Amid the pictures of legendary actors such as Madhubala, Amrish Puri and Dara Singh, in a small studio in Andheri, stands Gautam Rode, a known face in the world of television but a rank fresher in theatre. He's hard at work, rehearsing his introductory lines for his upcoming theatre debut, Aarohi. On his Instagram page, Rode calls himself an actor, a host and a learner. For Aarohi, he'll get to play all three parts.

The actor of nearly half a dozen TV shows, including Baa Bahu Aur Baby, Lucky, and Saraswatichandra, Rode is going to be directed by Salim Akhtar. Aarohi explores the struggle of a woman and the emotional turmoil she goes through as an uncompromising artiste. It is interlaced with original compositions, live singing and Kathak. "It is an interplay of reality and fantasy, and our forays into the shadowy world of unconsciousness, hope, repression, fear and guilt," says Akhtar. "Finally, one confronts that huge, spectacular canvas of emotions that remains hidden in the conflicting, yet strange and very beautiful world. This is Aarohi for me." Rode will play the role of Indrajeet, the love interest of Aarohi, who is played by Dhani Jhankal, the daughter of noted film and TV actor Ravi Jhankal. The play is sort of inspired by Akhtar's own life story, though he doesn't divulge more details.