhushan. It is directed by Anurag Goswami and will be screened on Airtel Spotlight at 6 pm.

Celebrate World Television Day with these multi-genre Zee Theatre teleplays

On Children’s Day (November 14), revisit the fondest memories of childhood, tune into innocence and the wonders of unfettered imagination with Zee Theatre teleplays. Watch Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore’s famous creation, ‘Daak Ghar’, and the beautifully told, mythical tale, ‘Maya - Find your light’ on Tata Sky Theatre at 2 pm and 8 pm respectively.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-lady-gaga-hails-britney-spears-as-an-inspiration-after-conservatorship-lifted-429182" hreflang="en">Lady Gaga hails Britney Spears as an inspiration after conservatorship lifted</a>

An overview of the plays:

<img alt="DHAK" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0e8a4bed-b283-4c46-b132-8297bd83369b" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/happy%2030th%20birthday%20-%202021-11-14T134418.071.jpg" /> 
 
Daak Ghar: Daak Ghar is an adaptation of Rabindranath Tagore’s poignant story of the same name and was originally written in 1912. The play follows the story of young boy Amal, who has been confined to a room because of ill health. A single window in the room is his only access to the world outside.

On being informed that the King is building a Post Office nearby, the debilitated kid with a big imagination begins to yearn to become the King’s postmaster. Daak Ghar stars Krrish Chhabria, Saurabh Goyal, Kishore C. Srivastava, and Anupriya Goenka and is directed by Nagesh Kukunoor.

<img alt="Maya" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b3cd14bf-d3fa-48ab-b169-59eb3abea2b0" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/happy%2030th%20birthday%20-%202021-11-14T134429.645.jpg" />

Maya - Find your light: When the evil king of darkness threatens to conquer the kingdom of light, the responsibility of saving the kingdom and its people falls on the shoulders of its 13- year- old princess Maya. She must travel through treacherous forests, mountains, and villages and lift three curses to defeat the king. Accompanied by her goofy peacock friend and a snake, Maya sets out on this life-transforming adventure to “find her light.”

The play stars Khushi Chauhan, Prasad Kela, Priyanka Patil, Rutuja Bhoite, Shlok Sadlapurkar, Yash Agarwal and Aniket Sahani. It is directed by Laurent Festas and Sanaya Bharucha.

On Children’s Day (November 14), revisit the fondest memories of childhood, tune into innocence and the wonders of unfettered imagination with Zee Theatre teleplays.

On Children’s Day (November 14), revisit the fondest memories of childhood, tune into innocence and the wonders of unfettered imagination with Zee Theatre teleplays. Watch Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore’s famous creation, ‘Daak Ghar’, and the beautifully told, mythical tale, ‘Maya - Find your light’ on Tata Sky Theatre at 2 pm and 8 pm respectively. Lady Gaga hails Britney Spears as an inspiration after conservatorship lifted An overview of the plays: Daak Ghar: Daak Ghar is an adaptation of Rabindranath Tagore’s poignant story of the same name and was originally written in 1912. The play follows the story of young boy Amal, who has been confined to a room because of ill health. A single window in the room is his only access to the world outside. On being informed that the King is building a Post Office nearby, the debilitated kid with a big imagination begins to yearn to become the King’s postmaster. Daak Ghar stars Krrish Chhabria, Saurabh Goyal, Kishore C. Srivastava, and Anupriya Goenka and is directed by Nagesh Kukunoor. Maya - Find your light: When the evil king of darkness threatens to conquer the kingdom of light, the responsibility of saving the kingdom and its people falls on the shoulders of its 13- year- old princess Maya. She must travel through treacherous forests, mountains, and villages and lift three curses to defeat the king. Accompanied by her goofy peacock friend and a snake, Maya sets out on this life-transforming adventure to “find her light.” The play stars Khushi Chauhan, Prasad Kela, Priyanka Patil, Rutuja Bhoite, Shlok Sadlapurkar, Yash Agarwal and Aniket Sahani. It is directed by Laurent Festas and Sanaya Bharucha.

