Aaja Nachle 2007

After nearly ten years, Dia’s life takes an unexpected turn when a phone call disrupts her dance rehearsal in New York. The caller informs her that her beloved teacher, Makarand, is on his deathbed, prompting her to return to Shamli—the town where she not only grew up but also learned the essence of dance and life itself. This return is bittersweet, as she is confronted with the painful reality that her mentor has passed, and the Ajanta Theatre, the cherished cultural heart of the community, is facing demolition due to local political interests deeming it a waste of valuable property.

With the supportive help of Doctor, who acts as the caretaker of Ajanta, Dia embarks on a formidable mission to save the theatre and revive its once-vibrant spirit. The challenge is daunting; she is met with skepticism, ridicule, and outright hostility as she strives to assemble a theatrical production composed solely of locals from Shamli. With only two months to rally a struggling cast and prove the vale of her vision, the threat of bulldozers looms large over the historic site.

As she navigates the complexities of small-town prejudices and confronts a resentful contractor along with cynical political figures, Dia also juggles the intricate dynamics of interpersonal relationships. Her team consists of a motley crew: from a local tough guy Imran (Kunal Kapoor), the spirited tomboy Anokhi (Konkona Sen Sharma), the disgraced ex-MLA Chaudhary Om Singh (Akhilendra Mishra), to the troubled tea stall owner Mohan Sharma (Ranvir Shorey), the diligent official Mr. Chojar (Vinay Pathak), the struggling insurance agent Sanjeev Mehta (Jugal Hansraj), and the town vagabond Dhankuber (Nowaz).

In this whirlwind of chaotic energy, Dia must manifest a work of art that can preserve the legacy her mentor created, asserting that art embodies the soul of society itself. As the stage is set for a daring new production in Ajanta, the tension mounts—will her efforts bear fruit or will they crumble under pressure?

As the lights dim and the crowd hushes, the curtains rise on Ajanta, leaving everyone wondering: Will it work? Or won’t it?