Qadir Ali Baig Theatre Festival 2026 Brings Theatre Legends to Hyderabad for 21st Edition
October 23, 2026 14:28:54 IST MTG editorial
The Qadir Ali Baig Theatre Festival 2026, one of India's most celebrated theatre festivals, returns to Hyderabad for its 21st edition from November 12 to 20. Over the past two decades, the festival has welcomed prominent theatre personalities from India and abroad, establishing itself as a major cultural event in Telangana. This year's edition promises an impressive gathering of stage and screen personalities, including Rakesh Bedi, Raghubir Yadav, Shivranjan, Jabbar Patel, Mohan Agashe, Deepti Naval, Goutam Ghose and Adil Hussain, alongside performers from a French Embassy-associated group. The festival continues its tradition of bringing diverse theatrical voices together while celebrating India's rich performing arts heritage.
Curated by acclaimed theatre personality and Padma Shri recipient Mohammad Ali Baig, the festival combines theatrical performances with Hyderabad's distinctive cultural traditions. Baig, whose recent film Chand Tara featured at the Cannes and Toronto International Film Festivals, brings together theatre, cuisine and heritage through carefully designed cultural experiences. A traditional Hyderabadi Chowki Dinner at the family's historic haveli adds a unique dimension to the celebrations. Among the highlights, Rakesh Bedi will perform Vijay Tendulkar's classic Massage, while Amol Palekar features in Sandhya Gokhale's Silhouettes. Raghubir Yadav will appear in an adaptation of Ferenc Karinthy's Piano, offering audiences an engaging selection of theatrical storytelling.
The festival also celebrates the contributions of legendary Indian cinema personalities through special presentations. Filmmaker Goutam Ghose's Yatra, featuring Rekha and Deepti Naval, pays tribute to the late Nana Patekar, while renowned director Jabbar Patel showcases the artistic legacy of Smita Patil. Dedicated to the memory of Hindustani theatre pioneer Qadir Ali Baig, the festival continues to honour artistic excellence and cultural exchange. For theatre enthusiasts, performers and theatre groups across India, this edition offers an opportunity to experience distinguished productions and celebrate the enduring power of live performance.
