Safdar Hashmi: Art, Activism, and a Lasting Legacy | Qisse Kahaniyaan Podcast

Some artists perform. Safdar Hashmi provoked. A playwright, poet, and activist, he didn’t just tell stories—he fought battles with them. As the founder of Jana Natya Manch (JANAM), he wielded theatre as a weapon, crafting bold, politically charged performances that laid bare corruption, inequality, and exploitation during Indira Gandhi's era. His art was defiant. And on January 1, 1989, he paid the ultimate price for it—murdered mid-performance for daring to speak truth to power. In this dramatised episode of Qisse Kahaniyaan, the spirit of Safdar Hashmi returns—his voice, his struggle, his unwavering fire—brought to life through a powerful performance. As Safdar narrates his story alternating with Alif's storytelling, we trace the journey of a man who never backed down. Was Safdar Hashmi merely a playwright, or the voice of a revolution? His words ignited minds, his stage was the streets, and his legacy still echoes. Tune in to hear his story.

Anchor & Script: Athar Rather Voice of Safdar Hashmi: Siddharth Sarathe Sound Design: Athar Rather Executive Producers: Ritu Kapur, Shelly Walia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices