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51 protagonists, 15 historic locations, 120 minutes: How the Constitution was made into a play

The play has been created by Artistic Humans, a Mumbai startup founded by Mahajan to produce plays, curate festivals, design artistic and learning-based workshops, among others.

4 min readPuneJan 23, 2026 09:56 PM IST

Scene from the play created by Artistic Humans, a Mumbai startup founded by Mahajan

The Constitution of India is the most powerful book in the country – and also, its the most unread one. In 2024, Mumbai-based artist and entrepreneur Darshan Mahajan wondered, “What if the Constitution of India wasn’t something you read but something you experienced?” What if it were presented as a Marathi play and staged across the cities and villages of the state? “The vision was to make a play that had never been made before,” says Mahajan.

Within a year, a play, Rashtragranth, was ready. Mahajan and a team of 50 artists have been tweaking it into “a gripping two-act production that takes you on a powerful journey through India’s historical and modern relationship with its Constitution”. There are 51 protagonists and the stage design, recreating 15 historic locations, is by Sandesh Bendre, an award-winning set designer.

Since 2025, Rashtragranth has been touring as free, pilot performances through nine districts of Maharashtra for audience feedback, including of Bhimrao Yashwant Ambedkar, the grandson of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. This Republic Day, the grand, large-scale play will have its public launch in Mumbai. It will travel to Pune on February 9, with the city actor Mubin Tamboli playing Ambedkar.

There are 51 protagonists and the stage design, recreating 15 historic locations, is by Sandesh Bendre, an award-winning set designer.

The play has been created by Artistic Humans, a Mumbai startup founded by Mahajan to produce plays, curate festivals, design artistic and learning-based workshops, among others to empower the unorganised sector of artistic talent, and Culturally by ShubhLab, another Mumbai startup focused on sustainable livelihoods and empowerment.

Acclaimed playwrights Prasad Thorve and Abhiram Bhadkamkar have scripted the story; Kumar Sohoni, a National School of Drama (NSD) alumnus and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award winner has directed the play. The original music is by Milind Joshi and costumes by Chaitrali Dongre,
As the audience settles down in the hall and the lights dim, the play begins with three college students – two of whom are trying to figure out an assignment on the Constitution. They take help of one of their friends, Hetal, who is a who is a Constitution scholar. Hetal symbolises the Constitution as she knows everything.

Spanning two hours, the play transforms constitutional ideas from “written text into a vibrant cultural experience, inviting people of all ages, especially the youth, to engage with the principles that unite India and empower its citizens”. Various milestone events, such as labour laws, women rights, Dalit rights, Adivasi rights and child labour, are portrayed on stage.

One section deals with the Shah Bano case, another with land reforms. “We are trying to show how, after implementation, the Constitution has impacted various segments of society. A woman says, ‘The Constitution is in place, but how is it impacting our lives?’ One of the characters replies, ‘Women have equal rights to vote, it is real power in the hands of women,’” says Mahajan.

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Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has written to Mahajan about the play. “The efforts undertaken by Artistic Humans to bring vital themes such as Constitutional rights and duties, social justice, gender equality, democracy, caste, and citizens’ rights to the stage in a compelling and impactful manner are truly commendable. This initiative deserves heartfelt appreciation, and sincere congratulations are extended to the organisation and all the artists involved for their meaningful contribution,” the CM wrote.

Prathmesh Navalkar, founder of Culturally by ShubhLab, who has followed the play as it was staged in Solapur and other places. “Our vision is to create a sustainable ecosystem for artists and technicians who breathe life into this project. We are integrating workshops and art experiences around the Constitution and folk arts forms, enabling assistive tech for senior citizens and persons with disabilities, and lowering ticket fee than the industry standards,” he said.

Mahajan adds that the people creating the play at different levels represent the wide diversity of India. “The play has been created by people from all kinds of caste, creed, regions, tribes and religions. That makes me so proud,” he says.

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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