Taking the Mantle: How Raell Padamsee is Carrying Alyque Padamsee’s Legacy Forward

By Murtaza Ali Khan

When Raell Padamsee speaks about theatre, there is a spark in her voice that carries both pride and responsibility. As the daughter of legendary theatre director Alyque Padamsee and actress Pearl Padamsee, Raell grew up immersed in the magic of the stage. Today, she is not only preserving that legacy but also reshaping it for a new generation—balancing reverence for tradition with the courage to innovate.

Her latest endeavour, taking Broken Images—directed by Alyque himself and starring the incomparable Shabana Azmi—to the US, starting with New York this October, feels particularly personal. “Broken Images is very close to my heart because it reflects both the artistry and vision of my father, Alyque Padamsee,” she says. “He directed it with such brilliance—merging theatre and technology in a way that was ahead of its time. Bringing it to the US, and especially to New York, feels like completing a circle—taking Indian theatre of international quality to the world stage, just as Alyque always believed it should be.”

For Raell, staging this production is far more than another theatre tour. It is an act of homage. “This performance is not just about staging a play; it’s about sharing his legacy with global audiences and proving, once again, that Indian theatre can be world-class, bold, and relevant. It’s an honour to both Girish Karnad and Dad,” she reflects.

Courage as Legacy

Ask Raell what she considers her father’s greatest gift, and the answer is immediate: courage. “My father’s legacy is one of courage—courage to experiment, to challenge norms, and to tell stories that matter. He taught me that theatre must be larger than entertainment; it should provoke thought, stir emotion, and reflect the society we live in,” she says.

This philosophy lies at the heart of her work with the CREATE Foundation, which she founded in 2002. Through productions like Rediscover the Epic, Mahatma, and The Sound of Music, she has brought together children from mainstream schools and marginalized NGOs—including differently abled children—on one stage. “Integration has been at the heart of all our work… giving them equal space to shine on stage,” she explains.

That mission continues with her upcoming play Alice in Paradise, which reimagines the classic tale while uniting children across diverse backgrounds. “Our whole life ethos, thanks to both Alyque and my mother Pearl, was using theatre not just to entertain, but to give back,” she adds.

Theatre as Social Catalyst

Raell’s projects frequently extend beyond art, entering the realm of activism. In 2024, she collaborated with theatre veteran Lushin Dubey for the Rise Up for Equality!! festival, showcasing women-centric plays while working with the Mumbai Police’s Nirbhaya Squad to promote the women’s helpline “103.” “This was more than theatre—it was a mission to make Maharashtra the safest state in the world. By amplifying the helpline, we aimed to create awareness, galvanise action, and push for institutional change,” she recalls.

In this way, Raell carries forward not just her father’s artistic courage but also her mother’s compassion. “For me, this is how I continue the legacy of both Alyque and Pearl Padamsee—by ensuring theatre remains a catalyst for transformation, empowerment, and lasting social change.”

The Shabana Azmi Connection

Broken Images also represents a creative convergence between Alyque and one of his most admired collaborators, Shabana Azmi. “Shabana and my father shared a bond rooted in artistry, mutual respect, and a relentless pursuit of truth on stage. He always admired her ability to embody complexity with honesty and depth. Casting her in Broken Images was his way of ensuring the role had both intellectual weight and emotional authenticity,” Raell says.

She fondly recalls a memory from their Singapore staging of the play: “The response was so overwhelming that the auditorium filled to capacity, and Dad and I actually had to sit outside because there were no seats left for us. For me, that moment captured exactly what he envisioned: theatre that moved people so deeply that it transcended borders, languages, and even our own access to it!”

Looking Ahead

Raell is determined that Alyque’s contributions to theatre and advertising should not be relegated to nostalgia. Along with new productions—Unfaithfully Yours starring Mona Singh and Rohit Roy, Untitled and Aruna’s Story with Lushin Dubey—she is working on a Virtual Alyque Padamsee Museum. The immersive platform will allow audiences to rediscover his iconic plays, ad campaigns, and creative philosophy.

She has also overseen the release of Alyque’s final book, Let Me Hijack Your Mind, co-authored with Vandana Saxena Poria and published by Penguin India. “True to his style, the book is bold and provocative—it challenges deep-rooted societal beliefs and invites readers to rethink love, marriage, money, gender, leadership, and faith. It is truly Dad’s legacy for the future—it teaches people to question their innermost thoughts and follow only those that lead to a flourishing life,” she says.

The Guiding Voice

To Raell, her father’s influence is not confined to memory; it remains a daily compass. “Alyque Padamsee was a visionary. He redefined what theatre could be in India—grand in scale, uncompromising in quality, and deeply human in storytelling. He was exacting, yes, but his precision was born out of love for the craft. For him, theatre was sacred—it demanded rigor, passion, and honesty. To me, he was not just a father, but a mentor whose voice still guides me every time I step into rehearsal,” she reflects.

She adds, with humility, “If I can achieve even a fraction of the impact he made on stage, I will feel I have done justice to his legacy.”

(Murtaza Ali Khan is an award-winning cultural writer and critic with more than a decade and a half experience. He can be reached at [email protected]).