Mumbai University’s Kalina campus is set to host the premiere of ‘Bela Meri Jaan’, a new musical stage production penned by celebrated lyricist, writer, and actor Swanand Kirkire. Known for his evocative words in chart-topping songs like Bande Mein Tha Dum (Lage Raho Munna Bhai) and Behti Hawa Sa Tha Woh (3 Idiots), Kirkire now turns his sharp eye towards exposing another unvarnished truth of Bollywood through theatre.
Kirkire’s latest play promises to shine a light on the price of ambition in the Hindi film industry. The production is directed by Firoz Zahid Khan, a NSD (National School of Drama) alumnus with an impressive global footprint in theatre and acting training.
Bela Meri Jaan is a vibrant musical dance-drama set in the heart of Mumbai, the play follows Ram Verma, a witty detective tasked with finding a missing girl named Ujjwala. His search leads him through bars, back alleys, and the glittering yet treacherous world of Bollywood, only to discover that Ujjwala has reinvented herself as ‘Bela’, a masked singer living under a new identity.
Through gangsters, bar dancers, film stars, and dreamers, Bela Meri Jaan weaves a tale that balances humour, thrill, heartbreak, and spectacle. Complete with songs, choreography, and heightened dramatic flair, the play examines the themes of love, power, and the true cost of fame.
Director Firoz Zahid Khan says, “Swanand ji has written a wonderful play. It’s a joy and honour for me to direct the work of such a seasoned writer. With this production, we want to show how the dream of becoming a star often lures people into dangerous traps, leading them astray.”
Bela Meri Jaan will be staged at Mumbai University, Kalina Campus on September 27, 28, and 29 at 7 PM. Preparations are in full swing, with the entire cast and crew working intensively to bring this ambitious musical to life. Firoz further adds, “Our team is giving everything to this production. We hope the audience connects with the message we’re trying to convey and enjoys the theatrical experience we’ve created.”
Director Firoz Zahid Khan holds a Master’s in Theatre from the National School of Drama and a diploma in Screen Acting from London’s Mountview Theatre. Since 1999, he has conducted workshops and performances across London, Japan, Germany, Singapore, Malaysia, and the UAE. Having served as senior acting faculty at Subhash Ghai’s Whistling Woods and as Head of Acting at City Pulse Film & Television Institute, he now leads Fizzaart and continues to be recognized as one of the finest corporate trainers in performing arts.
Born in Indore in 1972, Swanand Kirkire is a two-time National Award-winning lyricist, actor, singer, and writer. A graduate of the National School of Drama, he began his career in theatre before moving to cinema. Beyond his celebrated lyrics, Kirkire has acted in acclaimed films like Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi and Barfi!, earning a reputation for his poetic yet grounded storytelling across mediums.
The production is being presented under the banner of the Academy of Theatre Arts (ATA), Mumbai University, a premier institution committed to nurturing theatre professionals. Known for its rigorous curriculum blending theory and practice, ATA has shaped several noteworthy theatre practitioners who have made significant contributions to Indian performing arts.
