Pankaj Tripathi is returning to his artistic roots—this time as a producer. The National Award–winning actor, along with his wife and business manager Mridula Tripathi, has launched Roopkatha Rangmanch, marking the couple’s official entry into theatre production. Their maiden venture, a musical comedy titled Lailaaj, will also see their daughter Aashi Tripathi make her much-anticipated stage debut.
Written, directed, composed, and penned by Faiz Mohammed Khan, Lailaaj promises a lively mix of humour, music, and heartfelt storytelling. The show will run on the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd of this month at Mumbai’s Rangshila Theatre, offering audiences a refreshing new theatrical experience.
For Pankaj Tripathi, whose acting journey began long before films discovered him, stepping into theatre production is an emotional homecoming. Calling theatre his “first love,” the actor said that returning to the medium in this new capacity feels like life closing a meaningful loop.
“Roopkatha Rangmanch is not just a production house for us—it is an extension of our roots,” Tripathi shared. He reflected on his earliest days in theatre, filled with backstage chaos, borrowed costumes, and the thrill of live performance. “Whatever I am today, theatre has shaped a large part of it—my sincerity, emotion, discipline. When Mridula and I decided to start our banner, I knew our first production had to honour this medium.”
The debut production becomes even more special as their daughter, Aashi, steps into the spotlight for the first time. Tripathi spoke candidly about the mix of pride and responsibility he feels seeing her take her first steps on stage. “Watching her rehearse and grow reminds me of my own early days. Aashi’s debut is not just a family moment—it’s a reminder that every artist must fall in love with the process, and theatre is the purest place for that love to grow.”
Mridula Tripathi echoed the emotional significance of this new chapter. “Roopkatha Rangmanch was born from a shared dream to preserve stories that touch the heart,” she said. Choosing Lailaaj as their first project, she added, felt like the perfect beginning—full of joy, music, chaos, and deeply human emotion. As a mother, watching Aashi prepare has been “profoundly moving,” and as a producer, she is excited to champion a project that celebrates creativity and the timeless magic of live performance.
With an original musical format, a family’s creative legacy, and a passionate team behind it, Roopkatha Rangmanch’s Lailaaj is set to delight theatre lovers in Mumbai and beyond. The production marks an important artistic milestone for the Tripathi family—one that blends nostalgia, ambition, and heartfelt storytelling in a single stage experience.