Delhi Theatre Festival returns with a stellar line-up

The Delhi Theatre Festival (DTF) returns for its fifth edition, taking place over three days from September 20 to 22.
The festival will be staged across four prominent venues in Delhi NCR: Siri Fort Auditorium, Kamani Auditorium, OP Jindal Auditorium, and Orana Convention in Gurugram.

Organised by Alchemist LIVE in collaboration with American Express, this year’s edition promises an immersive experience with stunning performances, renowned casts, and classic stories.

Patriot catches up with actors Rajat Kapoor, Vinay Pathak, Lillete Dubey and Ranvir Shorey for a chat about theatre, acting and their Delhi connection ahead of their muchawaited performances in the city.

Rajat Kapoor

Bollywood actor and filmmaker Rajat Kapoor returns to the DTF for the third time.

Reflecting on his previous appearances, he shared that he had earlier brought the play Nothing Like Lear to the festival and expressed excitement about performing What’s Done is Done this time around.

Kapoor, who spent the first 24 years of his life in Delhi before moving to the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) and later Mumbai, spoke fondly of his connection to the city.

He described feeling nostalgic every time he visits and noted how Delhi’s beauty continues to overwhelm him. “Delhi is where I grew up. And even now, I have great nostalgia for the city. Every time I come to Delhi, this is my overwhelming thought – ‘Oh my god, what a beautiful city’. I really think it is one of the greatest cities in the world.”
Kapoor said he manages to return to the city five or six times a year, whether for theatre or shoots.

When asked about the theatre scene in Delhi, he admitted he’s currently out of touch but makes an effort to catch plays whenever in town. “Theatre brings me immense joy—both the process of creating a play and performing it for a new audience. It’s such an important part of my life,” he remarked.

Kapoor also reflected on his film career, calling Bheja Fry a game-changer.

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“It became a huge success, which was totally unexpected, and it opened new doors for me as a filmmaker—for a few years at least. From 2005 to 2009, things looked pretty upbeat, not just for me but for indie cinema as well.”
On the changes in the film industry, he noted, “I have been around for little more than 30 years, so it has changed a lot in these three decades. The landscape has changed a lot— new technologies, new filmmakers, and many ups and downs along the way.”

Lillete Dubey

Actor Lillete Dubey expressed happiness to be part of the event in Delhi, a city she calls her home.

Dubey spoke about her deep connection to Delhi and mentioned that she began her theatre journey in the city with renowned thespian Barry John.

“I am keen that people will come and see our work. Delhi is my hometown and I am happy to be there. The city is very dear to me. I was brought up in Delhi. I studied there. I also have my family and friends there so I keep coming back to the city. I started theatre in Barry John Acting Studio,” the actor said.

However, Dubey said that Mumbai has a more active theatre scene than Delhi. She observed that it’s difficult to find local plays in Delhi, with most performances coming from Mumbai.

“When you open a newspaper in Delhi and wish to see a play, you’ll hardly find one. In Mumbai, there are many choices,” she remarked.

Emphasising that theatre plays a significant role in conveying larger messages, Lillete said theatre goes beyond films and OTT platforms.

“It teaches you a lot of things and tells you how to survive. Theatre is my life,” she said.

Vinay Pathak

Actor Vinay Pathak, a regular performer at the DTF for many years, shared how special it feels to be part of an event that celebrates the rich lineage of theatre in Delhi.

“It’s always wonderful to return to the capital for such a wonderful event. Delhi has always had a very rich lineage of theatre and arts of various faculties. I feel privileged and elated to be a part of this. It’s amazing to see such a myriad of theatre being staged at different kinds of venues for all kinds of audiences and patrons of the arts,” Pathak said.

Discussing the city’s theatre culture, Pathak praised Delhi’s enthusiastic audiences and its strong tradition of practising theatre. “Delhi has an enthusiastic audience for theatre. It’s always exciting to perform here.”

Expressing admiration for Delhi’s cultural landscape, the actor added that people in the city have a unique opportunity to engage in arts and cultural activities year-round.

“I also feel that the capital lucks out with such festivals happening throughout the year. People of the city have the special opportunity to indulge in all kinds of arts and cultural activities year-round. I wish I lived in Delhi for the sole reason of this,” he remarked.

Reflecting on his memories of the capital, Pathak said they have always been “happy and special,” especially since his friends and family in Delhi frequently attend his shows. “I have so many friends and family who live in Delhi. And it’s always thrilling to have them as an audience for your shows.”

Talking about acting, Pathak had one piece of advice for budding actors who began their journey in theatre: stay connected to the stage. He stressed that theatre is not just a performance platform but a place to continually hone one’s craft, refine skills, and grow as an artist.

Pathak encouraged young actors to use theatre as their workshop, where they can experiment and develop their abilities before moving on to other mediums. Talking about his acting choices, Pathak said that he takes up roles that allow him to tell the story in the ways that he wants to.

Ranvir Shorey

Actor Ranvir Shorey, acclaimed for his roles in films such as Khosla Ka Ghosla!, Sonchiriya, and Titli, will star in Rajat Kapoor’s What’s Done is Done, a play inspired by Shakespeare’s Macbeth.

Having recently performed the play in Kolkata, Shorey expressed his enthusiasm for the event. “We’re already warmed up. It’s not pop theatre, so we don’t need big names. But I’m really happy that the play has found a corner somewhere, and we’re looking forward to performing it,” he said.

Though unfamiliar with the city’s theatre scene, Shorey acknowledged Delhi’s vibrant tradition in performing arts. “Well, actually I don’t know much about the theatre scene in Delhi because I don’t live in Delhi. But what I gather from my friends like Rajat is that the city has traditionally been a very vibrant place for theatre.”

Discussing the significance of theatre festivals, Shorey emphasised their value for performers and audiences alike. “Of course, any festival—whether theatre or film—is important, not just for performers but for audiences too. Even if I wasn’t performing, I’d be happy just attending, watching plays or films. It’s a very exciting place to be.”

On the role of theatre in an actor’s career, Shorey said, “I think theatre is very important for an actor. It’s a medium that helps build the confidence required. For actors and storytellers, it’s a great ground to work on.”

He highlighted the discipline of memorising lines and performing live, adding, “That itself is a great training ground. For actors, I think it’s a great place to hone your craft.”

When asked about what makes a good play, Shorey remarked, “Anything that moves you or makes you think about it long after you’ve left—whether it’s theatre or film—makes for good art. If it leaves a lasting impression, I think it has worked.”

While optimistic about the current theatre industry, he acknowledged challenges in audience reach. “I’m sure there’s a lot of good work happening, but the challenge is whether it reaches the audience it deserves.”

Reflecting on his career, Shorey identified two turning points. “Game changer for me? Two times, I think things changed. Once was when Khosla Ka Ghosla! and Pyaar Ke Side Effects were released just a week apart in 2006. That suddenly put me on the map,” he said, before humourously adding, “I’m still waiting for another week like that which will put me in the lead actor category.”

Sharing his personal connection with Delhi, Shorey expressed deep affection for the city. “I love this city. I have very fond memories, and I love the places. I have many friends and family here, so I keep coming back.”

He also mentioned his love for Delhi’s cuisine, adding, “Obviously, the food is amazing. I love to eat at the Andhra Bhawan canteen and many other restaurants in Delhi.”