Pune, 13 January 2026: Pune is known for its strong theatre culture, with audiences often preferring live plays and dramas over cinema. However, the long-standing issue of poor hygiene in city theatres has once again come into focus after actress Amruta Deshmukh shared a video from Bal Gandharva Rangmandir.
Amruta had visited the theatre for the play 'Niyam Va Ati Lagu'. In her video, she showed the condition of the washrooms, backstage areas and VIP rooms, all of which she described as dirty and poorly maintained. She also pointed out the foul smell backstage and said that cleaning staff often arrive only a few minutes before a performance begins.
In her caption, Amruta questioned whether artists and audiences are taken for granted. She wrote that performers come and give their best on stage, while viewers come out of love for theatre, yet both have to deal with mosquitoes, rats and unhygienic spaces.
She also tagged the Pune Municipal Corporation, asking how long this situation would continue in a city that proudly calls itself a cultural hub.
The video quickly went viral, with many users expressing anger and sharing similar experiences. Several people supported Amruta and demanded that civic authorities take responsibility for maintaining public cultural spaces.
Bal Gandharva Rangmandir has faced criticism over cleanliness before, but the latest episode has once again raised serious questions. Whether this public outcry leads to real improvement now remains to be seen.