Mumbai - The Prithvi Festival 2025, an annual celebration of performing arts, began its 17-day run at the iconic Prithvi Theatre in Juhu, Mumbai, with a star-studded opening night. The event, which commenced on November 1st and will continue until November 17th, drew a large crowd of artists, enthusiasts, and notable Bollywood personalities.
The opening night saw a lively gathering of seasoned actors and theatre aficionados, marking the beginning of the festival themed around "celebrating stories, stage, and community". Among those in attendance were Saif Ali Khan, Naseeruddin Shah, Neena Gupta, and Zahaan Kapoor, along with Ratna Pathak Shah, Boman Irani, and Divya Dutta.
Zahaan Kapoor, a trustee of Prithvi Theatre, was seen mingling with guests, including his brother-in-law Saif Ali Khan. Pictures from the event, shared on Prithvi Theatre's official Instagram account, captured the vibrant atmosphere, with Naseeruddin Shah, Boman Irani, and Neena Gupta dancing and enjoying the festivities. The post was captioned, "An evening of celebration, connection, and theatre's timeless charm. Here's to the warmth, the respect, and the magic that opened Prithvi Festival 2025".
Saif Ali Khan expressed his admiration for the venue, stating, "Prithvi Theatre is the most intimate, romantic, and wonderful theatre in the world". He also mentioned his intention to attend at least four events during the festival. Zahan Kapoor added, "Prithvi Festival is for me a truly magical time, and the buzz of excitement and warmth I find extremely infectious. I want to invite everyone to come, join us for this celebration".
This year's festival promises a diverse range of performances, film screenings, and musical acts. The program includes workshops from industry stalwarts like Naseeruddin Shah, offering attendees a chance to learn from the best in the field.
Several members of the film industry, including Dia Mirza and Lillette Dubey, expressed their regret on social media for missing the opening night. Dubey cited the opening of her show, Zen Katha, on the same day as the reason for her absence. Other actors, such as Rasika Duggal, Shreya Dhanwathary, Aahana Kumra, and Vrajesh Hirjee, shared their appreciation for the festivities through social media comments.
The Prithvi Festival 2025 continues to be held at Prithvi Theatre and Prithvi House, offering new plays and a variety of performing arts. One of the standout performances at this year's festival is "A Fish Ate My Cat" by Dur Se Brothers, written and directed by Yuki Ellias. Other performances in the lineup include "Eden Creek" by Poor Box Productions and "The Queen" by 72° East Productions.
