Wins top prize on game show Deal or No Deal, contributes entire sum to the festival –
Mumbai, 18th November 2015: Ayushmann Khuranna was recently a part of Deal Or No Deal, the popular family game show that airs on &TV, where he played on behalf of Thespo, the annual theatre festival for theatre-wallahs below the age of 25. He won the top prize of Rs. 90,00,000/= (Rupees Ninety Lakhs), which will be wholly contributed to Thespowith an aim to reach out to Tier II and Tier III cities in 2016; providing youth a platform to showcase its talent and to further its work in the field of Indian youth theatre. It will be set aside for the festival’s future outreach goals and planning for its next year’s edition.
Since its inception in 1999, Thespo has been reinventing itself as a stage for today’s young theatre wallahs. It has consistently nurtured India’s homegrown theatre talent by providing them with all knowledge and resources to match steps with their global contemporaries. The 17th edition of the festival will take place between 7th and 13th December 2015, and has lined up a diverse bouquet of local and international performances and workshops centres on the theme of ‘Spark the Drama’.
While talking about his decision to back Thespo, Ayushmann said, “I’m really glad I could come to support Thespo and theatre in India because whatever I am today, I owe it to theatre. That’s where I started my career and have gained all the acting skills.”
Speaking on the news, Quasar Thakore Padamsee, Co-Founder, Thespo & Artistic Director, QTP, said, “We are indeed humbled by our Deal or No Deal win, and are grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the show. It is touching to see theatre loyalists like Ayushmann who believe in our vision to provide a platform to the young theatre wallahs all over the country. It gives us the impetus to keep raising the standards of the festival, and continue our journey in revolutionizing youth theatre in India.”
The episode where Ayushmann won on behalf of Thespo aired on 15th November 2015.
