The National School of Drama has announced the Mumbai leg of the 25th Bharat Rang Mahotsav, widely regarded as the world’s largest international theatre festival. The Mumbai programme will run from February 9 to 13, 2026, at the Prabodhankar Thackeray Auditorium. The event is being organised in collaboration with the Maharashtra government’s Department of Cultural Affairs and the P. L. Deshpande Maharashtra Kala Academy.

The 2026 edition carries the theme “Samvad Sanskritiyon Ka,” or Dialogue of Cultures. In Mumbai, audiences will see a carefully curated lineup of nationally and internationally recognised productions, many adapted from award-winning literary works and iconic plays. The selection reflects a broad theatrical spectrum, moving from comedy to tragedy, realism to farce, and also showcasing Indian folk traditions such as Nautanki.

Bharat Rang Mahotsav 2026 is planned as a 25-day celebration of theatre, scheduled from January 27 to February 20. Across its various venues, the festival will present more than 277 productions in 228 Indian and international languages, including several lesser-heard and under-represented linguistic traditions. Theatre groups from nine countries, along with participants from every Indian state and Union Territory, will take part, underlining the festival’s scale and its commitment to cultural diversity.