naatak – naatak - Vilayat Mahal

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Questions? See Frequently Asked Questions, or contact tickets@naatak.org.

Vilayat Mahal June 13 – June 22, 2025 | Palo Alto

playwright and director: Anush Moorthy producer: Vikas Dhurka (in Hindi, with supertitles in English)

December 1971, a frigid morning in Delhi: a woman named Vilayat Mahal walks into the waiting room at the railway station and claims to be the legitimate descendant of Wajid Ali Shah, the last nawab of Oudh. The family has everything – a begum, a prince, a princess, Great Danes, opulent carpets, potted palms, a retinue of servants in livery – except the recognition they seek. Inspired by a true story in the New York Times, विलायत महल is a fictional tragi-comedy that re-imagines the life of Begum Vilayat Mahal, her run-in with Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and her strange ‘reign’ as Begum of Oudh.

Language: Hindi

Run-time: 100 minutes

This play has adult content. Those under 16 will not be admitted.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I bring to the theater?

Bring the ticket on your phone, and have it displayed for easy scanning (we don’t need a printout of your tickets).

Can I change my seats or shows?

UNTIL THE DAY BEFORE YOUR SHOW, click the CHANGE button in your ticket receipt. There is no charge to switch shows or seats.

Can I downgrade to a lower-priced seat?

UNTIL THE DAY BEFORE YOUR SHOW, click the CHANGE button in your ticket receipt. There will be no refunds for downgrades.

Can I cancel my tickets?

UNTIL THE DAY BEFORE YOUR SHOW, email tickets@naatak.org and we will refund your tickets (minus fees). Season Passes and bulk tickets cannot be refunded. Emails sent on your show day will be responded to by the following Tuesday.