Celebrate Children’s Day with Zee Theatre plays that take you back to the wonder years

The veteran actor &nbsp;Irfan Khoosat will be reading Munshi Premchand's iconic tale, 'Shatranj Ki Baazi,' in&nbsp; Zee Theatre's 'Yaar Julahay'

In 1924, Munshi Premchand wrote a riveting tale in Urdu and Hindi about two inveterate chess players. In 1977, legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray made 'Shatranj Ke Khiladi', and now director and actor Sarmad Khoosat is presenting 'Shatranj Ki Baazi,' a dramatized reading of the same classic story. The reading is part of Zee Theatre's presentation, 'Yaar Julahay,' featuring stories from the subcontinent.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-shahid-kapoor-to-play-paratrooper-in-action-flick-bull-422640" hreflang="en">Shahid Kapoor to play paratrooper in action flick 'Bull'</a>

'Shatranj Ki Baazi' will be read by veteran actor Irfan Khoosat and will be screened on Tata Sky Theatre throughout this week. Set in Lucknow in the last days of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, the story centres around the landowner's Mirza Sajjad Ali and Mir Roshan Ali, and their obsession with chess in the face of the rapidly deteriorating political, social, and cultural conditions of Awadh.

Irfan Khoosat says, “I have been associated largely with funny characters but this was a serious part. I am also very happy that the new generation is rediscovering classic stories from the subcontinent via a format similar to Dastangoi. When stories are performed and not just read by an actor, they acquire tangible humanity. This is a very good initiative and must continue."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-aryan-khan-drug-case-ncb-officials-raid-shah-rukh-khan-ananya-pandays-homes-422588" hreflang="en">Aryan Khan drug case: NCB officials raid Shah Rukh Khan, Ananya Panday's homes</a>

Director Sarmad Khoosat says, “A lot of literature has been written about Partition but the mutiny of 1857 has not been extensively written about. That is why this story by Munshi Premchand has an iconic significance. His descriptive writing brings alive the milieu and the atmosphere in which the story is set and when he writes the conversations between two people, he transports us to another era. The moment I read 'Shatranj Ki Baazi,' I felt only my father could do justice to it because the role needed a certain gravitas, manner, and diction. Abba pulled off the reading with great theatricality and used different voices for different characters."

The veteran actor Irfan Khoosat will be reading Munshi Premchand's iconic tale, 'Shatranj Ki Baazi,' in Zee Theatre's 'Yaar Julahay' In 1924, Munshi Premchand wrote a riveting tale in Urdu and Hindi about two inveterate chess players.

The veteran actor Irfan Khoosat will be reading Munshi Premchand's iconic tale, 'Shatranj Ki Baazi,' in Zee Theatre's 'Yaar Julahay' In 1924, Munshi Premchand wrote a riveting tale in Urdu and Hindi about two inveterate chess players. In 1977, legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray made 'Shatranj Ke Khiladi', and now director and actor Sarmad Khoosat is presenting 'Shatranj Ki Baazi,' a dramatized reading of the same classic story. The reading is part of Zee Theatre's presentation, 'Yaar Julahay,' featuring stories from the subcontinent. Shahid Kapoor to play paratrooper in action flick 'Bull' 'Shatranj Ki Baazi' will be read by veteran actor Irfan Khoosat and will be screened on Tata Sky Theatre throughout this week. Set in Lucknow in the last days of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, the story centres around the landowner's Mirza Sajjad Ali and Mir Roshan Ali, and their obsession with chess in the face of the rapidly deteriorating political, social, and cultural conditions of Awadh. Irfan Khoosat says, “I have been associated largely with funny characters but this was a serious part. I am also very happy that the new generation is rediscovering classic stories from the subcontinent via a format similar to Dastangoi. When stories are performed and not just read by an actor, they acquire tangible humanity. This is a very good initiative and must continue." Aryan Khan drug case: NCB officials raid Shah Rukh Khan, Ananya Panday's homes Director Sarmad Khoosat says, “A lot of literature has been written about Partition but the mutiny of 1857 has not been extensively written about. That is why this story by Munshi Premchand has an iconic significance. His descriptive writing brings alive the milieu and the atmosphere in which the story is set and when he writes the conversations between two people, he transports us to another era. The moment I read 'Shatranj Ki Baazi,' I felt only my father could do justice to it because the role needed a certain gravitas, manner, and diction. Abba pulled off the reading with great theatricality and used different voices for different characters."

