Imtiaz Ali and Vikas Bahl inaugurate 5- day Khidkiyaan Theatre Festival'
Mumbai: Celebrated filmmakers Imtiaz Ali and Vikas Bahl inaugurated the first edition of ‘Khidkiyaan Theatre Festival’, a five-day annual fest organized by Mukesh Chhabra Casting Co. in Mumbai from January 13-17th, 2016.
The day one of the non-ticketed fest being held at Sathaye College, began on a high note with a soulful music performance by the National Award winner, lyricist-singer, Swanand Kirkire and Jasleen Royal. Swanand says, “Khidkiyaan is a superb initiative. I love the way Mukesh looks at casting scientifically. A casting director’s job is to nurture talent from various quartets of society. Mukesh being from the theatre background very well knows theatre is the biggest playground of actors. A festival like this should travel to different cities.”
The gorgeous and talented actress, Tisca Chopra played the host for the evening and invited the guests of honour Imtiaz Ali and Vikas Bahl to inaugurate the festival by lighting diyas. “Very high energy, high voltage atmosphere. A great revival of Hindi theatre in Mumbai, certainly bringing focus back on this art form,” said the actress.
Tisca also introduced Mukesh Chhabra’s shy dad, T.C Chhabra who has produced the plays.
The two shows of Chittranjan Thripathy’s play ‘Gunno Bai’ were houseful. The event concluded with Lohri celebrations where everyone including Mukesh Chhabra, Imtiaz Ali, Vikas Bahl and Tisca Chopra danced to the dhol beats and Punjabi numbers. Other Bollywood celebrities who attended first day of the gala theatre fest were Ragini Khanna, Yashpal Sharma, and Vijay Raaz.
Thanking Bollywood guests for extending their support to Khidkiyaan and his team for organizing the theatre festival with so much love and passion, Mukesh Chhabra says, "I am overwhelmed with the fabulous response Khidkiyaan has got from everyone. I didn't expect such a industry to respond so positively to a theatre fest. It feels great that so many people support you when you are promoting such an art and I hope this love continues to grow".
