December 1971, a frigid morning in Delhi: a woman named Vilayat Mahal walks into the waiting room at the railway station and claims to be the legitimate descendant of Wajid Ali Shah, the last nawab of Oudh. The family has everything – a begum, a prince, a princess, Great Danes, opulent carpets, potted palms, a retinue of servants in livery – except the recognition they seek. Inspired by a true story in the New York Times, विलायत महल is a fictional tragi-comedy that re-imagines the life of Begum Vilayat Mahal, her run-in with Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and her strange ‘reign’ as Begum of Oudh.

Written specially for us, this Naatak Original script has never been performed before.

Language: Hindi

Run-time: 110 minutes

This play has adult content. Those under 16 will not be admitted.