New Delhi: The second edition of Delhi Theatre Festival is set to host veteran theatre personalities like Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna Pathak, Paresh Rawal and Pankaj Kapur.

 While Naseeruddin's directorial "Ismat Apa Ke Naam" will also have him in the cast including Ratna Pathak and Heeba Shah, Pankaj will showcase "Dopheri", which is his playwright and directorial.

 The plays will be staged from March 9-11 at the Siri Fort Auditorium in Delhi and Orana Conventions in Gurugram, said a statement.

 Pankaj said: "Delhi is where I began practicing theatre. It is always special to perform in the capital. Performing on the Delhi Theatre Festival stage is going to be a ride down memory lane. Also, I'm honoured to inaugurate the Gurugram venue."

 The initiative is an exclusive venture by Alchemist Live, a sister company of Alchemist Marketing Solutions.

 Manish Porwal, Managing Director of Alchemist Live, said: "Our vision for Delhi Theatre Festival is to create a global platform for theatre enthusiasts. In 2019, we plan to integrate international talent into the overall programming and also provide a platform where young theatre talent can be identified and honed."

Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.



Hyderabad: Three members of a family and their pet dog were injured here when a group of five persons attacked them, accusing the pet of biting a member of the latter's family, police said on Thursday.

A video of the incident which took place on May 14 in Rehmath Nagar, showing a group of people beating up a man and his dog with sticks and rods, has gone viral on social media. The man's wife and mother are seen trying to stop the brutal attack on him in the video.

A case under section 307 (attempt to murder) and other relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and relevant provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act was registered at Madhura Nagar police station in connection with the incident, and the five attackers were arrested, police said.

In a police complaint, the brother of the victim stated that on May 8 when his brother and wife were going to cast the postal ballot vote and opened the door, their pet dog slipped outside and went towards a couple, their neighbours. His brother immediately stopped the dog from advancing, he added.

But, the couple questioned his brother, accusing him of inciting the dog to attack them, the complainant said, and alleged that the couple's family members attacked his brother and slapped his wife and beat up a relative over the matter.

In this regard, a complaint was lodged and a counter complaint was also filed alleging that the pet dog attacked and bit a family member of the neighbour, police said.

The complainant said that on May 14, when his brother took the dog for a walk and stood in front of his house, the neighbour along with four unknown persons attempted to kill him and the pet dog in revenge for the previous incident.

The complainant further accused that the group of people attacked his brother and the pet dog with rods and sticks, as seen in the video, and when his brother's wife and mother tried to rescue them, they also attacked them resulting in injuries to them and also the dog.