La-Ilaaj is a contemporary play that explores love, passion, responsibility, and self-respect.

Set in a city neighborhood around a local band party, it follows different characters as they struggle to define love in their own lives.

Santosh, madly in love with Lovely, harms himself to prove his devotion, but she walks away. Maria challenges this mindset, declaring that love must be rooted in self-respect and responsibility.

Jugal, a young singer who longs to move beyond his father’s band, discovers the seven stages of love after meeting Maria — attraction, affection, trust, devotion, and finally sacrifice. Meanwhile, Ballu, a local goon, threatens Maria in the name of love, but she firmly rejects him, highlighting the truth that “forced love is not love” and that women are not to blame for saying “no.”

Conflicts within the band raise questions of honor, entitlement, and responsibility, while Sushma’s struggle with domestic violence shows that fate changes only when we take decisions.

As Jugal’s love deepens and Ballu’s obsession grows, the play asks: Is love truly essential for life, or an illusion that blinds us from ourselves?

In the end, La-Ilaaj affirms that true love is not pain or force, but respect, trust, and freedom. It breaks the myth of forced love, teaching that “No means No,” and that women are born not to suffer, but to choose.

Director :

Faiz Mohammed Khan (born 25 July 1986) is an Indian actor . graduate from National School of Drama (NSD), 2011. Khan was born in Panna, Madhya Pradesh, where he completed his primary education. he began his acting career by joining Bhartiya Jan Natya Sangh (IPTA).

He started with street plays, and his first stage performance was Inspector Matadeen Chand Par, directed by Satish Sharma.

Khan studied theatre music under his brother Ishtiyaq Khan and Shri Sanjay Upadhyay. He has acted in numerous plays, including Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa, Macbeth, Cherry Orchard, Hamlet, and Sab Thaath Pada Reh Jayega.

Apart from Lailaaj, Khan has written plays such as Lovebug and Hamu (Hamu is an adaptation of Hamlet). He has composed music and directed more than 50 stage plays .

He has had the privilege of working with several renowned theatre personalities such as Devendra Raj Ankur, Anuradha Kapur, Kirti Jain, Robin Das, Bansi Kaul, Ishtiyaq Khan, Amitesh Grover, and many others.

Director’s Note

La-Ilaj” is a reflection of our times — a story woven with complex emotions and raw social truths. It explores the constant tug-of-war between love, passion, responsibility, and self-respect. This is not a tale of a distant world, but an echo of the realities living in our streets, our neighborhoods, and our hearts.

In this play, love is not portrayed merely as a romantic emotion, but as a human value — where its true test lies not in pain or sacrifice, but in respect, trust, and freedom.

Through Maria’s voice, we hear a new consciousness — one that declares, “If love takes away your self-respect, it isn’t love.”

The character of Jugal reflects the restlessness of today’s youth — caught between identity and desire — while Ballu exposes that harsh social truth where a “no” is still mistaken for a “yes.”

Music is the soul of this play. The rhythms of local bands, the beats of the dholak, and the strum of the guitar come together to create the heartbeat of the city. The music isn’t just background — it mirrors the inner conflicts of the characters. When Jugal sings, every note carries his longing, his confusion, and his love.

The music of “La-Ilaj” is the pulse of contemporary society — sometimes fast, sometimes melancholic, sometimes rebellious. This play is not merely about love; it is a call for humanity and self-respect.

While directing this piece, my focus was to keep the essence of the story alive — to create a play that is both commercially engaging and artistically truthful. A few characters are intentionally kept loud to preserve my folk storytelling style.

This play questions the misconceptions that today’s youth hold about love — and I’ve tried to weave those questions with humor, songs, and rhythm.

Now, I leave this work in the hands of you — the discerning audience.

Group :

We are proud to introduce our founders, Pankaj Tripathi and Mridula Tripathi.

Pankaj Tripathi, an acclaimed actor known for his versatility, brings decades of experience in theatre, film, and storytelling. His journey from stage to screen continues to inspire countless artists.

Mridula Tripathi, a former teacher with a lifelong passion for the arts, is the nurturing heart of the group. Her experience in education and dedication to creativity help guide and support emerging talent.

Together, they share a deep love for theatre — as both craft and inspiration. Their vision has created a space where stories come alive, imagination is celebrated, and every performer has the chance to shine.