Staging a Small Town
Sandeep Shikhar is a familiar name to most involved or interested in theatre. With a career spanning across three decades as actor, playwright, and director – acting across various films and web series like Panchayat, Jaadugar, Home Shanti and Azaad – Shikhar is also the co-founder of city-based theatre group Indian Ensemble. His latest contribution is directorial, with his play Deluxe Haircutting Salon.
Shikhar's inspiration for the play stems from his own experiences, drawing parallels between Bachchan, the protagonist and owner of the titular salon, and the life he has lived. As Bachchan dreams of becoming a lawyer, Shikhar brings along characters from his neighbourhood to court, unveiling their stories for justice. 'The characters and their backstories have been inspired by people I know, having grown up on a street named Gyan Mukherjee Road in Dhanbad, surrounded by the lawyers' colony – my entire childhood there left a huge impression on me,' Shikhar reveals.
The themes the play deals with are identity, aspiration, and the clash between modernity and tradition. Through the play, Shikhar dives into the complexities of human relationships in a small-town setting, as the protagonist navigates through the daily phenomena of a mundane life and often finds himself in a world different from reality. 'The play examines a very basic premise of a fundamentally aspirational society, which at the moment is in a race to become better, stronger and wealthier. I am also trying to explore the possibilities of empowering the common man and the price that others would pay if the pardon is not granted,' he notes.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India.com
19 hours ago
- India.com
Made for Rs 30 lakh, this web series has no big stars, still has IMDb rating of 9.1, beats series like Panchayat, Dupahiya in…, lead actors are…
If you enjoy watching movies and series on OTT and enjoy comedy genre content, you have probably seen village comedy web series like Panchayat, Dupahiya and Nirmal Pathak Ki Ghar Wapasi, but today we have the scoop for you about a series that is even more amazing than these. While it can be considered a competitor of Panchayat, its IMDb rating is slightly higher than Panchayat's. One Of The Best Shows The show we're discussing is a popular Indian online series, Gullak , which portrays the struggle of a middle-class family. It garnered a lot of praise for its moving plot and realistic characters. This series has had four seasons released thus far, and each has been a huge hit. When you see how simple, personal and full of comedy this series is, you will undoubtedly become a fan and will not wait to watch all of the following seasons. What Gullak Is All About The plot revolves around Santosh and Shanti Mishra , their two sons Anand 'Annu Bhaiya' and Aman , and their neighbor 'Bittu ki Mummy' . The Mishra family faces the problems of small-town life, job, family, and relationships, which are depicted in a blend of humor, challenges and affection. Shreyansh Pandey created this series under the banner of 'The Viral Fever' (TVF) who have given us astonishing shows like Pitchers, Permanent Roommates, Hostel Daze, Aspirants, Sapne Vs Everyone and Kota Factory . The main cast includes Jameel Khan, Geetanjali Kulkarni, Vaibhav Raj Gupta, Harsh Mayer, Sunita Rajwar , and many others in pivotal roles. As per reports, this series was made under the budget of 30-50 lakhs, which has been acquired by crowdfunding and small promotions. IMDb Rating and Accolades This mini series of 5 episodes in each season. It has got an amazing rating of 9.1 out of 10 on IMDb and audience has also given it a huge round of applause for its content-oriented theme. All its seasons are available to watch on the OTT platform SonyLIV . Meanwhile, the fourth season is all set for its premiere on June 7th, 2025.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
From Panchayat season 4 to The Family Man season 3 to Mirzapur season 4 to Farzi season 2: When are these web series likely to release?
Panchayat Season 4 The Trial Season 2 The Family Man Season 3 Kohrra Season 2 Mirzapur Season 4 Farzi Season 2 Rana Naidu Season 2 2025 is shaping up to be a golden year for Indian OTT, as fan-favourite series across genres are making long-awaited comebacks. Whether it's small-town satire, high-stakes espionage, gritty crime, or intense courtroom drama, there's something for every kind of viewer. Platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ Hotstar are rolling out the red carpet for sequels and new seasons of their most-loved titles—some with fresh twists, others with interactive surprises. Here's your ultimate watchlist of the year's most anticipated continues to be a darling of the Indian streaming scene, striking a rare balance between humour, heart, and rural realism. Initially scheduled for a July 2 release, the makers have now handed over the decision to fans. In a new promo, Phulera's political campaign turns into a tongue-in-cheek viewer poll where you can "vote" to watch the show early. Jitendra Kumar (Sachiv ji) and the ensemble cast—Neena Gupta, Raghubir Yadav, Sanvikaa and more—return to add yet another chapter to the quirky lives of the Phulera residents. Get ready for catchy campaign songs, wild promises, and emotional punches wrapped in bold move into the digital courtroom is far from over. The Trial: Pyaar, Kaanoon, Dhokha returns for a second season, with Noyonika Sengupta stepping deeper into legal drama and personal chaos. Spotted filming with veteran actor Asrani, the BTS glimpses have already sparked major buzz. The series follows Noyonika's struggle to rebuild her life and career as a lawyer after her husband is jailed in a sex scandal. Balancing courtroom battles