Pankaj Tripathi is all set to make a return to theatre with a hiatus of 12 years with a musical-comedy play. Titled Lailaaj, the play will be produced under his banner Roopkatha Rangmanch and will feature him in a cameo.
Written and directed by acclaimed theatre practitioner Faiz Mohammed Khan, Lailaaj promises to blend music, humour, and emotional storytelling, staying rooted in the rich traditions of Indian theatre while offering a contemporary sensibility. Lailaaj will also feature Pankaj’s daughter Aashi, who made her stage debut last year — this will be the first time Pankaj will be sharing stage with her daughter.
Speaking about his return to stage, Pankaj shared in a heartfelt note, “ Returning to the stage feels both nostalgic and deeply grounding. This is where my journey as an actor truly began. Cinema has given me so much love and recognition, but theatre has a different kind of intimacy - it humbles you, challenges you, and keeps you honest as a performer.”
Talking about the play that marks his return, the actor added, “Lailaaj is very close to my heart because it comes from a space of family, friendship, and love for storytelling. Producing this play with my wife Mridula has been a labour of love, and bringing it to life has reminded us why we started dreaming in the first place.”
The acclaimed actor also spoke about the experience of sharing stage with his daughter, adding, “Watching Aashi step onto the stage for the first time has been one of the most emotional experiences of my life. Sharing the stage with her is not about being a father guiding his child, but about being two actors learning and growing together in the moment. I couldn’t have asked for a better platform for her to begin her journey.”
Lailaaj is scheduled to open on Sunday, February 8, at Rangsharda, Mumbai.