Mumbai, 9 March 2026: The premiere of actor-director Mahesh Manjrekar’s Hindi play Animal at Tata Theatre, NCPA, turned into a riveting theatrical experience on Saturday night. Presented by AGP World and produced by veteran theatre impresario Ashvin Gidwani, the play is written, directed, and performed by Manjrekar himself.
Speaking before stepping onto the stage, Manjrekar said, “I don’t have butterflies in my stomach right now… I have dragons! Overconfidence always brings things down. This is one show I’ve wanted to do for a long time.” His energy and passion were evident throughout the two-hour performance, captivating the audience with a mix of laughter, silence, reflection, and applause.
Animal explores the gradual erosion of the human spirit in the pursuit of ambition. At the heart of the play is Dattu, a young man from a small town near Pandharpur, Maharashtra, who arrives in Mumbai chasing dreams of stardom. What starts as hope and self-belief slowly turns into a fight for survival. Manjrekar described the play as “a cartoonist’s take on life in the city,” highlighting the city’s opportunities as well as its harsh realities.
The play also features sharp satire and commentary on politics, finance, socio-cultural life, and the film industry. Pop culture references, witty jokes, and insider nods kept the audience engaged, while Manjrekar’s occasional singing and dancing added a delightful twist to the performance.
Several notable personalities attended the premiere, including Jacqueline Fernandez, Saiee Manjrekar, Siddharth Jadhav, Anusha Dandekar, and Sumedh Mudgalkar. Saiee, along with Manjrekar’s children Gauri Inngavale and Satya Manjrekar, were present to cheer him on. Legendary cricketer Dilip Vengsarkar and noted homoeopath Dr. Mukesh Batra also graced the event.
For Saiee Manjrekar, watching her father perform was an emotional experience. “It was amazing,” she said. “It’s his dream project. To see him put in so much energy into a one-man show is incredibly inspiring.”
After nearly nine years in discussion and preparation, Animal has finally arrived on stage. The play’s powerful storytelling, sharp humour, and emotional depth were met with spontaneous applause and a standing ovation at the end of the evening.
The journey of Animal continues, with the play set to return to the stage on 29th March at Sophia Bhabha Auditorium, Breach Candy, Mumbai, promising another memorable night of theatre.
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