06 February,2026 11:07 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Mridula, Aashi and Pankaj Tripathi
Pankaj Tripathi is set to make a much-awaited return to theatre after a gap of 12 years with the musical comedy stage play Lailaaj in a cameo. The play, produced under his home production banner Roopkatha Rangmanch, will also feature their daughter Aashi, who made her stage debut last year.
The show is produced by Mridula Tripathi 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 a heartfelt homecoming.
Pankaj Tripathi shared an emotional note about his return to theatre, "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 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."
About performing alongside his daughter Aashi, he said, "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."
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.
Lailaaj was officially selected to be showcased at Bharat Rang Mahotsav, India's largest and most prestigious theatre festival, hosted by the National School of Drama (NSD), Delhi.
Marking the achivement, Pankaj said, "To bring our very first production under Roopkatha Rangmanch to a platform like this feels like a full-circle moment. Lailaaj is a simple, musical, and heartfelt story, but behind it is the hard work of many people who believe in theatre as a living, breathing art form."
Mridula Tripathi also shared her thoughts on the achievement. She said that when they started Roopkatha Rangmanch, the intention was never to chase scale or recognition, but to tell stories with sincerity and warmth.
"For Lailaaj to be selected for Bharat Rang Mahotsav, especially in its 25th year, feels incredibly validating. This play has been nurtured with love, patience, and belief in the process. Watching it travel to a platform like NSD, where some of the finest theatre work is celebrated, makes the journey even more meaningful."
