Actress Samikssha Batnagar, known for her role in Anupamaa, is set to begin a new chapter with her first production, Shikhandi. Presented under her banner, Samikssha Stage Craft, the musical theatre production explores the lesser-known story of Shikhandi from the Mahabharata.
The play is scheduled to premiere on September 26, 2026, at St. Andrews Auditorium in Bandra. Through the production, Samikssha hopes to bring attention to Shikhandi’s emotional journey, including the character’s experiences of rejection, sacrifice, transformation, revenge and resilience.
Why Shikhandi for Her Debut Production?
Samikssha said she wanted her first production to focus on a story that has not received enough attention despite its significance.
“I always wanted my first production to tell a story that people haven’t truly explored,” she said. “Shikhandi from the Mahabharata has always intrigued me—not just for who she became, but for the emotional journey behind her transformation.”
While Indian audiences have witnessed several stage and screen adaptations of the Ramayana and Mahabharata, Samikssha believes Shikhandi’s individual story remains relatively unexplored.
“Through my play, I want audiences to discover the untold side of Shikhandi—the pain, strength, struggle and journey that history rarely speaks about,” she added.
Exploring the Person Behind the Warrior
For Samikssha, playing Shikhandi involves much more than portraying a warrior. The role demands an understanding of the emotional experiences that shaped the character’s identity and choices.
She is focusing on Shikhandi’s pain, rejection and transformation while attempting to present the character as a complete individual rather than reducing the story to its battlefield connections.
“Beyond the warrior, I want audiences to witness her emotional journey—the pain, struggles, rejection and experiences that shaped her into Shikhandi,” the actress explained.
Preparing for a Challenging Role
The portrayal also requires Samikssha to approach the character’s transgender identity with care and preparation. She acknowledged that bringing the role to life as a woman involves several artistic challenges, particularly in terms of physicality, voice and body language.
“Playing a transgender character as a woman is a challenge in itself, especially when it comes to physicality, voice and body language,” she said.
Director Kulvinder Bakshish Singh has been helping her develop the character through voice modulation and physical-expression training. Samikssha is working closely with him to create a performance that feels convincing and sensitive.
Balancing Anupamaa and Theatre
The production has also required Samikssha to manage a demanding schedule. She continues to shoot for Anupamaa almost every day, while the play requires intensive rehearsals and preparation.
“Balancing television and theatre has certainly been challenging,” she said. However, she expressed gratitude to her production team for supporting her theatrical commitments.
Samikssha specifically thanked Rajan Sir, Vivek Jain Sir and the entire team for accommodating her schedule and helping her pursue the project.
Theatre Remains Her First Love
Although she is widely recognised through television, Samikssha said theatre continues to hold a special place in her life. The immediacy of live performance and the direct response from the audience make the medium uniquely rewarding for her.
“Theatre feels like home to me. There’s something incredibly special about performing live and experiencing the audience’s reactions right there in the moment,” she said.
She added that every stage performance helps her learn and grow as an actor. With Shikhandi, Samikssha hopes to create a production that makes the entire team proud and gives audiences a memorable theatrical experience.
Supported by director Kulvinder Bakshish Singh, presenter Abhishek Narayan and the wider production team, Shikhandi represents the beginning of Samikssha’s journey as a producer and creative force in theatre.
