JAMMU, Sep 30: Jammu’s theatre scene has earned another significant national recognition with Padma Shri Balwant Thakur’s internationally acclaimed Hindi play ‘Aap Hamaare Hain Kaun’ selected for the 15th National Theatre Festival ‘NATYAM’, being held at Balwant Gargi Auditorium, Bathinda, Punjab. The play will be presented on October 4, 2026, alongside productions by prominent theatre practitioners and actors, including Bollywood actor Rakesh Bedi, who will present Massage, written by Vijay Tendulkar and adapted and performed by him.
Written and directed by Balwant Thakur, Aap Hamaare Hain Kaun is creating a remarkable record by being featured in three major national/international theatre festivals within eight months. In February, it was presented at the world’s largest international theatre festival; in March, it featured in the Manch Rangmanch National Theatre Festival organised by the Ministry of Culture; and it now joins the prestigious 15th National Theatre Festival at Bathinda.
The production confronts one of the most pressing concerns of contemporary society, the growing pressure placed on children by parents, education systems and social expectations. It questions the relentless race to produce doctors, engineers, lawyers and civil servants, often at the cost of children’s individuality, creativity, emotional well-being and freedom of choice.
The play holds a mirror to a system increasingly dominated by competition, consumerism, technology and performance, asking adults to reflect on the aspirations they impose upon the younger generation. In an age of AI and technology-driven learning, it underlines the urgent need to preserve creativity, empathy, critical thinking and self-awareness.
According to Balwant Thakur, the production emerged from Natrang’s long engagement with children’s theatre, which began in 1990. The creative process consciously moved away from conventional adult-oriented theatrical methods and instead placed children at the centre as co-creators. Improvisation, play, movement and collective imagination became the foundation of its theatrical language.
With more than 300 performances across the country, Aap Hamaare Hain Kaun has evolved into a significant experiment in contemporary children’s theatre. The first generation of children associated with the production in 1994 have since become accomplished actors and theatre practitioners, carrying forward its spirit of creativity, collaboration and respect for the child’s imagination.
The production continues to reaffirm Balwant Thakur’s enduring belief that when children are trusted as creators, theatre itself is renewed.
The young stars who are going to create history for Jammu are Samaeira Raina, Dwijesh Dutta, Aadhwika Gupta, Mahira Gupta, Anmol Sharma, Advik Sharma, Ruhaan Chandan, Kavish Sharma, Rishaan Marhatta, Priyal Ashok Gupta, Supria Gorka, Aarohi Singh, Aaradhaya Thakur, Sachetas Anand, Araiya Shan, Gautam Bhagat and Mehak Chib.
The music is scored by eminent musician Suraj Singh accompanied by Rakesh Kona. The production is assisted by Neeraj Kant and Kananpreet Kaur is the coordinator.