Chandigarh, March 29th : After a magnificent bharatnatyam recital by Vani Ganpathy yesterday, the ongoing 3rd Chandigarh Arts and Heritage festival celebrations continued to enrapture the city audience even on the concluding with a staging of Hindi play Chanakya at Tagore theatre here today. Directed by Manoj Joshi , the play mesmerized the audience and won tremendous applause. The play commenced after the inauguration by H.E. Shivraj V.Patil, the Governor of Punjab and Administrator UT, Chandigarh. Also present were Secretary to Governor Sh. M.P Singh , Home Secretary Ram Niwas, Finance Secretary V.K Singh and other senior officers of Chandigarh Administration. The play has been written by Mihir Bhutia and directed by Manoj JoshiThe play depicted the role of Chanakya which is ever cherishable in the media industry reflecting him as a shrewd cunning strategist in the modern times. The play started with exhaustive decorations on the stage to create a real time scenario where the audience can feel the experience behind the real minds of Chanakya. The hall was packed and attended the programme which was a great learning and a magnificent exposure for the youth of the nation. Chanakya was known for his innovative strategies to capture the throne for Chandragupt Maurya.
Chanakya’s sincerity & knowledge gave him the dominion over one and all which transformed people into protagonists. Chandragupt started as a timid prey and ended being the greatest sovereign of history due to Chanakyas strong influence. Chandragupt ended the cruel and selfish rule of Nandas and established the eminent Mauryan clan under the guidance of Chanakya.
Cast of the play were : Manoj Joshi, Ashok Banthia, Dharmendra Gohil, Kavita Rathod, Sanjay Bhatia, Shakil Khan, Pradeep Vengurlekar, Sunil Shinde, Priya Dixit, Nilesh Trivedi, Sultan, Karan Pamnani, Rafiq Khan.
Manoj Joshi began his career in Marathi films and in Marathi theatre, also putting up performances in other films like Gujrati and Bhojpuri. He has acted in over 60 films since 1999, many of his roles being comedic. Career
His earliest well known serials include Chanakya, Ek Mahal Ho Sapnon Ka,Rau (Marathi), Sangdil, Kabhi Souten Kabhi Saheli, Khichdi (Occasional), Mura Raska Mai La (Marathi). This was followed by film roles in Sarfarosh (SI Bajju) alongside his brother who played the well known Bala Thakur in the film. Joshi’s break came as a comedian in the priyadarshan flick Hungama which was followed by Hulchul, Dhoom, Bhagam Bhag,Phir Hera Pheri, Chup Chup Ke, Bhool Bhulaiya,and Billo Barber