From August 14 to 17, 2025
A major Indian stage production based on the ancient Ramayana epic will hold its international premiere in Dubai from August 14 to 17, 2025, organisers have confirmed. Scheduled to be held at Dubai Opera, the show, titled Humare Ram, reinterprets one of South Asia’s most revered texts through a contemporary lens.
The production arrives in the UAE following over 300 performances across India, where it drew more than 500,000 audience members. Its Dubai staging marks the first time the show will be performed outside India, highlighting the growing international reach of South Asian theatre.
Humare Ram blends classical Indian narratives with modern stagecraft, exploring themes such as morality, spiritual duty and internal conflict. The play revisits the story of Ram and Ravan from the Ramayana, presenting familiar characters with emotional complexity rather than through a strictly good-versus-evil framework.
Indian actor Ashutosh Rana will perform the role of Ravan. In comments released by the production team, Rana stated that the character is portrayed not as a villain, but as a figure that prompts moral questioning. He described the Dubai performances as a moment of “cultural confluence,” aiming to foster understanding through shared stories.
The lead role of Ram is played by Rahull R Bhuchar, who also co-wrote the play. Other key cast members include Harleen Kaur Rekhi as Sita, Danish Akhtar as Hanuman, Tarun Khanna as Shiva and Karan Sharma as Surya.
Bhuchar said the story examines dharma — a central concept in Indian philosophy — not as a set of rules but as a principle that evolves with experience. He described the project as both an artistic undertaking and a personal journey that connects audiences across geographies and beliefs.
The production is mounted on a scale rarely seen in live theatre. Each performance involves over 100 cast and crew members. The technical elements include large-format LED projections, aerial choreography and original music composed by prominent Indian musicians Sonu Nigam, Shankar Mahadevan and Kailash Kher.
The show also features handcrafted costumes and cinematic lighting, offering, as producers describe it, an immersive theatre experience. Several lesser-known episodes from the Ramayana are included, giving viewers alternative perspectives on a well-known narrative.
The arrival of Humare Ram in Dubai holds particular significance for the UAE’s Indian diaspora, which numbers over 3.5 million residents. With performances scheduled during the week of Indian Independence Day, the show is expected to draw large crowds from both expatriate communities and culturally engaged local audiences.
The event is being staged at Dubai Opera, a venue that has increasingly hosted South Asian performances alongside international theatre and classical music. The decision to launch the show’s global tour in Dubai reflects the city’s role as a cultural bridge between South Asia and the Arab world.
Tickets for the six scheduled performances are now available through Dubai Opera’s official box office and Platinum List. Organisers said the short run and the production’s popularity in India are likely to lead to high demand for seats.
Produced by Felicity Theatre, the show aims to reinterpret traditional Indian stories using contemporary methods. The company is renowned for staging large-scale theatrical productions that appeal to audiences worldwide, extending beyond India’s borders.
While reviews in India have praised the show for its visual impact and musical depth, the Dubai staging will be the first test of how the production resonates with an international audience.
The UAE’s growing appetite for cultural programming that reflects the diversity of its residents has made Dubai a natural choice for the international debut. For audiences in the Gulf, Humare Ram offers a rare opportunity to engage with Indian epic literature in a live, theatrical format.
Hero image: Humare Ram features several lesser-known episodes from the Ramayana. Credit: Felicity Theatre
