**Executive Summary**
The Mumbai chapter of the 25th Bharat Rang Mahotsav (BRM) 2026, organised by the National School of Drama (NSD), was inaugurated on February 10, 2026, by Maharashtra's Cultural Affairs Minister Shri Ashish Shelar. The five-day Mumbai edition features six plays in Indian and foreign languages and will conclude on February 13, 2026. The event aims to showcase Indian artistic heritage and inclusivity in theatre.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Event Details:**
* The Mumbai chapter of the 25th Bharat Rang Mahotsav (BRM) 2026 was inaugurated on February 10, 2026.
* It is organized by the National School of Drama (NSD).
* The event is being held from 27 January to 20 February 2026 across multiple cities.
* The five-day Mumbai edition will conclude on February 13, 2026.
* The Mumbai edition features six plays in Indian and foreign languages.
* **Inauguration and Honorees:**
* The inauguration was performed by Maharashtra Minister for Cultural Affairs Shri Ashish Shelar.
* NSD honored Prof. Ram Gopal Bajaj and Shri Govind Nihalani for their contributions to Indian art and culture.
* **Attendees:**
* The inaugural event was attended by theatre artists and citizens of Mumbai, including actresses Ms. Rohini Hattangadi and Ms. Mita Vashisht.
* **Closing Performance:**
* The Mumbai chapter will conclude with Aadhe Adhure by Mohan Rakesh on February 13, 2026.
**Impact Analysis**
**Key Stakeholders: Theatre Artists and Citizens of Mumbai**
* **Impact:** They can attend the Bharat Rang Mahotsav to experience a diverse range of plays and celebrate Indian artistic heritage and inclusivity in theatre.
* **Action Required:** Attend the plays and events within the festival dates.
**Key Stakeholders: Department of Cultural Affairs and Dr.P.L. Deshpande Maharashtra Kala Academy**
* **Impact:** The festival is being organised by these stakeholders.
* **Action Required:** Continue to organise and promote the festival.
**Key Stakeholders: National School of Drama (NSD)**
* **Impact:** The Mumbai chapter of the 25th Bharat Rang Mahotsav (BRM) 2026 is organised by this stakeholder.
* **Action Required:** Continue to support the festival.
Key Entities Referenced
Bharat Rang Mahotsav: An international theatre festival organized in multiple cities, including Mumbai.
National School of Drama (NSD): The organizer of Bharat Rang Mahotsav.
Ministry of Culture: The central ministry associated with cultural events.
Mumbai: The specific location where the chapter of Bharat Rang Mahotsav was inaugurated.
Maharashtra: The state whose 'legacy' as an artistic center is strengthened by the festival.
Ministry of Culture
Maharashtra’s Cultural Affairs Minister Shri
Ashish Shelar Inaugurates Mumbai Chapter of
the five-day Bharat Rang Mahotsav 2026
Noted Actresses Ms. Rohini Hattangadi and Ms. Mita
Vashisht Join to Uplift the Festive Spirit
Posted On: 10 FEB 2026 6:24PM by PIB Mumbai
Mumbai : 10 February 2026
The Mumbai chapter of the 25th Bharat Rang Mahotsav (BRM) 2026, organised by
the National School of Drama (NSD), was inaugurated by Maharashtra Minister for
Cultural Affairs Shri Ashish Shelar at Ravindra Natya Mandir, Dr.P.L. Deshpande
Maharashtra Kala Academy, Mumbai.
On the occasion, NSD honoured Prof. Ram Gopal Bajaj, former Director, NSD, and
noted filmmaker and cinematographer Shri Govind Nihalani, both Padma Shri
awardees, for their contributions to Indian art and culture. The five-day Mumbai
edition features six plays in Indian and foreign languages and is being organised by
the Department of Cultural Affairs and Dr.P.L. Deshpande Maharashtra Kala
Academy.
The inaugural event was attended by theatre artists and citizens of Mumbai,
including veteran actor and NSD alumna Ms. Rohini Hattangadi; actor and BRM
2026 Festival Ambassador Ms. Mita Vashisht; Director, Maharashtra Kala Academy
Ms. Meenal Joglekar; and Joint Director, Department of Cultural Affairs Shri Sriram
Pandey.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Ashish Shelar said that hosting Bharat Rang
Mahotsav strengthens Maharashtra’s legacy as a centre of India’s artistic heritage
and reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting and empowering artists.
The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks by Shri Pradeep K. Mohanty,
Registrar, NSD, followed by the staging of Tamas, directed by Shri Chittaranjan
Tripathy. The play, a dramatic adaptation of Bhisham Sahni’s seminal work, provided
a powerful opening to the festival with its evocative storytelling and emotional
depth.
The Mumbai chapter will conclude on 13 February with Aadhe Adhure by Mohan
Rakesh, directed by Tripurari Sharma and performed by the NSD Repertory
Company.Bharat Rang Mahotsav, the world’s largest international theatre festival, is being
held from 27 January to 20 February 2026 across multiple cities, showcasing
productions from India and abroad and celebrating the diversity and inclusivity of
Indian theatre.
PIB Mumbai | Nitin Fulluke/ Priti Malandkar
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Read this release in: Marathi