Aadyam Theatre returns for its eighth season with first play 'Ankahi' this April

Ankahi is the first play of the season. Photo Courtesy: Special Arrangement

Aadyam Theatre returns for its eighth season with the first play that marks a new experimentation for the initiative by foraying into the supernatural thriller territory with 'Ankahi'.

Ankahi continues the previous season's tradition of transforming classical texts into immersive, theatrical experiences. It is a Hindi adaptation of Susan Hill's celebrated horror story, The Woman In Black. Its English adaptation for the stage by Stephen Mallatratt, became one of the longest-running West End productions. It follows the story of a middle-aged lawyer, Sandeepan Chauhan, who is carrying the baggage of a haunted truth. In an attempt to free himself from it, he finds an unusual channel in a young, sceptical theatre actor who helps him stage his horror - the account of how a simple legal matter of settling deceased Fatima Illyas' estate unfolds a darker truth hidden in the marshes of West Bengal.

The events turn grimmer as the Locals become increasingly evasive and the marshes an echo chamber of secrets. And at the centre of it all is the"Hunkaarni," a phantom figure whose curse inflicts a shadow that, once encountered, never truly leaves you.

This story within a story blurs the boundaries between reality and performance, between confession and consequence. As Sandeepan bares his unsettling secret, the actor unknowingly gets entangled in a web of truth, fiction, and revelation. The play poses a question for the audience: Does revealing our darkest secrets guide us towards light, or does it pull us further into darker trenches?

Ankahi's world is mounted by director Vikranth Pawar, making this his first play for Aadyam Theatre. The director has been instrumental in bringing Broadway-style musicals to India for the first time with Beauty And The Beast. Vikranth's experience in mounting riveting stories helped bring a rare sonic and visual ambition to Ankahi. The meticulously developed set and sound design create a world that the audience doesn't just experience; they immerse themselves in it.

Talking about his experience, Vikranth Pawar said, "Ankahi marks my first play with Aadyam Theatre, and the experience has been nothing short of exciting. My decision to adapt this classic horror story for the Indian stage was purely based on my conviction that the Indian audience has been waiting for a supernatural thriller to unfold on a live stage. The play packs some real scares and pulls you into pure drama and thrill for 90 minutes. It is a story that stays with you even when the lights turn back on."

The play's cast includes two powerhouse performers - Gopal Datt (Tere Naam, Delhi Crime, Bunty Aur Babli 2) as Sandeepan Chauhan, and Rohit Chaudhary (Bareilly ki Barfi, Jabariya Jodi, The Forgotten Army) as the young actor.

The Mumbai run is slated for April 18 and 19 at Jamshed Bhabha Theatre, NCPA, and May 2 and 3 at Bal Gandharva Rang Mandir. Tickets are available on BookMyShow.