For Mukesh Chhabra, the man behind some of Bollywood’s most iconic casting decisions, the Khidkiyaan Theatre Festival has never been about fame or finances—it’s always been about heart. As the 8th edition of the beloved theatre festival opened its curtains at Sathaye College in Vile Parle, Mumbai, Chhabra took a moment to reflect on the journey so far. “When you start something like this, it’s tricky because you don’t know how long it’ll last,” he said. “This is something you do out of heart, not because you need to make money.”
Launched in 2016, Khidkiyaan has grown from a niche theatre gathering into one of the country’s most dynamic cultural platforms—completely free to the public. The 2025 edition is no different, offering three days of live theatre, fresh talent, and soulful storytelling. Chhabra couldn’t hide his joy seeing the packed crowds: “It’s been eight years. Look at the people—they love this initiative. I’m happy this worked out.” And clearly, it has—Mukesh revealed that he’s now receiving calls from across the country, asking him to bring Khidkiyaan to their cities.
But Chhabra isn’t content with applause—he has a bigger dream. “I want to take Khidkiyaan to every major city in India,” he said passionately. “I want to get hold of local talent and perform plays with them. I want to invest in local artists, their stories, their voices. I want to bring them to a bigger platform, so they can keep doing theatre in their respective towns.” In an era where mass entertainment often overshadows grassroots art, Chhabra’s commitment to local theatre feels both rare and necessary.
This year’s festival lineup reflects the same spirit of inclusivity and excellence. The plays include Jab Sheher Hamara Sota Hai by Hemanth Pandey, Sab Thaath Pada Reh Jayega by Indu Sharma, and Main Bhi Bacchhan by Mahadev Singh Lakhawat—each exploring a unique slice of Indian life. And adding extra sparkle to the festivities is a diverse lineup of celebrity guests including Piyush Mishra, Hansal Mehta, Tamannaah Bhatia, Sunil Grover, Vijay Varma, Mrunal Thakur, Karishma Tanna, and Tejasswi Prakash.
More than just a festival, Khidkiyaan is a movement—one that nurtures new voices, revives the love for live performance, and reminds us that powerful stories don’t need big budgets, just big hearts. And as Mukesh Chhabra stands at the helm of this revolution, there’s no doubt that his dream of taking theatre to every corner of India is not just possible—it’s already in motion.