After 12 years, Pankaj Tripathi returns to the theatre!
Actor Pankaj Tripathi is set to make a much-awaited return to the theatre after a gap of 12 years with the musical comedy stage play ‘Lailaaj’ in a cameo, marking a deeply personal and special chapter in his artistic journey. The musical comedy play, produced under his home production banner Roopkatha Rangmanch by Pankaj Tripathi and his wife #Mridula, will also see their daughter Aashi who made her stage debut last year and is geared up to perform alongside him for the very first time.
The show is produced by Mridula and co-produced by Pankaj Tripathi, written and directed by acclaimed theatre practitioner Faiz Mohammed Khan, Lailaaj is scheduled to open on 8th February at Rangsharda, Mumbai. The play blends music, humour, and emotional storytelling, staying rooted in the rich traditions of Indian theatre while offering a contemporary sensibility. For Pankaj Tripathi, the project is not just a return to his theatrical roots but also a heartfelt homecoming.
Speaking about returning to the stage and sharing this experience with his daughter, Pankaj Tripathi shared in an emotional and detailed note, “Theatre is where my journey as an actor truly began, and returning to the stage after twelve years feels both nostalgic and deeply grounding. 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. Lailaaj is very close to my heart because it comes from a space of family, friendship, and love for storytelling. Producing this play under Roopkatha Rangmanch 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.”
He further added about performing alongside his daughter Aashi, “Watching Aashi step onto the stage for the first time has been one of the most emotional experiences of my life. Theatre teaches you discipline, patience, and respect for the craft, and I couldn’t have asked for a better platform for her to begin her journey. 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. Lailaaj carries laughter, music, and warmth, but it also carries our personal truth and joy, and I hope audiences feel that connection when they watch the play.”
With #Lailaaj, Pankaj Tripathi not only revisits his theatrical roots but also reinforces his commitment to nurturing meaningful storytelling through the stage. The play’s opening at Rangsharda is expected to draw theatre lovers and admirers alike, eager to witness the celebrated actor’s return to live performance and a rare, heartfelt collaboration between a father and daughter under the same spotlight.
By Keerti Kadam