Aurangzeb

Written by Indira Parthasarathy

Directed by Sathish Sattanathan

May 31 – Jun 7, 2025

Sunnyvale Theatre

Step into the turbulent world of 17th-century India, where power, faith, and family collide in a gripping exploration of ambition and morality. Aurangzeb, a historical drama by acclaimed playwright Indira Parthasarathy, delves into the rise of the Mughal emperor whose name is synonymous with tyranny and religious zeal. Yet, behind the mask of an unyielding ruler lies a man torn between his devout convictions and the blood-soaked path to the throne.

Through masterful dialogue and searing character portrayals, the play paints a nuanced portrait of Aurangzeb’s fraught relationships with his father, Emperor Shah Jahan, and his siblings, especially Dara Shikoh, his elder brother and philosophical antithesis. As Aurangzeb wrestles with his inner demons, the drama lays bare the costs of power and the fragility of human bonds in the face of unrelenting ambition.

Aurangzeb is a timeless tale of politics, betrayal, and the complex interplay of faith and governance, inviting audiences to reflect on the moral dilemmas that define leadership and legacy.

English | Age 15+ | 120 mins

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Season Sponsor

Director

Sathish Sattanathan is a theater enthusiast keenly interested in all aspects of theater. He has acted in many Tamil and English plays with prominent Bay Area theater groups. He debuted with BADCo as Mohan Hattangadi in Girish Karnad’s Wedding Album. Aurangzeb is his third time directing for BADCo after The Cherry Orchard and Our Stories (Tamil).