Abhishek Banerjee returns to theatre after 20 years

Abhishek Banerjee is returning to his first love, theatre, after two decades. Before making his mark in Bollywood and the OTT space, he began his artistic journey with stage plays in Delhi. Now, 20 years later, he is reuniting with his original theatre group for a solo satirical comedy, Tu Kya Hai, which will be staged in Mumbai later this month. The play is a satirical take on the struggles of aspiring artistes, exploring the challenges, absurdities, and quiet moments of reflection that come with chasing one’s dreams. Speaking to Mumbai Mirror about his return to the stage, Abhishek said, “Theatre is where I learnt to breathe as an artiste. It taught me rhythm, truth, and how to fail without fear. For the last 20 years, my journey has been about chasing roles, telling stories, and building a career in cinema, but somewhere, the stage kept calling me back. Tu Kya Hai is deeply personal because it holds up a mirror to my life and, in many ways, to anyone who has ever questioned themselves. It’s about that late-night whisper we all hear, ‘Tu kya hai?’ when the lights are off, and the applause has faded.” He adds, “Coming back to the theatre to perform with my old theatre friends feels like closing a circle or maybe starting a new one. This isn’t just a play for me; it’s a homecoming.”Abhishek, who first appeared in Rang De Basanti as a student auditioning for a documentary role, began his journey in Bollywood as a casting director. Known for his versatile performances, he has since featured in films like Stree, Dream Girl, Bhediya, Apurva, Stolen, and Vedaa.