Laughter, tears flow freely in ‘Bali aur Shambu’ performance at Abhinav Theatre

Jammu, April 19: As part of the ongoing Saptahik Rangadhara theatre series, the play “Bali Aur Shambhu” was staged Saturday at Abhinav Theatre, Jammu, garnering appreciation from theatre lovers and dignitaries alike. The performance was graced by Brij Mohan Sharma, Principal Secretary, Department of Culture, Jammu and Kashmir, who attended as the Chief Guest.
Written and directed by Mohitt Mehra, the play offers a heartfelt and humorous portrayal of two elderly men—Bali and Shambhu—residing in an old-age home.
Shambhu, portrayed compellingly by Sandeep Verma, initially resents the cheerful and warm-hearted Bali, played by Vivek Sangotra. As the narrative unfolds, Shambhu’s bitterness—rooted in painful memories of his daughter Titli (Harshita Khajuria) and her lover Shubhankar (Ayaan Choudhary)—gradually gives way. Bali, having been abandoned by his own family, gently chips away at Shambhu’s emotional walls, culminating in a beautiful bond between the two. The performance was further elevated by Seeta as Jhilmil and Bobby Thakur as Gautam.
The production benefited greatly from a skilled backstage team: Mohit Chib served as production manager and handled properties, Seeta designed the costumes, Rajat Kohli managed set design, Aditya Bharti oversaw lighting and Aman Sangral composed the evocative background music. At the conclusion of the play, Brij Mohan Sharma and Harvinder Kour, Secretary of JKAACL, joined renowned theatre personalities Balwant Thakur and Ravi Kemu in felicitating the cast and crew with mementoes, recognising their artistic excellence and contribution to the theatre.
The Saptahik Rangadhara initiative by the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL) continues to revitalise theatre culture in the region, offering a consistent platform for creative expression. The next play in the series, “Aadmi te Chuhe” (Dogri), presented by Hill Thespian group, is scheduled for 26 April 2025 at 6:00 p.m. at Abhinav Theatre.