and domestic tensions, the new season is expected to intensify the moral dilemmas and emotional stakes introduced in Season 1. Streaming soon on Disney+ years of anticipation, The Family Man Season 3 is finally dropping in November 2025 on Amazon Prime Video. Manoj Bajpayee returns as Srikant Tiwari, the relatable intelligence officer trying to balance family dinners and national danger. This time, the scale is even bigger, with Jaideep Ahlawat joining the cast as a formidable new antagonist. The show, known for blending sharp commentary with edge-of-your-seat action, will pick up from where Season 2 left off. With Raj & DK steering the ship, fans can expect yet another masterclass in storytelling, espionage, and emotional Punjabi crime gem Kohrra will be back with a chilling new case. The new season will revolve around the brutal murder of a woman found at her brother's home, sparking an investigation led by a newly transferred officer and his tough-as-nails boss, Dhanwant Kaur. As secrets unravel, the detectives must also confront their own emotional baggage. With the same dark, atmospheric style and a fresh narrative, Kohrra Season 2 aims to delve even deeper into human psychology, family complexities, and small-town corruption. It's expected to premiere later in 2025, bringing back Sudip Sharma's signature tension-filled a stormy third season, Mirzapur has officially been renewed for Season 4. While the release date is still under wraps, fans can expect it between late 2025 and early 2026. The blood-soaked world of Purvanchal is far from done, as Guddu Pandit battles to retain power and Kaleen Bhaiya plots his revenge. The gritty, violent saga promises new rivalries and the return of familiar power players like Ali Fazal, Pankaj Tripathi, and Shweta Tripathi. With Excel Media and Prime Video backing the project, Mirzapur Season 4 is gearing up to raise the Kapoor is ready to dive back into the world of counterfeiting with Farzi Season 2, which is expected to go on floors before the end of 2025. According to a Pinkvilla report, filming could begin as early as December. While an official release date is still under wraps, the makers are reportedly eyeing a festive release around Diwali 2026. The first season, directed by Raj & DK, won praise for its gritty storyline, smart visuals, and Kapoor's solid OTT debut. With fans eagerly waiting for what Sunny does next, Farzi 2 could be one of the biggest releases of 2026—if everything goes as Naidu is back—and this time, it's personal. The second season of the Rana Daggubati-Venkatesh Daggubati starrer will hit Netflix on June 13, 2025, and its recently released trailer is already creating waves. As Rana takes on a new adversary—Rauf, played by Arjun Rampal—the stakes are higher than ever. With family tensions, old scores, and risky operations piling up, this season promises to be darker, grittier, and even more emotionally charged. The cast also includes Surveen Chawla, Kriti Kharbanda, Abhishek Banerjee, Sushant Singh, and Dino Morea, making it a full-blown ensemble showdown with all the ingredients of a binge-worthy drama.
NDTV
a day ago
- NDTV
Rasha Thadani Brings The Weekend Razzle Dazzle In A Shimmery Silver Dress
Quick Read Summary is AI generated, newsroom reviewed. Rasha Thadani impresses with her chic fashion sense since her Bollywood debut. The actress wore a stunning silver slip dress with a sleek silhouette and sheer paneling. Her soft glam makeup featured a dewy base, neutral eyeshadows, and a nude lip color. Ever since her Bollywood debut, Rasha Thadani has brought a strong fashion game to the table. Every time she makes a public appearance, the onlookers are totally smitten by her chic and elegant wardrobe choices. This time, the 20-year-old actress stunned in a shimmery silver slip dress that came with the perfect sparkly details. Also Read: Rasha Thadani Makes Her Denim Shorts And Bodysuit Look Trench-Coat Chic The sleeveless number that the Azaad actress wore was complemented with a slim-fitting silhouette and thin spaghetti straps that simply made this look a masterpiece in itself. The floor-grazing slip dress featured a sheer panel on the knee-downwards, that created a subtle see-through effect. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Varinder Chawla (@varindertchawla) Rasha balanced out all the glitz with soft glam makeup, featuring a dewy base, a touch of highlighter on her temples, and subtle blush on her cheeks. Her eyes were decked up with warm, neutral eyeshadows in shades of champagne golds and peachy pinks, with a soft-smudged eyeliner and mascara. She finished off the look with a nude lip colour and gloss to add all the colour and shine. For accessories, Rasha decided to go simple with just some rings and nude heels. Rasha styled her hair in a layered, side-swept manner with long and voluminous waves. Rasha Thadani's love for all things shimmer is no secret. The Gen Z actress often dresses up in glittery outfits for festivals, weddings and public appearances. Earlier this year, Raveena Tandon's daughter stepped out in an all-golden sequin saree, which she paired with a matching blouse. The golden sartorial piece came with all over sequins work, which she draped with the utmost grace and elegance. Rasha accessorised her traditional look with matching heels, green bangles, a couple of rings and a bracelet. For makeup, she opted for a subtle glam base, lots of highlighter, blush laden cheeks, mascara coated lashes, kohl-rimemd eyes, a silver bindi, and pink lips. With her hair loose and open, Rasha finished off the look on a fashion high. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rasha Thadani (@rashathadani) Rasha Thadani's silver slip dress was all things fine along with being shimmer and shine.