Pakistani actor Irfan Khoosat to read Munshi Premchand's iconic tale, 'Shatranj Ki Baazi'

Cinema and entertainment in general have always been a free spirit, never bound by geographical borders or caged by political states. Probably this is why Zee Theatre’s latest initiative ‘Yaar Julahey’ was such a massive success as it successfully brought talents from the Indian subcontinent together to make a unique property that truly mirrors our rich heritage of the forgotten past.&nbsp;

‘Yaar Julahey’ is a collection of dramatic readings by Pakistani artists of stories written by Indian and Pakistani authors and writers for a South Asian audience. The project consists of 12 episodes with stories read by veteran actors Mahira Khan, Sarmad Khoosat, Nimra Bucha, Fawad Khan, Sarwat Gillani, Sania Saeed, Irfan Khoosat, Yasra Rizvi, Samiya Mumtaz and Faysal Quraishi. WION got in conversation with Fawad Khan as he detailed about the one-of-a-kind initiative.&nbsp;

Excerpts from the conversation:

WION: Could you tell me a bit about the format and the unique story of 'Yaar Julahay'?

Fawad: 'Yaar Julahay’s’ format is very similar to that of a staged play where stories are told to a live audience. The difference is that here, the storyteller narrates a story before a camera and yet these narratives do not have the realism of cinema. They have a staged reality you find in plays. So it was interesting since usually we perform for a live audience or only for the camera but here we performed for the camera but with a theatrical audience in mind. So to some extent, the format was a mixture of cinema and theatre.

WION: Why is it called 'a series of dramatic readings'?

Fawad: Firstly, it's not that we memorised the story. We had a script in our hands and we were reading from it. The purpose of a dramatic reading is to read the script with the requisite expressions so that the dramatic undercurrents in the story are visible to the audience. Anyone can read a story but when an artiste reads it, he or she highlights every emotion that the writer has put into the story.

WION: What can you tell me about Garrm Coat, the episode which you are a part of, about the character and the story a little bit?

Fawad: 'Garrm Coat' is a very famous story by author Rajinder Singh Bedi. It revolves around financial and other issues being faced by a lower-middle class family. In the middle of a searing winter, the father wishes to wear a 'Garrm Coat' but he does not have enough money. The events that follow are filled with really moving, emotional moments that he shares with his wife and children. Whoever loves subcontinental literature must have definitely read this really famous and beautiful story. I read it years ago and it has stayed with me since then. This time I really enjoyed bringing it to life as I got to enact all the different characters.

<img alt="yaar julahey" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="36d7f9e1-8479-4b07-8adc-7afdfd3e0942" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/New-171.jpg" />

WION: How do you feel about this collaboration of Pakistani artists and Indian writers? What do you think it does for cross border friendship?

Fawad: If we are telling the stories of authors like Rajinder Singh Bedi or Amrita Pritam or Manto, we cannot just define them according to their nationalities because their voices and works had a resonance that transcended borders. Stories are not just Indian or Pakistani. They belong to everyone. The same is true for people. We are all humans first and only then Indian or Pakistani. The beauty of storytelling is such that it cannot be divided but only shared. Stories are like nomads and they keep traveling. &nbsp;

WION: Such collaborations are the need of the hour because they focus on what unites us rather than divides us. The fact that we're curating stories from both sides of the border and are bringing together artists and literary voices that are loved and recognised regardless of their nationality, is a message in itself. I feel the current generation needs such initiatives and we need to tell these stories to them. What do you think?

Fawad: Yes, I agree. You are definitely right. Unfortunately, the situation right now is one of polarisation on both sides even though Bollywood is really famous here and everyone loves and watches Indian content on YouTube or on Netflix. So beyond the negativity, in the end, it is our love for stories that brings us together. And we need shows like this to remind us of this fact repeatedly. Politics widens the gap between our countries but art can bridge this divide.

WION: Why the craze for Bollywood? Do you have any favourites from the recent lot of actors in India?

Fawad: Our sensibilities as people are very much alike. We are bonded by language and similar traditions in storytelling and entertainment and that is why audiences across the subcontinent connect with Bollywood. Call it Hindi or Urdu, the language we speak has similar nuances. As you know, the major connection between any cultures is the language and so we connect with Hindi cinema in a way that we do not with Hollywood or regional cinema.

