Subhashish Mukherjee: Jharkhand's Tribal Heritage Ripe for Theatre & Cinema

Ranchi: Renowned Bengali theatre and film artiste Subhashish Mukherjee believes Jharkhand’s rich tribal heritage offers immense creative possibilities for theatre and cinema, provided it is approached with sensitivity and social responsibility. Speaking to TOI on the sidelines of Bharat Rang Mahotsav in Ranchi, Mukherjee said the state’s cultural depth deserves wider representation on national stages.“Jharkhand’s tribal culture is vibrant, layered and deeply rooted in lived experiences. Theatre here should evolve as a reflection of society, much like Kolkata’s theatre tradition, while retaining its own identity,” he said adding that folk narratives, oral traditions and everyday struggles of tribal communities could be meaningfully translated into contemporary theatre and cinema.The veteran actor was in Ranchi as part of the 25th International Theatre Festival of India, popularly known as Bharat Rang Mahotsav, organised by the National School of Drama. The five-day festival, which began on Monday, drew packed audiences at Shaurya Sabhagar.Widely known for his comic characters, Mukherjee said his long association with stage and cinema reinforced his belief in socially rooted storytelling.