In a radiant tribute to a life in theatre, Lillete Dubey’s Primetime Theatre Company marked the culmination of its 35-year journey with a heart-warming staging of Salaam Noni Appa at the iconic Royal Opera House. Lillete, whose acting and directorial career has traversed continents and languages, brought down the curtain on the festival with an evening of laughter, nuance, and theatrical soul that perfectly reflects her ethos as an artist. For theatre lovers across the city, the past months have been a celebration of story and stagecraft. The Primetime Theatre Company’s festival showcased an array of landmark productions – from powerful ensemble works like 9 Parts of Desire to classics such as Dance Like a Man – all of which have been staged in Mumbai as part of the company’s ongoing legacy. But it was Salaam Noni Appa that captured both critics’ and audiences’ hearts as the festival’s grand finale. A STORY OF SECOND CHANCES AND QUIET JOY Adapted from the short story Salaam Noni Appa by Twinkle Khanna, this play adapted for the stage by Adhir Bhat. brings to life a story about age, love and freedom later in life, striking a rare and irresistible chord with contemporary audiences. Originally published as part of The Legend of Lakshmi Prasad, the tale’s transition from page to stage remains remarkably faithful to its source — retaining its humour, warmth and subtle poignancy. Set in the twilight of its protagonist’s life, the play follows Noni Appa, a widow navigating the unexpected world of companionship, passion, and self-discovery. What could have been a gentle comedy becomes something much more profound in Lillete’s hands: a meditation on freedom, friendship, and the courage to rewrite life’s second chapter. A CAST THAT ELEVATES EVERY MOMENT At the heart of the production was Lillete Dubey, who played Noni Appa with her striking elegance, seamlessly weaving together humor, fragility, and quiet resilience in a way that reflected her depth of experience. Well-known actress Jayati Bhatia brought lively comedic flair to the role of Binnie, Noni’s sister, while Yateen Karyekar offered a nuanced and heartfelt portrayal of Anandji, the man who gently pushes Noni beyond her comfort zone. Rounding out the cast, Rishi Khurana and Gillian Pinto contributed thoughtful, well-measured performances that enriched the narrative while keeping its emotional focus firmly intact Audiences and critics alike remarked on how the adaptation captured the spirit of Twinkle Khanna’s original prose — particularly its celebration of life’s unpredictability and the joyous assertion that “love doesn’t retire.” Indeed, as one audience member put it, it was a piece that “made us laugh, made us think, and reminded us that theatre, at its best, reflects our own hidden hopes.” A FITTING END TO THREE AND A HALF DECADES ON STAGE As Lillete and her cast took their bows beneath the historic chandeliers of the Royal Opera House, there was a palpable sense of not just closure but continuing possibility. Over the last three and a half decades, Lillete’s theatre company has staged an impressively diverse body of work in Mumbai and across international venues; spanning modern Indian storytelling to reimagined world classics, all marked by sensitivity and artistic polish. For those who have followed her artistic path — beginning with her formative years at Barry John’s Theatre Action Group and leading to the present — the company’s growth unfolds like a living chronicle, each production and performer representing a meaningful chapter. With Salaam Noni Appa, the celebration became more than a tribute to history; it reaffirmed that meaningful theatre does not dwell solely on what has been, but continually urges audiences to look ahead — to view themselves and the world with greater empathy and renewed curiosity.
