Pankaj Tripathi, one of India’s most celebrated actors, is returning to his theatrical roots in a deeply meaningful way as he and his wife, business manager Mridula Tripathi, step into theater production with their newly launched banner, Roopkatha Rangmanch. Their debut venture, a musical comedy titled Lailaaj, also marks a milestone for the Tripathi family as their daughter, Aashi Tripathi, takes her first steps onto the stage.
Written, directed, composed, and lyrically crafted by Faiz Mohammed Khan, Lailaaj promises an engaging mix of humour, music and emotional storytelling. Aashi Tripathi starer play will be staged on the 21st, 22nd and 23rd of this month at Mumbai’s Rangshila Theater, offering audiences a refreshing and heartfelt theatrical experience.
For Pankaj Tripathi, whose artistic journey began long before his rise on the silver screen, this production is a homecoming. Theater, he often says, is his “first love,” and the opportunity to nurture it from the other side of the curtain is nothing short of profound. Reflecting on the launch of their banner, he shared that Roopkatha Rangmanch is more than a production house—it is an emotional extension of his beginnings. Memories of backstage chaos, borrowed costumes and the thrill of live performance shaped his sincerity, discipline, and artistic identity. With Lailaaj, he hopes to honour the medium that shaped him and pay tribute to every artist who finds truth and transformation on stage.
What makes this journey even more special is Aashi’s stage debut. Pankaj describes watching her rehearse as both nostalgic and inspiring, a reminder of his own formative years on stage. As a father, he feels immense pride; as an artist, a renewed responsibility. He hopes audiences will embrace Aashi and the production with the same affection they have shown him throughout his career.
Sharing her perspective, Mridula Tripathi expressed that Roopkatha Rangmanch was born from a shared dream to preserve meaningful storytelling. Choosing a musical comedy as their first production felt natural—Lailaaj, she says, celebrates simplicity, joy, teamwork and the magic of live performance. Watching her daughter prepare has been emotional, and bringing such a heartfelt project to life fills her with excitement.
With its talented team, original musical format and the emotional commitment of a family deeply rooted in the arts, Lailaaj is set to enchant theatre lovers in Mumbai and beyond.
