The highly anticipated one-man stage play Animal, starring Mahesh Manjrekar, made its debut at Mumbai’s Tata Theatre, NCPA in March 2026. Produced by Ashvin Gidwani under AGP World, the play has drawn attention for its ambitious storytelling and immersive theatrical experience.
Speaking to the media, Ashvin shared the journey behind the production: “Well, it's something we've been working on for 7-8 years. It's a production that we've talked about in the past 17 years, and now it's finally being realized. It's a process because this is the right time to do it. And I think the audience wants to be a part of this immersive experience. It's new, it's fresh, it's different, and I'm sure people will enjoy it and it's going to go global.” His comments highlight the long gestation period and the careful planning that went into bringing this unique theatrical project to life.
When asked why the play was titled Animal and why Mahesh Manjrekar was chosen as the lead, Ashvin elaborated, “Well, there are some actors who are excellent, but there are some actors who are truly excellent who can take this kind of craft in this kind of production to another level. The acting skills that he has behind it are huge, and this role normally plays different characters. He is being one actor who evolves into multiple characters, and that's what it's all about. It takes a long speech to the audience, and he takes the audience with him. So, that's the journey we're on.”
Ashvin also hinted at the play’s expansion across India and beyond: “Well, the next show is, are we just announcing the show, and we've already got some 25 show inquiries by date. So, we're taking it around India, and we're doing it in Hindi today, and then it's going to have its English variant, and then it's going to have its Marathi variant as well.” This multilingual strategy aims to reach wider audiences while preserving the immersive experience of the play.
Animal, written, directed, and performed by Mahesh Manjrekar, explores the struggles of Dattu, a small-town dreamer from near Pandharpur trying to make it in Mumbai. The play captures the emotional toll of ambition, societal apathy, and the harsh realities of urban life, with Manjrekar delivering a performance that evolves across multiple characters in real time.
With a combination of compelling storytelling, Mahesh Manjrekar’s dynamic performance, and Ashvin Gidwani’s vision for a global, multilingual reach, Animal is shaping up to redefine contemporary Hindi theatre and inspire audiences nationwide.