Breast of Luck: A Musical Born from Friendship and Personal Battles
In a remarkable fusion of personal experience and artistic expression, a new theatrical production titled Breast of Luck is set to premiere in Mumbai. This unique play, born from the friendship between two acclaimed actors, promises to shed light on the complex journey of cancer while maintaining a surprisingly lighthearted approach through music and humor.
The Personal Stories Behind the Curtain
The play features actors Tannishtha Chatterjee and Sharib Hashmi in lead roles, both bringing deeply personal connections to the narrative. Chatterjee, who plays singer Sheila Roy, has been balancing her demanding rehearsal schedule with ongoing cancer treatment, including targeted therapy sessions that she continues even as the opening night approaches.
Hashmi, known to audiences for his memorable role as 'JK' in The Family Man web series, brings his own experience as a caregiver to the production. Having supported his wife Nasreen through her cancer journey, Hashmi's understanding of the caregiver's perspective informs his performance and his contribution to the play's development.
From Diagnosis to Creative Collaboration
The genesis of Breast of Luck traces back to October 2024, when Chatterjee and Hashmi were filming together in Dehradun. During breaks, they discussed creating a two-actor play but struggled to find suitable material. The project took a deeply personal turn in January 2025 when Chatterjee received her cancer diagnosis on the very day they were scheduled to meet in Mumbai for creative discussions.
"I thought it would make me feel better to meet a friend, even though I wasn't planning to tell him about my diagnosis," Chatterjee recalls. "When he sensed something was wrong, I broke down. He made me speak to Nasreen and that helped."
This emotional moment became the catalyst for their creative partnership. Rather than abandoning their theatrical ambitions, they decided to channel their experiences into a completely original work, weaving elements of their cancer journeys into what would become Breast of Luck.
Artistic Vision and Creative Process
From the outset, Chatterjee and Hashmi were determined to create a musical that balanced serious themes with levity. "We wanted to convey some important things but did not want to make it morose," explains Hashmi. "That's why we incorporated romance, music, and laughter."
The writing process involved both in-person collaboration and virtual sessions over Zoom, with constant improvisation and rewriting. Each actor primarily developed their own character's material while sharing ideas and feedback. The creative team expanded to include several notable contributors:
- Lyricist Swanand Kirkere wrote original songs
- Maanaav Poddar composed the music
- Ashley Lobo handled choreography
- NSD graduates Kunal Bhange and Sumit managed production design and lighting
When they shared their initial draft with friend and director Leena Yadav in October 2025, her positive response led to her joining as director. Yadav, known for films like Rajma Chawal and the documentary series House of Secrets: The Burari Deaths, approached her role with sensitivity, focusing on structure and dramatization while respecting the personal nature of the material.
Performance Schedule and Venues
The one-hour-and-forty-five-minute production will debut on January 29, 2026 at Mumbai's G5A venue, with two shows scheduled for both January 29 and 30. The play's significance extends beyond its opening weekend with several important performances planned:
- February 4: World Cancer Day performance at Yashwantrao Chavan Center as part of the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival
- February 11: Performance at PL Deshpande Maharashtra Kala Akademi for Bharat Rang Mahotsav
- February 14: Staging in Lucknow
Remarkably, Chatterjee continues her treatment throughout this period, with a targeted therapy session scheduled for January 27—just two days before the play's premiere. This real-life parallel between art and experience adds profound depth to the production's message about resilience, friendship, and finding light in challenging circumstances.
Breast of Luck represents more than just another theatrical production; it stands as a testament to how personal challenges can transform into powerful artistic statements that entertain, educate, and inspire audiences while providing catharsis for the creators themselves.
