Khel ki Rihla (Play's Journey)

Khel ki Rihla is a documentary that juxtaposes the work and journey of the non-profit Aagaaz Theatre Trust with a play by Aagaaz's repertory, Rihla. The work of the organisation centres on revitalising the predominantly Muslim community in the Nizamuddin Basti in Delhi by introducing theatre and arts practices for children.

Aagaaz also works with artists across Delhi who facilitate and conduct workshops with the kids, and also collaborate with various organisations that help members in the community navigate paperwork related to their identity and work, educate them on their constitutional rights, and help them through trauma, abuse and rehabilitation.

The play Rihla, which is partly featured in the film, is an adaptation of a Greek play called 'I want a country' by Andreas Flourakis. The play poses the question, ‘What would a country that you want to live in look like?’ where the characters set out on a journey searching for answers, engaging in conversation amongst themselves.

This specific play that the repertory of Aagaaz performed has been chosen for the film for the relevance of its theme with respect to the challenges faced by the community from the perspective of the youth. It aids in touching on the socio-political context of a community that has been a target of discrimination, especially in the recent past. The play acts as a structural backbone for the film, creating pit stops that highlight the various facets of the work of the organisation.

The film is an attempt at capturing the soul of the work of Aagaaz through the everyday activities at the centre Khwab Ghar (Abode of Dreams). Play is central to the practice, and the children inhabit the space freely - reading, drawing, playing and play-acting.

Although the film lightly acknowledges and touches upon the difficult reality of life faced by the community, the story aims to be one of hope. The repertory members who were children when Aagaaz had started have become facilitators now, and are the first generation in their families to attend college. The film invites viewers to experience what a space like this can offer a community, what it might mean for children from marginalised communities to have a space to play, to learn, to be free, and inhabit a space as they wish.