Lillete Dubey’s Seven Most Memorable Dramas As Director & Actor

There is a lot more to Lillete Dubey than her acclaimed performances in Zubeidaa, Monsoon Wedding, Chalte Chalte, Baghban and Kal Ho Naa Ho. As an actor and director, Lillete has also created a vast body of theatrical work on stage and has sparkled not just on the big screen but also on television. On her birthday, we list out some of her most memorable plays.

Lillete Dubey’s Most Memorable Dramas As Director & Actor

Jaya

Lillete Dubey recently brought back Jaya, a story which tells the deeply philosophical story through the eyes of Yudhishthira of the Mahabharata. The play was originally staged in the 1990s. This two-hour epic mixes the energy of rock ballads with stunning visual spectacle. 

Lillete Dubey has frequently expressed that her main goal as a theatre artist is to highlight Indian writing, and Jaya is a powerful tribute to India, blending modern music with traditional dance forms like Kathak. Directed by Lillete herself, the musical features a talented cast including Sherrin Verghese, Megan Murray, Vikrant Chaturvedi, Asif Ali Beg, Keshia B, Sid Makker, Varun Narayan, and Ujjaiynee Roy.

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Devika Rani  

Devika Rani, often hailed as the First Lady of Indian cinema, was a trailblazing producer and actor who led Bombay Talkies and introduced industry icons like Dilip Kumar. In her film Devika Rani: Goddess of the Silver Screen, Lillete highlights Rani's bold challenge to societal norms and her visionary leadership that turned Bombay Talkies into a groundbreaking production house.

Ira Dubey, her daughter portrays Devika Rani who defied patriarchy and shattered the glass ceiling to become a powerful figure in cinema. The cast also includes Joy Sengupta, Rishi Khurana, Nandita Dubey, Aakanksha Kadre, Pranav Sachdev, and Kashyap Shangari.

Dance like a Man

Mahesh Dattani's play Dance Like a Man explores ambition, jealousy, and family tensions. Directed by and starring Lillete, the story revolves around Jairaj and Ratna, two ageing Bharat Natyam dancers, whose daughter's rising success as a performer sparks conflict and reveals deeper family struggles. Filmed by Ritesh Menon, Zee Theatre's teleplay also features Vijay Crishna, Suchitra Pillai, and Joy Sengupta. 

Adhe Adhure

Mohan Rakesh's Adhe Adhure, a landmark in modern Hindi theatre, delves into feminist themes. Lillete both directs and stars as Savitri, a middle-aged woman trapped in a loveless marriage, navigating the burdens of life in a patriarchal society. This powerful portrayal of a woman's search for meaning is filmed by Rohit Philip and stars Mohan Agashe, Ira Dubey, and Rajeev Siddhartha. 

The Lunchbox

In the 2013 film The Lunchbox, Lillete plays the role of Ila’s mother in a touching and heartfelt drama. The story follows an unexpected bond that forms between Saajan (Irrfan Khan), an older man, and Ila (Nimrat Kaur), a young housewife, through a mix-up in their lunchbox deliveries. 

In a poignant scene, Lillete, as Ila’s mother, delivers a powerful performance as she opens up about her unhappy marriage. That scene highlighted the struggles many Indian women face, enduring difficult relationships due to societal pressures that compel them to "suffer and stay" for the sake of preserving the institution of marriage.

Heroine

In Heroine, Lillete played the role of Kareena Kapoor's mother. The movie, directed by Madhur Bhandarkar, revolves around the tumultuous life of Mahi Arora, a successful yet troubled Bollywood actor, portrayed by Kareena Kapoor. Lillete's character serves as a supportive yet concerned figure in Mahi’s life, witnessing her daughter's rise and struggles in the high-pressure world of fame and stardom. The film delved into themes of insecurity, mental health, and the darker side of the film industry.

Womanly Voices

Staying committed to her love for Indian literature, Lillete directed an anthology that brings to life the voices of some of India's most renowned women writers. The collection includes Wajeda Tabassum's Utran, which caused a sensation when it was published in 1977.

Mahasweta Devi's harrowing tale Shishu portrays the brutal effects of poverty, oppression, and starvation on people, while Gita Mehta’s The Teacher’s Story explores the tragedy that strikes a talented young singer and his mentor. Filmed by Ishan Trivedi, Zee Theatre's teleplay Womanly Voices features Joy Sengupta, Suchitra Pillai, Pranav Sachdev, Ira Dubey, Deepika Amin, and Adit Bhilare.