From India to Australia: Why a Sahitya Akademi award-winning writer chose Sydney for his new play

Adakar Group director Saba Zaidi Abdi and Indian playwright Mahesh Dattani during the rehearsals of Dance like a Goddess. Credit: Supplied by Saba Zaidi Abdi

On his first visit to Australia, Sahitya Akademi award-winning playwright Mahesh Dattani is directing Dance Like a Goddess with Sydney's Adakar Theatre Group. The play revisits characters from his acclaimed Dance Like a Man while exploring family, politics and identity. Speaking to SBS Hindi, Dattani and director Saba Zaidi Abdi reflect on the role of theatre, unlike many other forms of entertainment, continues to challenge audiences and encourage meaningful dialogue.

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