Music has the same power to bring people together. On both sides of the border, the raaga based music that we sing and perform has similar classical roots. A German friend of mine recently used the term 'Pakistani music’ and I told him that there's no such thing as 'Pakistani music’ because it's the music of the subcontinent.

Regarding my personal favourites as far as performers go, there are many. There's Pankaj Tripathi Saheb and in recent times. I also really loved the performance of Siddhant Chaturvedi in ‘Gully Boy’.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/squid-games-anupam-tripathi-to-life-of-pis-suraj-sharma-indian-origin-actors-and-global-tv-cinema-419423" hreflang="en">Squid Game's Anupam Tripathi to Life of Pi's Suraj Sharma: Indian-origin actors and global TV &amp; cinema</a>

WION: What is your viewpoint about the current status of exchange of art between the two countries?&nbsp;

Fawad: I think it's tragic how art always suffers the consequences of these tragedies. Artistic exchange should not be politicised. It would make my heart happy if more Indian artists performed in Pakistan. I have beautiful memories of enjoying the performance of a theatre group from Rajasthan. Every year NAPA (The National Academy of Performing Arts ) arranges an international theatre festival where people come from all around the world but we bond the most with the Indians who visit and when it's time for them to leave, we are genuinely in tears and there is such immense sadness. I wish we could work more with each other like we did five years back. There shouldn't be any restrictions in artistic exchange. We share so much, be it stories, poetry, language, ethos and this bond cannot be broken. Call it Hindi or Urdu, we communicate in the same way. According to me, it was a really good step when Zee5 started curating Pakistani dramas. We are all inspired by each other in a way. Just a few days back, I was watching an interview, where Satish Kaushik mentioned that in the film Mr. India, he drew the inspiration for his character from a Pakistani drama, 'Aangan Teda’, where actor Saleem Nasir played a cook in a certain way. So even at a point, where only Doordarshan existed, somehow such exchanges and osmosis would happen. I think this should continue and get stronger.

Watch:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/yohani-wins-hearts-of-millions-of-indians-417821" hreflang="en">Yohani wins hearts of millions of Indians</a>

<h2><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-britney-spears-throws-shade-at-sister-jamie-lynn-after-she-announces-her-own-memoir-420477" hreflang="en">Britney Spears throws shade at sister Jamie Lynn after she announces her own memoir</a></h2>

Cinema and entertainment in general have always been a free spirit, never bound by geographical borders or caged by political states. Probably this is why Zee Theatre’s latest initiative ‘Yaar Julahey’ was such a massive success as it successfully brought talents from the Indian subcontinent together to make a unique property that truly mirrors our rich heritage of the forgotten past.

