Chandigarh, Sept. 28 -- With youngsters crowding Ramlila grounds each evening, some watching closely enough to memorise every line, others waiting for their turn backstage, the performances have become more than just a festive tradition. Year after year, Ramlila doubles up as a training ground, giving many children and teenagers their first chance at acting and often setting them on the path to theatre and cinema.

At the Ordnance Club, 21-year-old Minakshi Bhatt stands out as someone whose journey from Ramlila has blossomed into a professional career. A graduate of Panjab University's Department of Indian Theatre, she first took the stage in 2022 as Sulochna and Urmila, and by the next year had already stepped into the lead role of Sita....