As one of the world’s largest international theatre festivals, Bharat Rang Mahotsav 2026, opened in Chandigarh on Monday, the air at Tagore Theatre was thick with anticipation. The participating troupes were at various stages of preparation: at the centre of the stage, a courtroom set was being assembled, while sound checks echoed through the hall. Groups occupied every available space, rehearsing and finding their bearings. From director Abhishek Sharma overseeing the arrangements to a mali squabbling with guards over a missing plant, the afternoon unfolded with drama both on and off the stage.