In an exclusive conversation with Indulge Express, director Atul Tiwari and producer-actor Preeta Mathur Thakur opened up about their latest production, Sita Banbas, which marks the 49th anniversary of Dinesh Thakur’s ANK Theatre. Written in 1928 by Agha Hashar Kashmiri, the play reimagines Sita’s exile with a rare blend of spectacle and depth—bringing alive not just the grandeur of the Parsi theatre tradition, but also the timeless questions of devotion, dignity and liberation that remain as urgent today as ever.
Considering the feminist movement has advanced to a point where women’s voices are heard and their rights more secure, why does the play still hold relevance today?
Atul Tiwari: Classics remain timeless because they mirror our realities. Yes, feminism has progressed, but much still needs to be done. Sita Banbas shows us a queen who, despite being born and married into royalty, is repeatedly forced to prove her worth—something women still face today. Men are rarely put through such character tests, but women almost always are.
Even as conversations arise around false accusations, the truth is that genuine cases of harassment and assault are far greater. The banvas we portray is not just mythological—it’s everyday. From being sidelined in careers after marriage or childbirth, to being restricted during menstruation, society still finds ways to exile women.
Preeta Mathur Thakur: And why should she—or any woman—be tested at all? Her word should be enough. We see banvas as a metaphor for women being pushed out of the mainstream and made to prove themselves twice over. The play’s power lies in how it questions not just Sita’s suffering, but every character’s choices.
As you are playing the character of Sita, what was the most challenging part?
Preeta: I believe there is a Sita in every woman. So it wasn’t difficult to understand her circumstances—it could be any of us. At some point, we must have experienced what Sita went through during her banvas. The harder part was portraying her as a woman with her own journey. Throughout the Ramayana, we talk about Ram—but what about Sita? She was intelligent and well-read, and it must have been torturous for her to sit with her thoughts, unable to express herself, yet forced to endure judgment.
The play was written in 1928 by a Muslim playwright, Agha Hashar Kashmiri. In today’s climate, would a Muslim writer find the same acceptance? Was society more secular then than now?
Preeta: It was a bold move by Agha Hashar, but the fact that he was Muslim writing on a Hindu epic never really struck us—that was the culture of the time. Ram was a cultural ethos. At the end of the day, creativity transcends boundaries. Through art, we must promote the right narrative.
Atul: Though Muslim, Agha Hashar grew up in Varanasi. Ramayana and Mahabharata were part of his cultural ethos. Many Muslim poets contributed to Hindu culture—take Nazeer Akbarabadi, a Mughal-era poet who offered namaaz five times a day yet wrote poetry on Guru Nanak. Even today, Javed Akhtar writes Krishna bhajans for Lagaan. This is possible because of India’s secular spirit. Prime-time news may suggest otherwise, but hatred needs to stop. Negative narratives must be countered with positive ones.
Why present the play in the Parsi theatre style?
Atul Tiwari: Parsi theatre was larger than life—with live music, elaborate costumes, and a distinct acting style. We are using some of those elements. In today’s world of minimalism and realism, I feel it’s refreshing to revisit a traditional form and present a story that still resonates.
What is the role and responsibility of art and artists?
Preeta: Theatre may not directly change policies, but it can sensitize and inform under the guise of entertainment. A well-informed mind makes better decisions. As a group, we always try to strike conversations with audiences—even in curtain calls—because communication is the bigger goal.
Atul: I agree. Art is a catalyst. The Russian Revolution was reflected in the works of Maxim Gorky and Tolstoy, which became catalysts for new thought. Similarly, we can give hope, direction, and meaning—planting seeds for change. Our play raises the conversation around feminism in an engaging, thought-provoking way.
Date: September 30, 2025
Event: Premiere of Sita Banbas
Venue: Prithvi Theatre
Show Timings: 6:00 pm and 9:00 pm
(Written by Arundhuti Banerjee)