Pranav Birje | The News Bulletins
For the past two years, Pune-based writer-director Vinod Ratna and his team have been consistently winning one-act play competitions, drawing widespread attention in the theatre circuit. This year, at the state-level one-act play competition organized by the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Natya Parishad, their play “Chiranjiv Perfect Bighadlay!” swept all the major awards in the final round. From writing, direction, acting, stage design to lighting, the play stood out for its fresh and innovative experiments.
Now, this acclaimed one-act play has been adapted into a full-length play, which will premiere on November 5, 2025, marking Marathi Rangabhoomi Day. The play will be presented by Chandrakant Kulkarni, and notably, the original ensemble cast that shone in the competition will now make their debut on the professional theatre stage. Produced under the banner of Jigisha, the play’s rehearsals are in full swing.
The journey from one-act and long play competitions and state-level drama contests to mainstream professional theatre is a familiar one for Marathi audiences. Yet, this particular production stands out for its vibrant, young, and dynamic team of writers, directors, actors, and actresses who embody the energy of the new generation. Past successes like “All the Best” and “Manomilan” have proven how such experimental transitions can achieve massive popularity.
The new-generation perspective in the play’s theme and presentation offers fresh theatrical possibilities and reflects a bold, contemporary outlook. “Bringing this Gen Z story to the stage gives us an opportunity to connect with the younger generation. Our goal is to pass the legacy of theatre from one generation to the next,” said producers Shripad Padmakar and Dilip Jadhav, along with presenter Chandrakant Kulkarni.
Writer-director Vinod Ratna, along with the talented artists Samruddhi Kulkarni, Shreyas Joshi, and Vaibhav Randhve, who have already made their mark in the competition circuit, are expected to receive enthusiastic appreciation from theatre lovers across Maharashtra for this new staging.
Credits:
Writer-Director: Vinod Ratna
Set Design: Rutuja Bothe
Lighting Design: Abhipray Kamthe
Music: Kaladarshan, Pune
Narrator: Pranit Bodke
Cast:
Samruddhi Kulkarni
Shreyas Joshi
Vaibhav Randhve