From Teleplays to Taramati: Qadir Ali Baig’s legacy celebrated with 20th festival
HYDERABAD: The city’s cultural scene is set for a momentous celebration as the Qadir Ali Baig Theatre Foundation marks two decades of enriching Hyderabad’s artistic landscape. This milestone will shine even brighter with the dazzling launch of “Chand Tara,” a cinematic tribute to the timeless legend of Taramati.
“Chand Tara” is set to dazzle audiences, breathing new life into a legendary love story with a stellar ensemble. Mohammad Ali Baig, the Foundation’s guiding force, stars alongside Shivani Rajashekar and Ira Dubey. The soulful voices of Ila Arun, Madhushree, and Adil Hussain add depth, while Karthik Illaiaraja weaves a musical tapestry for the film.
The grand launch event will take place on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at The Park Hyderabad, marking the official opening of the 20th anniversary celebrations of the Qadir Ali Baig Theatre Foundation. This star-studded evening will include the inauguration of the “Chand Tara” project by the Honourable Governor of Telangana, Jishnu Dev Varma, followed by the official release of the film’s poster by the Minister of Tourism and Culture, Shri Japally Krishna Rao.
The event also marks the start of the 20th Qadir Ali Baig Theatre Festival, celebrating two decades of theatre in Hyderabad. Telangana Tourism and GHMC are hosting the opening ceremony, where Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma will inaugurate the festival. The month-long event will bring together theatre groups from India and around the world.
This event marks both the Foundation’s 20-year journey and its cinematic debut with a famed Hyderabadi story. Organizers believe that blending folklore with modern storytelling will share Taramati’s story with a new generation.
The festival pays tribute to Qadir Ali Baig, who gave more than just plays. He nurtured talent that shaped stage, radio, television, and cinema. As a TV pioneer, he created Doordarshan’s first teleplays in the black-and-white era. These included “Raksha Bandhan,” “Aasra,” and “Humayun.”
A Festival Across Iconic Venues
The 20th edition features films, stage shows, and workshops, continuing Baig’s vision of celebrating theatre and cinema. The festival will showcase inspiring stories from India and other countries.
Throughout November, the festival will unfold at Hyderabad’s top cultural spaces, including Taramati Baradari, State Art Gallery, Shilparamam, and Radisson Blu Plaza. The opening at Radisson Blu Plaza will feature screenings of “Outhouse” with Sharmila Tagore, Mohan Agashe, and Sonali Kulkarni, followed by Mita Vasisht’s “That Thing Called the Actor.” Masterclasses by Vasisht, Dr. Agashe, and Vani Ganapathy will be held during the festival, covering acting, children’s theatre, and dance theatre.
The State Art Gallery hosts Assam’s adaptation of Jean-Paul Sartre’s “Seagull” (Unchayi). Shilparamam features Kolkata’s Rangakarmee Theatre Group in “Chandaa Bedni” by Alakhnandan. Hyderabad’s Shudrka group performs “Dorra,” a Telugu version of Don Quixote.
The festival will conclude at Taramati Baradari with a showcase of Indian and international acts, including Karen Houge’s “Didn’t Know That About You” from Norway, the multilingual “Runaway Brides” by Faezeh Jalali and Junaid Khan from Mumbai, Shobha De and Lillete Dubey’s “Lockdown Liaisons,” and Makarand Deshpande’s “Siachen.”
