There is no retake, no second chance: Hafiz Baig on why theatre excites him the most

Across formats, he said, theatre stands apart for the sheer immediacy it demands from everyone involved. He said, "My experience has been across different formats within the entertainment space, including live events, theatre, stage productions and entertainment-led experiences.” 

He feels each medium has its own challenges and added, “But theatre has a very special place because of its immediacy; there is no retake, no second chance. The audience and performers share the same space and energy, and that makes live theatre incredibly exciting to produce."

Talking about what drew him to Saali Poori Ghar Waali specifically, he pointed to its instant relatability. He said, "The idea came from wanting to create a theatre experience that is entertaining, contemporary and, most importantly, connects instantly with the audience.” 

“Saali Poori Ghar Waali has a very relatable comic premise, plenty of situational humour and characters that lend themselves beautifully to a live performance,” he added.

He also spoke about the larger intent behind the production, offering audiences a genuine escape. He said, "I also felt that audiences today are looking for entertainment that allows them to forget their everyday stresses for a couple of hours and simply laugh. That was the core thought behind bringing this production together."

Even the play's title, he admitted, was designed to grab attention instantly. He said, "Even the title Saali Poori Ghar waali immediately creates curiosity; it is playful and unconventional and tells you that there is going to be plenty of chaos and comedy!"

For him, the play's strength lies in the ensemble bringing it to life. He said, "What makes the play particularly exciting is the combination of a strong ensemble cast, Upasana Singh, Vidisha Srivastava, Yogesh H. Tripathi and Naveen Bawa, each bringing their own distinctive comic timing and performance style.” 

“For me, the USP is the combination of a hilarious, relatable storyline, an exceptionally talented cast and the unpredictability of live theatre. It is the kind of show where the audience can come with their family and friends, switch off from everything else and genuinely have a great time,” he added.

As for where the play goes from here, he said, "The play premieres on 30th August 2026, 7:30 pm, at Rang Sharda Auditorium, Bandra, Mumbai. Mumbai is just the beginning. We are looking at taking Saali Poori Ghar Waali to other major cities across India as well.” 

“Theatre has a fantastic audience beyond Mumbai, and our intention is to build this into a larger touring production and take the laughter to audiences across the country. We will be announcing the upcoming cities as the schedule is finalised," Hafiz ended.