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Cinema has often flirted with the topic of journalism,with Page 3 reporters and others wearing activism (Guru) and sensationalism (A Wednesday) on their sleeve.

Delhis campus theatre reports on media

Cinema has often flirted with the topic of journalism,with Page 3 reporters and others wearing activism (Guru) and sensationalism (A Wednesday) on their sleeve. In the past few months,Delhis campus theatre turned a critical eye to news gatherers,while in late March,Yatrik,one of the citys prominent theatre groups,will stage Breaking News the name itself a dead giveaway on all thats wrong with 24×7 news.

Seventy per cent of our country is agrarian,glamour makes up only 30 per cent. Yet,the media stresses 70 per cent on glamour and 30 per cent on real issues, says Priyanka Sharma,a final-year BSc student of Maitreyee College and co-director of the play Kollage: 70:30/20:30. 20:30 stands for 8.30 pm,the prime-time television slot. Once you understand the numbers,the name doesnt sound weird anymore. Whats weird is that we see more anorexic models on TV than starving farmers.

The electronic media seems to the favourite whipping boy for chasing TRPs with a hunger that doesnt differentiate between news and trivia. Most of the plays attacking the media were born after 26/11 when,as Aparajita Bharti of CBS says,prominent channels were busy congratulating themselves for exclusive stories even at the height of a crisis.

A scene in Tu Gir Gaya Toh Kya,a play by the College of Business Studies,shows a reporter at a stall where two monkeys called Saif and Kareena are performing Bandaro Ka Natak,todays main news. Venkateshwara Colleges Ki Farak Painda Hai sends a clutch of huffing and puffing mediapersons to interview two bombs. The bomb scene was a device to show how the media always creates hype. They might even discover a way to speak to two inanimate bombs, says Ankit Luthra,a final-year B.Com student,about the spoof scene.

There are,however,no references to real channels or reporters. Kollage talks of a fictional NTV,while Khalsa Colleges play Aaj Bhi Kal Ke Jaisa Kyun Hain takes on crime-based talkshows as one of the social evils but the only recognisable characters are politicians Narendra Modi and LK Advani.

While the campus plays have raked in awards at various festivals,director Avijit Dutt of Yatrik knows that his satirical take on the media will earn him few friends. I think it is better than my post-1993 play Bombay-Bosnia,which was banned in Mumbai but was a hit in north India. Breaking News combines politics with reality shows and revolves around a leader who vows to spend time in his constituency without political trappings or amenities like cell phones. He cant do it and disappears. Thus begins a media circus as TV hosts and reporters chase eyeballs by manufacturing clues about the Disappearance. The nation is hooked and they want to milk it for what its worth, says Dutt. The play unfolds on a chessboard stage,and includes live mixing so that the audience can see how news is jazzed up for better consumption, says Dutt.

Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More

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