The world is full of stories of courage and resilience. While many remain unheard and unheard, some come into the spotlight in the form of a book, film or even a play. there is such a story Ananya – A journey beyond imagination – The inspiring journey of an ordinary girl with extraordinary dreams.

Ananya is a brilliant student and achiever, known for her confidence, charm and beauty. Her future looks bright – with a promising career and an engagement to a rich man who falls in love with her. But a tragic accident turns his world upside down. Hopes are dashed, relationships are broken and those who once cheered him on now consider him a burden.

Written and directed by Pratap Fad and produced by Sejal Deepak Painter, the play stars renowned television, film and theater actor Shweta Gulati in the lead role, ably supported by Chitrashi Rawat, Atul Tiwari, Mustafa Barmawala, Sawant Singh Premi and Siddharth Bodke.

Ananya“Inspired by a real-life story. A few years ago, I read a Marathi book which had two stories of women – one about a woman suffering from cancer, the other about a girl like Ananya. I took the premise of Ananya from the book, fictionalized her and wrote the play. I wanted to tell the story of this girl, who is living somewhere in the world, and tell it in my own way,” says Pratap.

The play unfolds against the backdrop of an extravagant, elaborate stage set, devoid of live music, dancing or stylization, and presents a realistic portrayal. Shweta’s powerful performance as Ananya – a young woman who loses her hands in an accident, symbolizes both the fragility and cruelty of the human psyche.

The story unfolds through dialogue, acting and recorded sound effects. “We have ensured that the play does not sound preachy,” explains Pratap. “Instead, it presents a piercing truth: those who face life’s harshest blows cannot even afford the luxury of reflection. They must constantly fight, to be seen and accepted beyond their disabilities and challenges. Here, resilience is not a choice, but a condition of survival – where survival itself turns into a story of triumph.”

Her scars write the story of her journey of survival. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Despite being a story of survival, Ananya, the director reveals, neither succumbing to sentimentality nor drowning in tears. “Instead, it’s full of laughs, satire and moments of excitement.” He also shared that the audience has appreciated the scenes where the hero overcomes small challenges using his legs – learning how to work on a laptop, brushing his teeth or folding a blanket with his legs. And one particular scene that always draws thunderous applause is the scene where she crawls on the floor, uses her feet to pop a fire extinguisher, and extinguishes the fire in her kitchen. Suddenly realizing that his legs can now do the work as his hands land with the most force.

Like its protagonist, the play also has a journey of its own. First staged as a one-act play in 2009–2010, it evolved into a full-length Marathi stage production in 2017. The commercial success of the Marathi play paved the way for Ananya to make a Marathi film of the same name in 2022. “A leading Marathi filmmaker asked me if I could adapt the story for the big screen. To me, it meant the narrative could inspire more people,” said Pratap, who was later asked to adapt it into a Hindi drama. He says it was a challenge, as he had to train a new group of Hindi-speaking actors for the production and he praises the hard work done by Shweta for the character of Ananya.

The production also relies on a digital spectacle – particularly to depict Ananya’s wedding at the end, “which is projected on a screen”, says Pratap. But, wouldn’t this break the fourth wall of theatre, distract the audience from the pure dramatic elements of making do with what you have, turning the boundary into fantasy?

When his struggle turns into a story of victory. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Pratap agrees, “Keeping in mind the commercial aspects of the play, some cinematic elements had to be brought in,” yet he says the emotional purity of the story remains intact. “Ananya’s journey could have ended with her passing her exams with distinction, or simply at the point where she would have got a job. But, I felt that her chance at love and marriage would encompass the fullness of life. And with such an emotional story, one has to keep the mood a little light, otherwise the story could turn into a heavily somber tone.”

For a theater director, it’s always a tightrope walk – striking a balance between pure dramatic elements and the allure of advertising. The challenge lies in enjoying creative freedom while still keeping an eye on what ensures the success of the play.

Shweta has been appreciated for her role as Ananya. “It took several months of hard physical training, which strained my elbows. But it has been worth it. Ananya This is one of the most difficult and rewarding roles of my career,” she says.

Pratap puts it well: “Ananya not only reminds us of resilience, courage and the art of reclaiming life, but also inspires us to see strengths where others see limitations.”

The play will be staged at the Sir Mutha Venkatasubba Rao Concert Hall, Chennai, June 7, 5 pm. Tickets on BookMyShow.

published – June 01, 2026 05:48 PM IST