SANTWANA SAIRA JOHN
Mr. Savyasachi Anju Prabir
santwana_j@nid.edu
Khel ki Rihla is a documentary on Aagaaz Theatre Trust, a non-profit working with children and young adults in Delhi’s Nizamuddin Basti. Founded by Sanyukta Saha in 2009, Aagaaz emerged from her work with the Aga Khan Foundation’s Urban Renewal Project, where theatre and arts were used as tools for community revitalisation. Children who once participated in informal workshops have since grown into repertory members, nine of whom now work regularly with younger kids alongside theatre practitioners from across Delhi. Over the years, the group has staged plays nationwide, rooted in lived experiences and told with dignity. The film weaves together the space of Aagaaz with one such play, Rihla, born from the question: “What kind of country do you want to live in?” Through debates, humour, and conflict, the play reveals collective dreams and anxieties. The documentary reflects on Aagaaz as a space of creative freedom, imagination, and belonging.