New Delhi: The 20th Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards (META) 2025 concluded with a dazzling Red-Carpet Awards Night at Kamani Auditorium, New Delhi. Organized by the Mahindra Group and Teamwork Arts, the festival celebrated India’s finest theatre talent. The week-long event showcased ten nominated plays, featuring diverse languages and cultures. Nihsango Ishwar won big, securing awards for Best Production and Best Original Script. Akshay Singh Thakur received Best Director for Swang: Jas Ki Tas. Ranjani Ghosh (Chandaa Bedni) and Suman Saha (Nihsango Ishwar) won Best Actor awards.

META 2025 received 367 entries from across India, covering languages like Bangla, Hindi, English, Bundeli, Malayalam, and Kannada. The jury featured industry veterans, including Lillete Dubey, Dadi D. Pudumjee, Sudhir Mishra, Bruce Guthrie, and Sunit Tandon. The festival honored Shanta Gokhale with the Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions to theatre and literature.

Jay Shah, Vice President at Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., praised the festival’s role in promoting Indian theatre. Sanjoy K. Roy, Managing Director of Teamwork Arts, highlighted the creativity and impact of this year’s winners. The awards recognized excellence in 13 categories, including Best Ensemble for Swang: Jas Ki Tas and Best Choreography for Chandaa Bedni.

The event saw esteemed guests, including NDMC Chairman Keshav Chandra, actor Kabir Bedi, director Rajat Kapoor, and author Vikas Swarup. The jury gave a special mention to Saakshitha Santhosh for her role in Jeevantay Mala. META continues to celebrate Indian theatre, providing a platform for emerging and established artists. With packed audiences and remarkable performances, the festival strengthens its role in India’s cultural landscape.