Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann attends 'Humare Ram' premiere in Mohali
Synopsis
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann attended the inaugural show of 'Humare Ram' in Mohali on August 8, 2026, featuring actor Ashutosh Rana. The Punjab Government will stage 41 free performances across 12 cities through August and September to promote values of Sanatan Dharma through theatre.
Key Takeaways
CM Bhagwant Mann attended the premiere of Humare Ram in Mohali on August 8, 2026 .
Renowned actor Ashutosh Rana plays the lead role in the production.
The Punjab Government will organise 41 free performances across 12 cities during August and September 2026 .
CM Mann described the initiative as an effort to spread teachings of Lord Sri Ram and strengthen values of Sanatan Dharma .
The zero-cost entry model is designed to maximise public access beyond major urban centres.
Theatre met statecraft in Mohali on Saturday, August 8, 2026, as Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann took his seat in the audience for the inaugural performance of Humare Ram — a celebrated theatrical production featuring actor Ashutosh Rana in the lead role — launching what the Punjab Government has billed as a sweeping statewide cultural mission.
41 shows, 12 cities, zero entry fee
The opening night in Mohali is just the first act. The Punjab Government has committed to staging 41 free performances across 12 cities through August and September 2026, bringing the production within reach of audiences well beyond the state's major urban centres. The zero-cost model is a deliberate choice — removing the ticket barrier so that the message travels as widely as the troupe does.
CM Mann framed the initiative in explicitly values-driven language, describing it as an effort to carry 'the timeless teachings of Lord Sri Ram to the people' and to 'strengthen the values of Sanatan Dharma while spreading the message of truth, righteousness, compassion and unity through the powerful medium of theatre.'
Ashutosh Rana anchors a production built for scale
Ashutosh Rana, a veteran of both Hindi cinema and stage, brings recognisable star power to a production that is designed to travel. His presence in the lead role gives Humare Ram the kind of marquee draw that can pull first-time theatre audiences into seats — precisely the demographic a state-sponsored free-admission run is trying to reach.
Indian state governments have periodically used epic narratives and classical theatrical forms as vehicles for civic and moral education. Punjab's multi-city model extends that tradition, using accessibility — free entry, decentralised venues — as the primary tool of outreach.
Culture as public policy in Punjab
The Aam Aadmi Party government under Mann, in power since 2022, has periodically leaned into cultural programming as a complement to its governance agenda. A statewide theatre tour anchored in Ramayana themes signals an attempt to occupy both the civic and the spiritual register simultaneously — reaching residents through art rather than administration.
With performances scheduled across 12 Punjab cities, the real test of the initiative will be attendance and community engagement at venues beyond Mohali's opening-night spotlight. The curtain has risen — the next two months will show how far the story travels.
Point of View
Mass-access theatre tour in the language of Sanatan Dharma, CM Mann is signalling that his government can speak to cultural and religious sentiment without ceding it to opponents. The multi-city, zero-ticket model is also smart public-policy optics: it positions culture as a welfare good, consistent with AAP's freebies-as-rights governance brand. Whether it translates into durable political goodwill will depend on how the tour performs in smaller cities away from the Mohali spotlight.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'Humare Ram' and who is performing in it?
'Humare Ram' is a theatrical production based on the life and teachings of Lord Sri Ram, featuring acclaimed Indian actor Ashutosh Rana in the lead role. The Punjab Government selected the production for a statewide cultural tour.
How many free shows will Punjab stage and in which cities?
The Punjab Government plans to organise 41 free performances across 12 cities during August and September 2026. The tour began with an inaugural show in Mohali on August 8, 2026.
Why did CM Bhagwant Mann attend the 'Humare Ram' show?
CM Bhagwant Mann attended the inaugural performance in Mohali to launch the statewide cultural initiative personally, describing it as an effort to take the timeless teachings of Lord Sri Ram to the people of Punjab.
What is the purpose of Punjab's 'Humare Ram' theatre initiative?
According to CM Mann, the programme aims to strengthen the values of Sanatan Dharma and spread the message of truth, righteousness, compassion and unity through theatre, making it accessible to audiences across Punjab at no cost.
Who is Ashutosh Rana?
Ashutosh Rana is a veteran Indian actor known for his work in Hindi cinema and theatre, recognised for powerful character portrayals. He plays the lead role in 'Humare Ram'.
