A Proud Moment at Prithvi: Witnessing a Friend Shine On Stage
Life surprises you in the most beautiful ways—and sometimes, those surprises come from people you’ve known for decades. I’ve known Tejas for almost 20 years. We were college buddies, and over the years, I’ve seen his journey, his ups and downs, and most of all, his unwavering love for acting. Even during our college days, acting was never just a hobby for him—it was his passion, his soul’s calling.
A few years ago, sometime after the lockdown, Tejas shared with us, his close college group, that he was finally taking a bold step—leaving the comfort of the 9-to-6 grind and pursuing acting full-time. We were happy, of course, but also a little anxious. After all, the entertainment industry is no easy path. But deep down, we were proud—proud that he was chasing his dream with courage and conviction.
Fast forward to last week—Tejas messaged in our college WhatsApp group. Our gang of six: Tejas (now the actor), Chirag (a CA), Jalpa (a CS), Dharmesh (an Advocate), and me. He invited us all to come see his play at Prithvi Theatre, Juhu, where he was performing in not just one, but two back-to-back shows: “Rang-e-Majaz” and “Ishq Jale Toh Jale Aesa.”
Everyone initially said yes, but as the day got closer, one by one, people dropped out due to work and other commitments. I didn’t want to miss this chance. I wanted to be there, not just as an audience member, but as a friend. So, I called up Paras, a close friend from my building and an ex-office colleague. Paras, although caught in the corporate loop, is also a passionate theatre lover. Recently, he’s even joined acting classes in Versova to explore his creative side. He instantly said yes.
We reached Prithvi Theatre well before the time. Just being there felt electric—the vibe of the place, the excitement in the air. It was a surreal moment when I saw the posters: Tejas performing in two plays at one of Mumbai’s most iconic venues. That in itself was a huge achievement.
We bought our tickets and grabbed seats in the front row—right in front of the stage. The play began: “Rang-e-Majaz”, a poetic tribute to the legendary Urdu poet Asrar-ul-Haq “Majaz” Lakhnawi. Tejas played the lead—Majaz himself.
From the very first scene, Tejas captivated the audience. He brought Majaz to life—not just through his dialogues, but through his presence, expressions, and the pain and passion in his voice. Majaz, known for his romantic and revolutionary poetry, came alive on that stage through Tejas. His deep ghazals, nazms, and thoughts echoed in the theatre, and I couldn’t believe I was watching someone I knew so well perform with such depth and finesse.
What amazed me even more was learning that Majaz was the maternal uncle of Javed Akhtar, the renowned poet and screenwriter, and Salman Akhtar, a psychoanalyst. It suddenly made sense—how poetic brilliance flows in that family. But what broke my heart was discovering how tragically Majaz’s life ended. The play delicately portrayed his unfulfilled love, struggles with mental health, and the sorrow that surrounded his final years.
The cast was exceptional. Alongside Tejas, artists like Apeksha Deshmukh, Akil Alvi, Animesh Pandey, Shakila Shaikh, Shalini Sanil, and Deepak Kumar performed beautifully. Each actor contributed their soul to the story. The play, written by Kazi Mushtaque Ahmad and directed by Mujeeb Khan, was truly a masterpiece.
After the performance, I got a chance to meet the entire cast. But the proudest moment was hugging Tejas and telling him, “You were brilliant.” He smiled and said, “Bhai, performing at Prithvi itself is a dream. Getting two plays back-to-back here is a blessing.” And it truly is—Prithvi Theatre is not just a venue; it's a temple for actors.
Paras, being an acting student himself, was equally impressed. He pointed out a few technical observations, but he agreed that it was a powerful performance. I may not be from this field, but I became a believer in dreams again that evening.
I walked out of that theatre with goosebumps. Watching a friend chase and live his dream was emotional. I felt proud, inspired, and so full of joy. I truly hope Tejas continues to rise, and one day, I can proudly say, “You know that actor? He’s not just a star—he’s my friend.