Cinema and entertainment in general have always been a free spirit, never bound by geographical borders or caged by political states. Probably this is why Zee Theatre’s latest initiative ‘Yaar Julahey’ was such a massive success as it successfully brought talents from the Indian subcontinent together to make a unique property that truly mirrors our rich heritage of the forgotten past. ‘Yaar Julahey’ is a collection of dramatic readings by Pakistani artists of stories written by Indian and Pakistani authors and writers for a South Asian audience. The project consists of 12 episodes with stories read by veteran actors Mahira Khan, Sarmad Khoosat, Nimra Bucha, Fawad Khan, Sarwat Gillani, Sania Saeed, Irfan Khoosat, Yasra Rizvi, Samiya Mumtaz and Faysal Quraishi. WION got in conversation with Fawad Khan as he detailed about the one-of-a-kind initiative. Excerpts from the conversation: WION: Could you tell me a bit about the format and the unique story of 'Yaar Julahay'? Fawad: 'Yaar Julahay’s’ format is very similar to that of a staged play where stories are told to a live audience. The difference is that here, the storyteller narrates a story before a camera and yet these narratives do not have the realism of cinema. They have a staged reality you find in plays. So it was interesting since usually we perform for a live audience or only for the camera but here we performed for the camera but with a theatrical audience in mind. So to some extent, the format was a mixture of cinema and theatre. WION: Why is it called 'a series of dramatic readings'? Fawad: Firstly, it's not that we memorised the story. We had a script in our hands and we were reading from it. The purpose of a dramatic reading is to read the script with the requisite expressions so that the dramatic undercurrents in the story are visible to the audience. Anyone can read a story but when an artiste reads it, he or she highlights every emotion that the writer has put into the story. WION: What can you tell me about Garrm Coat, the episode which you are a part of, about the character and the story a little bit? Fawad: 'Garrm Coat' is a very famous story by author Rajinder Singh Bedi. It revolves around financial and other issues being faced by a lower-middle class family. In the middle of a searing winter, the father wishes to wear a 'Garrm Coat' but he does not have enough money. The events that follow are filled with really moving, emotional moments that he shares with his wife and children. Whoever loves subcontinental literature must have definitely read this really famous and beautiful story. I read it years ago and it has stayed with me since then. This time I really enjoyed bringing it to life as I got to enact all the different characters. WION: How do you feel about this collaboration of Pakistani artists and Indian writers? What do you think it does for cross border friendship? Fawad: If we are telling the stories of authors like Rajinder Singh Bedi or Amrita Pritam or Manto, we cannot just define them according to their nationalities because their voices and works had a resonance that transcended borders. Stories are not just Indian or Pakistani. They belong to everyone. The same is true for people. We are all humans first and only then Indian or Pakistani. The beauty of storytelling is such that it cannot be divided but only shared. Stories are like nomads and they keep traveling. WION: Such collaborations are the need of the hour because they focus on what unites us rather than divides us. The fact that we're curating stories from both sides of the border and are bringing together artists and literary voices that are loved and recognised regardless of their nationality, is a message in itself. I feel the current generation needs such initiatives and we need to tell these stories to them. What do you think? Fawad: Yes, I agree. You are definitely right. Unfortunately, the situation right now is one of polarisation on both sides even though Bollywood is really famous here and everyone loves and watches Indian content on YouTube or on Netflix. So beyond the negativity, in the end, it is our love for stories that brings us together. And we need shows like this to remind us of this fact repeatedly. Politics widens the gap between our countries but art can bridge this divide. WION: Why the craze for Bollywood? Do you have any favourites from the recent lot of actors in India? Fawad: Our sensibilities as people are very much alike. We are bonded by language and similar traditions in storytelling and entertainment and that is why audiences across the subcontinent connect with Bollywood. Call it Hindi or Urdu, the language we speak has similar nuances. As you know, the major connection between any cultures is the language and so we connect with Hindi cinema in a way that we do not with Hollywood or regional cinema. Music has the same power to bring people together. On both sides of the border, the raaga based music that we sing and perform has similar classical roots. A German friend of mine recently used the term 'Pakistani music’ and I told him that there's no such thing as 'Pakistani music’ because it's the music of the subcontinent. Regarding my personal favourites as far as performers go, there are many. There's Pankaj Tripathi Saheb and in recent times. I also really loved the performance of Siddhant Chaturvedi in ‘Gully Boy’. Also see: Squid Game's Anupam Tripathi to Life of Pi's Suraj Sharma: Indian-origin actors and global TV & cinema WION: What is your viewpoint about the current status of exchange of art between the two countries? Fawad: I think it's tragic how art always suffers the consequences of these tragedies. Artistic exchange should not be politicised. It would make my heart happy if more Indian artists performed in Pakistan. I have beautiful memories of enjoying the performance of a theatre group from Rajasthan. Every year NAPA (The National Academy of Performing Arts ) arranges an international theatre festival where people come from all around the world but we bond the most with the Indians who visit and when it's time for them to leave, we are genuinely in tears and there is such immense sadness. I wish we could work more with each other like we did five years back. There shouldn't be any restrictions in artistic exchange. We share so much, be it stories, poetry, language, ethos and this bond cannot be broken. Call it Hindi or Urdu, we communicate in the same way. According to me, it was a really good step when Zee5 started curating Pakistani dramas. We are all inspired by each other in a way. Just a few days back, I was watching an interview, where Satish Kaushik mentioned that in the film Mr. India, he drew the inspiration for his character from a Pakistani drama, 'Aangan Teda’, where actor Saleem Nasir played a cook in a certain way. So even at a point, where only Doordarshan existed, somehow such exchanges and osmosis would happen. I think this should continue and get stronger. Watch: Yohani wins hearts of millions of Indians Britney Spears throws shade at sister Jamie Lynn after she announces her own memoir

Interview | Pakistani actor Fawad Khan: Stories by Indian authors don't just belong to India, they are for all

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