The festival saw theatre luminaries, playwrights, actors and theatre enthusiasts encourage the best of the best in drama as well as cheer the winners of this edition

The stage was set. The lights were dimmed. Strains of folk melodies filled the. Raw intensity of human emotions set the dais pulsing. The curtains went up on the 20th milestone edition of the Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards and Festival (META) on Thursday, March 13, 2025 at New Delhi’s iconic Kamani Auditorium as Chandaa Bedni, set in the colourful cultural life of Bundelkhand opened the festival.

META marked two decades of celebrating India’s finest theatrical talent, this year’s edition was more than just a festival—it was a tribute to the spirit of stagecraft, a testament to the power of a live performance, and all that goes into making an ensemble production.

Curated with precision and passion, META 2025 featured ten exceptional productions from across the country, each tackling themes of rebellion, mythology, identity, oppression, love, crisis, and hope. The festival’s distinguished Jury brought their discerning eye to the performances and comprised theatre and film stalwarts: celebrated actor and director Lillete Dubey, legendary puppeteer Dadi D. Pudumjee, acclaimed filmmaker Sudhir Mishra, Bruce Guthrie, Head of Theatre & Film at NCPA, Mumbai, and veteran media and theatre expert Sunit Tandon.

As per META tradition, two of the Best Original Script winning plays from 2020 and 2023—For The Record and Hunkaro, respectively—were published by Vani Prakashan. The books were officially launched at the opening ceremony of the festival. Playwrights Chirag Khandelwal and Arvind Charan, who co-wrote Hunkaro, and Kriti Pant, Krittika Bhattacharjee, Niharika Lyra Dutt, Nikhil Mehta, Kshitij Mervin, Kriti Pant, Prashant Prakash, Neel Sengupta and Dhwani Vij, playwrights of For the Record, were present at the book launch, alongside Arun Maheshwari, Managing Director, Vani Prakashan.

After a weeklong theatre festival, in which 10 shortlisted plays competed, came the Red-Carpet Awards Night—META’s grand finale - on 20th March 2025. The evening glowed with anticipation as the country’s finest theatre practitioners, industry veterans, and patrons of the arts gathered to celebrate the best of Indian theatre. The spotlight shone on Shanta Gokhale, renowned journalist, writer, and critic, as she was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award for her unparalleled contribution to Indian theatre and literature. She was presented the META 2025 Lifetime Achievment Award by Sanjoy K Roy, Asha Kharga, Chief Customer & Brand Officer, Mahindra Group and Jay Shah, Cultural Outreach, Mahindra Group (seen above). The night, however, belonged to the Bengali play, Nihsango Ishwar, which swept the awards, claiming Best Production, Best Original Script, Best Stage Design, Best Actor in a Lead Role (Male) and Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Female).

The Awards Night was graced by a constellation of distinguished guests, including award presenters such as Keshav Chandra (Chairman, NDMC), celebrated actor and author Kabir Bedi, acclaimed theatre and film director Rajat Kapoor, and Asha Kharga (Executive Vice President – Group Customer & Brand, Mahindra Group), adding an extra touch of grandeur to the evening.

As the curtains fell on META 2025, it left behind more than just a trail of accolades—it left a legacy. A legacy of voices that dared to challenge, stories that refused to be forgotten, and performances that seared themselves into memory. With each passing year, META continues to redefine the landscape of Indian theatre, proving that the stage is not just a place for performance—it is a space for revolution, reflection, and connection