Aurangzeb - a play for our times
Left, Aurangzeb Alamgir, unknown artist, Wikimedia. Right, Akshaye Khanna as Aurangzeb in Chhaava
Set against the backdrop of the battle for succession to Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, Indira Parthasarathy’s Aurangzeb is a gripping political drama about power, faith, and the high cost of ambition. It is the final production of our 2024–25 season.
Aurangzeb is a disciplined historical drama. Every name, event and factual detail in the play is rooted in documented history. (Although there is some controversy over how many children did Mumtaz actually give birth to. Some accounts say it was 16!)
The play does not judge. The “camera” of the play observes Aurangzeb closely — warts and all — but unlike the recent Bollywood epic Chhava, it doesn’t linger on his villainy.
Because the historical narrative isn't even the point. At its core, the play is about a nation at a crossroads — a family torn apart by competing visions for its future. Between Dara Shikoh’s tolerance and pluralism and Aurangzeb’s extremism. Between ideology and pragmatism. The human cost of power struggles. The fragility of pluralism in the face of extremism. The painful choices leaders make in pursuit of legacy. It’s not just about Mughal India in the 17th century. It is the world of today.
We are delighted to welcome Sathish Sattanathan back as director. This is his third time directing for us. I am also excited to be in the cast myself, playing Shahjahan. See you at the show!
– Basab Pradhan