We do not insist on attendance,” quips Anupama Chouhan. The founder of Raasha Theatre understands the necessity for such freedom and a touch of rebelliousness that comes with being in theatre. It is part of her initiative that offers neurodivergent individuals and those on the spectrum to perform, and express themselves on the stage. A dream Chouhan herself shared when she arrived in the city in 2016.

“I wanted to be an actor myself,” she says. As any Mumbaikar, she would take on multiple roles over the years. One such job was to help with the casting of the Aamir Khan production, Sitaare Zameen Par (2025). “That’s when it struck me that while these individuals were being picked for a role, they were capable of a lot more,” she shares.