Ashutosh Rana explores his theatre roots with Humare Ram

Renowned actor, writer and performer Ashutosh Rana is bringing his acclaimed theatre production Humare Ram to Chandigarh, carrying with him not just a play but a lifelong journey steeped in theatre, introspection and artistic devotion. The production has already generated excitement across the country. Many spectators, Rana notes with gratitude, have watched the play 20–25 times — returning each time with the same freshness and joy that can be described as “meeting an old friend for the first time.”

“There is no greater happiness for an artiste,” he says, “than to have a loyal audience. It’s my fortune that I have gotten so much love.”

A life shaped by theatre

While Ashutosh Rana’s cinematic presence — Dushman, Sangharsh, Sonchiriya, Haasil, War and Pathaan among others — has been celebrated for decades; his artistic journey has much been shaped on stage. His years at the National School of Drama molded him into an actor of depth, discipline and sensitivity. He recalls performing in NSD productions, and plays even after passing out, many of which, like Vijaya Mehta-directed Purush, achieved the cult status. But his relationship with the stage began much earlier.

Rana fondly remembers stepping on the stage at the age of four, experiencing for the first time what he calls anand — the pure joy of appreciation. The applause of elders, the acknowledgement of his effort and the sense of responsibility that followed became the foundation of his artistic temperament. “That appreciation taught me that an artiste must be nipun — skilled, disciplined, accountable,” he reflects. “The stage trains you to respect your craft.”

Learning and a continuing yatra

After graduating from the NSD, Rana embarked on what he describes as a long, fulfilling sukhad yatra — a journey of learning, unlearning and relentless self-refinement. He believes that acting is not merely performance but a process of meeting oneself over and over again. “Mere liye acting khud se khud ki mullakat hai,” he says. “Each of us carries many selves within us — ten, twenty, perhaps more. Acting helps me connect with those selves. It is a form of salvation.”

This philosophy is at the heart of Humare Ram, a production that blends mythology, inner reflection and contemporary relevance. It invites viewers to look not only at the story of Ram but also inward — toward their own values, conflicts and conscience.

A performance, a pilgrimage

For Rana, bringing Humare Ram to Chandigarh is not merely a tour stop but a meaningful continuation of that personal pilgrimage. As he and his team travel extensively across cities, he expresses both astonishment and gratitude that audiences have begun to “know” him again through theatre — not as a film star but as a storyteller. He describes each staging as a reunion of hearts — a moment where performer and audience meet in a shared emotional and spiritual space. Humare Ram promises an evening of reflection, devotion and artistic excellence — a performance that, like Rana’s own journey, blends mythology with humanity, discipline with emotion, and art with self-discovery.

Humare Ram will be staged at the Indradhanush Auditorium, Panchkula, on December 6 and 7.