SAMIKSSHA BATNAGAR BRINGS SHIKHANDI TO THE STAGE

A New Creative Chapter

Actress Samikssha Batnagar, known for her role in Anupamaa, is stepping into a new creative space. This time, she is taking on production with Shikhandi, a musical theatre project based on the lesser-explored story from the Mahabharata.

The production marks her first venture as a producer under Samikssha Stage Craft. It will premiere on September 26, 2026, at St. Andrews Auditorium in Bandra.

More importantly, the play will look beyond Shikhandi’s image as a warrior. Instead, it will explore the character’s emotional journey, struggles, rejection, transformation and resilience.

Why Samikssha Chose Shikhandi

For Samikssha, choosing Shikhandi was a deeply personal decision. She wanted her first production to tell a story that audiences had not explored extensively.

“I always wanted my first production to tell a story that people haven’t truly explored,” she says.

While audiences have seen several adaptations of the Ramayana and Mahabharata, individual character journeys often remain in the background. Therefore, Samikssha felt Shikhandi deserved a story of her own.

The actress wants viewers to see the person behind the warrior. She hopes they connect with Shikhandi’s pain, strength, rejection and experiences.

Exploring Shikhandi’s Emotional Journey

Playing Shikhandi has been an intense experience for Samikssha. Rather than focusing only on the character’s warrior identity, she is exploring the emotions that shaped her journey.

Shikhandi’s story carries several powerful themes. These include rejection, transformation, sacrifice, revenge and resilience.

“Beyond the warrior, I want audiences to witness her emotional journey—the pain, struggles, rejection and experiences that shaped her into Shikhandi,” the actress explains.

As a result, the musical aims to offer more than a traditional mythological retelling. It will instead focus on the human emotions behind a legendary character.

A Challenging Performance

The role has also demanded considerable preparation from Samikssha. In particular, she has been working on the physicality, voice and body language required for the character.

The actress is also approaching the transgender aspect of Shikhandi’s identity with care and sensitivity.

“Playing a transgender character as a woman is a challenge in itself, especially when it comes to physicality, voice and body language,” she says.

Meanwhile, director Kulvinder Bakshish Singh has been helping her develop the performance. His guidance has helped Samikssha work on voice modulation and physical expression.

Consequently, she is aiming to create a portrayal that feels convincing while staying connected to the emotional core of the story.

Balancing Theatre and Anupamaa

However, preparing for Shikhandi has not been easy. Samikssha is still shooting for Anupamaa almost every day while also attending demanding theatre rehearsals.

Balancing both mediums has therefore become a major challenge. Television requires a regular shooting schedule, while theatre demands consistent rehearsals and preparation.

“Balancing television and theatre has certainly been challenging,” she admits.

Fortunately, Samikssha has received support from her television team. She has expressed gratitude to Rajan Sir, Vivek Jain Sir and the entire production team for accommodating her theatre commitments.

That support has allowed her to pursue the project while continuing her television work.

Theatre Is Her First Love

Despite her television commitments, Samikssha has always shared a strong connection with theatre. For her, the stage offers an energy that is difficult to recreate on screen.

“Theatre feels like home to me,” she says.

Moreover, performing live gives her an immediate connection with the audience. She can experience their reactions in real time, making every performance unique.

“Every time I step on stage, I feel I’m learning, evolving and growing as a performer,” she adds.

Therefore, Shikhandi is more than a production debut. It is also a return to the medium that Samikssha considers her first love.

A Fresh Take on the Mahabharata

Instead of retelling the entire Mahabharata, Shikhandi focuses on one character and her emotional journey. This allows the team to explore details that traditional adaptations may not always highlight.

The musical also comes at a time when audiences are showing interest in stories told from fresh perspectives. By bringing Shikhandi to the centre, the production offers a different way to revisit the epic.

At the same time, Samikssha wants the experience to remain engaging for theatre audiences. Her aim is not simply to tell a mythological story but to create a performance that stays with viewers.

A Dream Production

With Kulvinder Bakshish Singh as director and Abhishek Narayan as presenter, Samikssha is bringing together a team she trusts. She describes the project as a dream come true.

The production also gives her an opportunity to explore a new side of the entertainment industry. As a producer, she now has a greater role in shaping the storytelling and overall theatrical experience.

“My only focus is to create a production that makes everyone associated with it proud and gives the audience an unforgettable theatrical experience,” she says.

Shikhandi Marks a New Beginning

With the September 26 premiere approaching, Shikhandi represents an important milestone for Samikssha Batnagar. The project brings together her passion for acting, her love for theatre and her growing interest in production.

More importantly, it gives audiences an opportunity to discover a different side of a well-known Mahabharata character.

For Samikssha, however, this is only the beginning. She hopes to continue exploring meaningful stories and performing on stage for years to come.

Will Samikssha Batnagar’s Shikhandi give audiences a fresh perspective on one of the Mahabharata’s most intriguing characters? Catch the musical on September 26 and experience the story live on stage.