The 20th edition of the Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards (META) and Festival 2025 will commemorate two decades of recognizing theatrical excellence by conferring the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award on renowned writer, translator, journalist, and theatre critic Shanta Gokhale. Known for her acclaimed Marathi novels Rita Welinkar and Tya Varshi, both of which won the Maharashtra State Award for Best Novel, Gokhale has made invaluable contributions to Indian theatre and literature.

META 2025’s esteemed jury panel includes celebrated personalities such as Kabir Bedi, Lillete Dubey, Dadi Pudumjee, K. Nandini Singla, and Sudhir Mishra. The festival will take place in Delhi from March 13 to March 19, 2025, showcasing the shortlisted plays for theatre lovers and jury members at the Kamani Auditorium and Shri Ram Centre.

Jay Shah, Vice President and Head of Cultural Outreach at Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., expressed his excitement about the milestone event, stating, “The Mahindra Group is thrilled to announce the 20th Annual Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards. META continues to inspire theatre practitioners and audiences alike, reaffirming our vision to create a meaningful positive impact on theatre in our country. As we celebrate this landmark 20th year, we look forward to a week of outstanding performances showcasing the finest theatrical talent in the country.”

Sanjoy K Roy, Managing Director of Teamwork Arts, highlighted the festival’s significance, saying, “META showcases the diversity and excellence of Indian theatre. META 2025 honours the finest talent from across the country. As we celebrate this landmark year, the festival continues to champion the vibrant theatre community, fostering connections and inspiring diverse stories to take the stage.”

The 2025 edition of META received an overwhelming 367 entries from 25 states across India, along with two international submissions. The final shortlist features plays from Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, West Bengal, and Maharashtra, reflecting the festival’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity. A total of 47 Indian languages and dialects were represented in the entries, with the final 10 nominations featuring plays in Hindi, Malayalam, Bangla, Kannada, Sanskrit, Bundeli, and English.

In its 20th year, META 2025 will present awards in 14 categories, including the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award and 13 competitive categories such as Best Production, Best Director, Best Stage Design, Best Light Design, Best Sound and Music Design, Best Costume Design, Best Actor in a Lead Role (Male), Best Actor in a Lead Role (Female), Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Male), Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Female), Best Original Script, Best Ensemble, and Best Choreographer.

The full list of nominated plays and details can be found online at www.metawards.com.