False reports circulated claiming disruption of the play ‘Sangeet Sannyast Khadga’ in Pune

Misleading news aired by some media outlets claiming the play was “called off”
Actor Hrishikesh Joshi slams those spreading fake news

Pune – On July 12th, false reports were circulated claiming that the staging of the play Sangeet Sannyast Khadga, written by Veer Savarkar, was forcibly stopped in Pune. The show, which began at 6:30 p.m., witnessed some disruption by members of the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi; however, the performance was successfully completed, clarified actor Hrishikesh Joshi. “The disturbance occurred during the final few minutes, but the play was completed,” Joshi stated.

Protester (on the left) while chanting slogans and actor Hrishikesh Joshi (right)

Immediately after the performance, several media houses falsely reported headlines such as “Play disrupted,” “Play based on Veer Savarkar’s life stopped,” and “Play organized by Satyaki Savarkar halted.” In reality, the play had no connection with Satyaki Savarkar, the great-grandnephew of Veer Savarkar, and he was not even present at the venue.

1. Commenting on the issue, actor Hrishikesh Joshi said that media representatives irresponsibly published inaccurate information without consulting the organizers, director, or performers—leading to confusion among theatre lovers. He criticized these reports on Facebook, calling out the spreaders of such misinformation.

2. Joshi further explained that the protesters began shouting slogans towards the very end of the play and tried to move towards the stage, but the police intervened and removed them. Notably, the protest began when only a few lines of the final scene remained.

3. Intervention by BJP MLA Prof. Dr. (Mrs.) Medha Kulkarni helped bring the situation under control. At the audience’s insistence, the final lines were performed, and the play was completed.