Street plays around social issues are common in India, but what sets Mumbai-based Young Creative Production apart is the fact that their actors are children from the slums, recovering from drug abuse and alcohol addiction. Started in 2008 under the name Jannat Media, by actor, director and writer Nizamuddin Shah and co-founded by fellow actor, filmmaker and concept artiste Tanvi Patankar, the production company was rebranded this year.

Shah, who used to live in Wadala, first noticed that his friends and many children around his neighbourhood were alcohol dependent. They also faced acute water shortage in their area. So, he decided to try and help wean them off alcohol through a play around water conservation, and got them to participate in it. This is how he put up his first play, Ek Boon Jivan Jeene Ke Liye, in 2008. To his surprise, the children enjoyed it. “I didn’t intend to take this forward, but when I saw the change and how it helped them take their life in a different direction, I decided to continue,” says Shah. His production company not only includes children on the path to recovery, but also young girls from the slums, who do menial jobs. They have successfully trained over 200 children and performed over a 1,000-plus plays.