Set in 1990s Delhi, ‘Woh Subah Hamein Se Aayegi’ brings the world of Civil Services (UPSC) preparation, love and social justice to the stage. The play was recently staged in Delhi and has earlier been performed in Mumbai as well.
Written by Dinesh Gautam, the play features Imran Zahid as Ajay and Sakshi Singh as Kavita. Delhi Police DCP Vipul Anekanth, who attended the performance, said the story reminded him of his own student days.
Focuses on the struggle beyond success
The play goes beyond the usual stories of success and selection. It also portrays the emotional and personal struggles of aspirants who work hard but fail to find their names on the final list.
Author Dinesh Gautam talking about the staging of the play.
Delhi in the 1990s and UPSC preparation
The play follows Ajay, a young man from a modest socio-economic background who comes to Delhi with the dream of joining the civil services. The story is set in the 1990s, a time when smartphones and social media did not exist, and books, newspapers and letters were the main sources of information.
Ajay is determined to work hard and achieve his goal, but over time, he begins to understand that not every aspirant enters the competition with the same opportunities and resources. His journey becomes more complex as he faces these realities. At the same time, his relationship with Kavita adds an emotional layer to the story.
The gap between the starting line and the finish line
The play explores an important social question through the idea of the ‘starting line and finishing line’. While every UPSC aspirant is working towards the same goal, not everyone begins the journey with the same advantages. Some have access to better resources, financial stability and proper guidance, while others must overcome several additional challenges just to get the same opportunities.
Writer Dinesh Gautam says the play does not try to deliver a political-style verdict. Instead, it presents a human story before the audience and allows them to understand the real meaning of equality through the experiences of its characters.
The pain of unsuccessful candidates also finds a voice
Actor Imran Zahid, who plays Ajay, says the character represents more than just a fictional aspirant. For him, Ajay is the face of millions of young people who leave their homes with dreams of building a better future.
Zahid says stories of successful candidates are often celebrated, while the struggles of those who spend years preparing but fail to make it to the final list rarely receive attention. Through Ajay’s journey, the play tries to bring those unspoken dreams, disappointments and struggles to the stage.
DCP Vipul Anekant says, ‘I saw myself in Ajay’
DCP Vipul Anekant, who attended the Delhi performance, described the play as a powerful and sensitive portrayal of an aspirant’s journey. He said it explores issues such as social inequality and equal opportunities through the struggles of a candidate from a rural and underprivileged background.
Sharing his reaction after the performance, Anekant said, “I saw myself in Ajay.” He added that Ajay’s character can connect with anyone who has faced struggles and setbacks while pursuing their dreams.
