Have a leisurely weekend with drama, laughter and more in Ahmedabad

From stage dramas to late-night film screenings and hands-on workshops, this weekend in Ahmedabad is not for staying in. Here’s what is happening in the city this weekend.

Play: Dil No Dariyo

Dil No Dariyo is a Gujarati play directed by Nirav Vegda and written by Sushri Thakar. The story brings to life a deeply emotional tale where emotions overflow, relationships touch the soul and waves of human sensitivity stir the depths of the heart. It goes beyond love, diving into the complexities of family misunderstandings, broken bonds and the profound desire to reconnect and rebuild.

When: Aug 1 (7.30 pm)

Where: J A Auditorium, Geeta Hall, Khanpur

Play: Manav Kaul’s Park

Written by acclaimed playwright Manav Kaul, Park is a thought-provoking and symbolic Hindi drama set entirely on three benches in a public park. 

The play explores the conflicts and conversations among three distinct characters — Uday, a mentally unstable man; Madan, a strict, idealistic school teacher; and Nawab, a man burdened by his past and personal tragedies. What begins as a trivial fight over a place to sit slowly unfolds into a deeper reflection on identity, territory, loneliness and the human condition. With minimal set and maximum emotion, Park becomes a metaphor for life — where everyone is looking for their own space, their peace and their bench.

This play is directed by Nirav Vegda, an accomplished theatre practitioner, actor, director, and founder of Karnavati Kala Kendra in Ahmedabad.

When: Aug 2 (8 pm)

Where: Kalasmruti, GSTV campus, behind Iskcon temple, Bodakdev

Play: The Great Gujju's Gulatiya

The Great Gujju's - Gulatiya is a one-of-a-kind urban Gujarati play that is all set to elevate the standards of Gujarati commercial theatre. 

This is the story of the Gulatiya family, a family that feels just like our own. In today's world, where money often replaces love and social media takes the place of understanding and values, the Gulatiyas bring laughter, warmth, and a refreshing perspective to the modern generation. 

The Great Gujju’s - Gulatiya is a meaningful comedy packed with strong values, heartfelt emotions, and unforgettable humour, a perfect mix of entertainment and insight. 

When: Aug 2 (9.30 pm)

Where: Thakorbhai Desai Hall, opp Law Garden

Film screening: Serpico

Compere Ahmedabad presents a special screening of Serpico (1973) — a gripping, timeless classic starring Al Pacino in one of his most unforgettable roles. This explosive drama captures the true story of a principled cop who dares to challenge a deeply corrupt system. Raw, unflinching, and disturbingly relevant even today, Serpico is more than just a film; it’s a portrait of moral courage in the face of overwhelming odds.

When: Aug 2 (11.15 pm)

Where: Prayogshala, 17, Suhasnagar Society, Ashram Road

Play: Chhorr Union Pvt Ltd

Atman Repertory Theatre is presenting a farcical play in Gujarati & Hindi. The play is about a routine break-in that takes a sharp turn into absurdity when a petty burglar stumbles into a villa already buzzing with secrets. One by one, relationships crack, truths bend, and identities blur - until even the thief doesn’t know what he’s stealing anymore.

Adapted from Nobel laureate Dario Fo’s razor-sharp farce ‘The Virtuous Burglar’, this Gujarati–Hindi adaptation is a fast-paced comedy of errors where deception piles upon deception and every door opens to a new mess.

When: Aug  2 (6.45 pm & 9 pm)

Where: Urmila Kailash Black Box, Kanoria Centre for Arts

Comedy: Atul Khatri

The middle-aged comedian Atul Khatri is coming to Ahmedabad with his performance ‘Well Trained’. Khatri is an ex-CEO-turned-comedian who quit his job in 2016 and now makes a living making people laugh harder than they ever have. He was part of Netflix’s “Comedians of the World”, which featured the globe’s top 47 comedians.

When: Aug 3 (7.30 pm)

Where: Mehdi Nawaz Jung Hall, Paldi

Photography workshop

Renowned fine art and nature photographer Saurabh Desai is in Ahmedabad for an inspiring deep-dive into the art of seeing nature through a creative lens.

Topics covered in workshop:

• What is fine art nature photography?

• Rediscovering natural light

• Camera techniques

• Creative use of lenses

• Visual language of nature

• Finding your artistic vision in nature

• Ethics in nature photography

• Black and white nature art

• Storytelling through fine art nature photography

When: Aug 2 & 3

Where: Rangjyot, basement office, Navajivan Trust, Navrangpura

Workshop: Contact improvisation class

The city’s very own art space, Rhaen Basera, is hosting a contact improvisation workshop. 

What is Contact improvisation?

Contact Improvisation (CI) is a movement practice that explores shared weight, momentum, awareness, and play through physical contact.

It’s not about choreography but about discovering new ways to move, connect, and listen to yourself and others.

What to expect:

First half:

Movement explorations inspired by awareness, listening, trust, and playfulness. Discovering how our bodies relate to self, space, and others.

Second half:

Open Jam is a collective playground for intuitive movement, where you can dance, rest, witness, or join back whenever you feel called.

When: Aug 2 (4 to 7 pm)

Where: Rhaen Basera, 647/2, Mumatpura