Celebrated actor Abhishek Banerjee, also known as Jana from the popular film Stree franchise, is making a much-anticipated return. He returns to his first love. He returns to theatre after a gap of two decades. Before achieving fame in Bollywood, Banerjee began his artistic journey with stage plays in Delhi. He also carved a niche in the OTT space. Now, twenty years later, he is reuniting with his original theatre gang. They will perform a powerful mono satirical comedy, Tu Kya Hai. It will be staged this month at Mumbai’s iconic NCPA.
The play offers a biting satire on the lives of countless dreamers. They leave behind the comfort of their homes. They chase the elusive aspirations of becoming performance artists. Their journeys are marked by moments of pain, absurdity, and struggle, blur the line between tragedy and comedy. Over time, these battles transform into anecdotes, as if life itself were a staged farce.
In this solo performance, Banerjee turns the spotlight inward. He satirises his own journey and lays bare the fault lines of ambition, society, and self-worth. He does this with a mix of humour and unflinching honesty. Tu Kya Hai unfolds in three evocative chapters. One focuses on a typical middle-class Indian household that views art only as a hobby. Another captures the chaotic yet comical hustle of Mumbai’s entertainment industry. The final chapter reveals the quiet, internal conflicts that echo in the stillness of night.
Speaking about his return to the stage, Abhishek Banerjee said, “Theatre is where I learnt to breathe as an artist. It taught me rhythm, truth, and how to fail without fear. For the last 20 years, my journey has been about chasing roles. I have also been telling stories and building a career in cinema. But somewhere, the stage kept calling me back. Tu Kya Hai is deeply personal. It holds up a mirror to my life. In many ways, it holds up a mirror to anyone who has ever questioned themselves. It’s about that late-night whisper we all hear ‘Tu kya hai?’ when the lights are off, and the applause has faded. Coming back to the theatre is like closing a circle. Performing with my old theatre friends feels like starting a new one. This isn’t just a play for me it’s a homecoming.”
Tu Kya Hai promises to be an evening of laughter, reflection, and raw storytelling. Banerjee’s magnetic stage presence meets a narrative that resonates universally.
Unsung bollywood 