Mumbai: Pankaj Tripathi is one of the most humble stars this industry has ever known. Often crediting his roots for his success, Tripathi always finds ways to commemorate his origins. In that same spirit, to celebrate his love for the art of theatre, Pankaj and his wife, Mridula Tripathi, launched a new theatre group called “Roopkatha Rangmanch.” The group’s first production, Lailaaj, is already winning hearts. As an alumnus of the National School of Drama-the prestigious theatre institute of the nation under the Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India, Pankaj, with his wife’s Mridula Tripathi support decided to return to the stage to provide a powerful platform for talented artists, dedicating this group to the art form that marked the beginning of the actor’s career.
Produced by the Tripathis “Lailaaj” is a play rooted in Nautanki, an interactive form of folk theatre that features open improvisation, baithak-style music, and free-flowing performances. The story revolves around a band party (Jugal Band Party) headed by Puran Kumar Tamanche; energetically played by Alok Gagdekar, a stellar artist across all acting mediums, and the protagonist, Jugal (beautifully portrayed by Manni Thapar). Despite being a musician, Jugal feels he doesn’t belong in his father’s line of work and wants to experiment with his art. Simultaneously, Maria (played by Aashi Tripathi) is keen to break free and follow her passion for dance. Jugal and Maria fall in love, but Ballu (played by Mukti Das), a criminal returning from a long sentence in “Mirzapur” jail, also falls for Maria. What follows is a series of entanglements, errors, and misunderstandings layered across the seven stages of love. Will Maria be able to pursue her passion while being with Jugal? Will Jugal’s conflict with the band party be resolved and will Ballu win Maria?
With over 25 artists on stage including actors, singers, dancers, and musicians, the play speaks a dynamic energy. Inspired by the comical skits of the Nautanki style, it breaks conventional theatrical practices, filling the performance with farcical situations, melodramatic moments, and a standout element: its music. Soulfully composed by Faiz Mohammed Khan, who also serves as the director, lyricist, and writer of the production, the music captures the exact right emotions for every scene. The catchy, harmonium- and percussion-based songs kept the audience humming along.
Thanks to the clever insertion of political jokes, the auditorium turned into a laughter riot, with heavy whistling, clapping, and prolonged expressions of joy sometimes forcing the performers to pause before continuing. Yet alongside the comedy, the play touches on hard-hitting moments that leave viewers numb, such as the line: “Son, it is easy to make the world cry, but just as difficult to make it laugh.” Moving seamlessly from artistic rejections to romantic heartbreaks, the play acts as a consoling, highly relatable portrayal of life.
The performances are truly mesmerizing. Aashi Tripathi, daughter of Pankaj Tripathi and Mridula Tripathi, marking her debut in acting, does an exceptional job, honoring the lineage of her artistic parents. Manni Thapar as the voice of Jugal makes a place in the minds of the audience and Alok’s strength held the play throughout its run refusing to let go the eyes of the people off stage. Apart from the main cast, they are well-supported by seasoned actors like Nehpal Gautam, Kunal Bhange, Rakesh Manohar Sharma and more. The production is further backed by profound musicians and dancers, including Omkar Patil, Vagyashri, Shehnaaz, Shaheen, Abhi Mohite, Uditya Lakhar, Tejas Solanki, and Asheesh, accompanied by Sunil Sharma, Jay Tapik, Saswati Bhata, and Aamrita Shivsaran.
The radiant light design by Narayan Singh Chauhan creates memorable visuals, paired beautifully with an attractive set designed by Dheerendra Dwiwedi and Faiz Mohammed Khan. Numerous artists contributed off-stage as well, including the backstage crew, costume assistants, and makeup team. To top it all off, a surprising cameo by Pankaj Tripathi himself serves as the icing on the cake, allowing viewers to extract every bit of joy from the experience.
Overall, providing an explosive treat for the audience, this production is a complete theatrical experience that compromises on nothing. The staging of the play on May 23, 2026, at NCPA Mumbai marked its 18th successful show, successfully reviving theatre culture. With more shows lined up, audiences can find details on BookMyShow and follow Roopkatha Rangmanch’s social media handles.
As the founders of the group believe: in a world where people adore electronic media, we have forgotten the beauty of lively, human interactions.