Chandigarh University’s ‘Dastak Theatre Festival 2025’ Concludes with Acclaimed Theatre Artist Makarand Deshpande’s Play ‘Gandhi’
Actor, Writer & Director Makarand Deshpande’s Solo Act in Theatrical Performance ‘Gandhi’ Enchants Audience on Concluding Day of Chandigarh University’s ‘Dastak Theatre Festival 2025
Acclaimed Theatre Artist Makarand Deshpande’s Powerful Play ‘Gandhi’ Brings Curtains Down on Chandigarh University’s 5-Day Theatre Festival
India's Most Celebrated Theatre Artists & Film Veterans Come on Stage at Chandigarh University’s Dastak Theatre Festival 2025
Chandigarh November 13, 2025- The five-day ‘Dastak Theatre Festival 2025’, organised by Chandigarh University (CU) with the theme ‘A Knock on the Door of Emotions’, concluded with the presentation of the much-anticipated theatrical performance ‘Gandhi’, by acclaimed actor, writer and director Makarand Deshpande.
The closing ceremony of the theater festival, oraganised by Chandigarh University’s Department of Art and Cultutal Affairs, was graced by Pradeep Kumar Mohanty, Registrar, National School of Drama as chief guest along with other dignitaries including renowned actor and director Makarand Deshpande, Jagbir Rathee, renowned actor, poet and singer, Kuldeep Kunal, renowned writer and director and media personalities Rajiee M Shinde and Rashmi Jain.
Praising national award-winning play ‘Kaal Roopam’ which was presented by Chandigarh University students before the closing ceremony, actor, writer and director Makarand Deshpande said, “I am very impressed by the characters of 'Kaal Roopam'. When I started watching it, I didn't even blink my eyes throughout the entire play. 'Kaal Roopam' is an ocean filled with different emotions, one gets immersed in it; especially the way a mother's love for her children has been presented on stage, I am deeply moved by that. I had heard that a mother goes to any lengths for her children, but today I have witnessed it with my own eyes”.
An engaging 70-minute long solo act by Makarand Deshpande, the powerful one-act play ‘Gandhi’ enchanted the audience by delving into the life and enduring relevance of Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy through the lens of contemporary society. The play revolved around a "baahubali" a strongman, whose might and aggression are challenged when he encounters a poet who introduces him to Gandhi's ideals of truth, peace, and non-violence.
The play explored how Gandhi's principles confront not just physical violence but also the modern-day brutality of words, trolling, and hate that dominate our social spaces. Through striking monologues, moments of introspection and Deshpande's intense performance, ‘Gandhi’ became both a personal journey and a social mirror asking whether the spirit of non-violence can still survive in an age driven by ego, rage, and virtual warfare.
Before this play, Chandigarh University students presented national award-winning play ‘Kaal Roopam’, which won 1st position at Association of Indian Universities (AIU) National Youth Festival.
In this thought-provoking one act play, based on real events that took place in 1985 in the Etawah district of Uttar Pradesh, the protagonist of the story, Sumitra Singh is declared dead by doctors but an unknown soul enters Sumitra's body after some time. The play showcased a mother's love as immortal, transcending death and time.
Dastak Theatre Festival 2025, which began on 9 November across two venues at Chandigarh University and Punjab Kala Bhawan, Sector 16 Chandigarh, with the theme ‘A Knock on the Door of Emotions’ brought together India's most celebrated theatre and film veterans, emerging artists and passionate performers to explore the power of emotion and storytelling through stagecraft.
The Theatre Festival featured seven powerful plays including six productions by some of India's most celebrated theatre and film veterans Himani Shivpuri, Rajendra Gupta, Makarand Deshpande, Vinay Pathak, Rajat Kapoor, Durgesh Kumar (of Panchayat fame), Kumud Mishra, Rajinder Sharma Nanu, and Ajit Chowdhury along with special presentation of ‘Kaal Roopam’ by students of Chandigarh University. This festival was also be graced by renowned Actor and Singer Gurnam Bhullar, renowned Actress Sargun Mehta.
The six powerful plays staged during the Festival included Suresh Bhardwaj’s ‘Jina Isi Ka Naam Hai" performed by Bollywood's eminent actors Himani Shivpuri and Rajinder Gupta, Sumeet Vyas directed play ‘Puraane Chawal’, featuring actors Kumud Mishra and Shubrajyoti Barat, Ajit Chowdhury’s comedy play, ‘Pati Gaye Re Kathiawaar’ featuring actors Rajinder Sharma (Nanu) and Ajit Chowdhury, Durgesh Kumar directed play “Thes” (hurt) and Rajat Kapoor directed play, ‘Nothing Like Lear’, featuring Vinay Pathak.