Art imitates life at FTII as Bharat Rang Mahotsav brings real-life to theatre

On the evening of February 6 in Pune, the campus of Films and Television Institute of India hosted the 25th Bharat Rang Mahotsav. Theatre lovers from across the city gathered to witness performances by trained artists from the National School of Drama.

Families, students, senior citizens, and first-time theatre-goers filled the auditorium to a near house-full, creating an atmosphere that felt both festive and celebratory. From the moment people started arriving, it was clear that this was more than just another cultural evening. Some came out of curiosity, others out of deep love for theatre, but everyone gathered to experience live storytelling at its most honest.

The play of the day was Babuji, directed by Rajesh Singh, Chief of Repertory Company at NSD and also the titular character in the show. While the play itself focused on the struggle of an artist trying to live life on his own terms, the larger spirit of the night was about a connection between performers and audience, between tradition and modern life, and between storytelling and life experiences. Speaking about performing in the city, Rajesh Singh told Pune Times, “Pune has a very rich theatrical background.

The audience here is sensitive and sensible. They understand the content and the backstory of the plays.” He adds that performing her feels special because of the warmth and respect shown by viewers. “It is really very welcoming. We felt it during the curtain call itself.” Speaking about how the story of Babuji reflects everyday realities, Rajesh adds, “This is not unconventional. This is the harsh reality of our society.”

He pointed out how many young people still struggle to convince families when choosing careers in art. According to him, most artists on stage have lived through similar experiences, making their performances deeply personal. For many in the audience, this honesty struck a chord. Sandeep Gupta, a 40-something-year-old attendee, summed up the feeling simply.

“I really connected with the story,” he says. “It reminded me of how difficult it is to follow your passion when society expects something else.

It felt like someone was telling my own story on stage.”

Beyond the performance, the festival itself stood out as a celebration of effort, discipline, and belief and a willingness to do what you love. Rajesh spoke about the challenges of training actors in traditional styles and local dialects. “It is rare now. But they worked very hard to make it believable,” he says, praising his team’s dedication. As the evening drew to a close, people walked out smiling, discussing scenes, humming tunes, and sharing thoughts. Some stayed back to click pictures, others simply sat quietly, absorbing what they had seen. Bharat Rang Mahotsav at FTII proved that theatre still has the power to bring people together — across age, language, and background.