Roshan Abbas Revives 'Indradhanush' in Bengaluru: A Journey of Self-Discovery

New Delhi, India Jul 31, 2026 ALN: Following a major health crisis last year, Mumbai-based media personality Roshan Abbas found himself being wheeled into surgery at a hospital in Bengaluru. “This will be the only morbid part of the interview,” he says with a cheerful laugh, sounding just as viewers remember him from 'Family Fortunes', the popular TV show he hosted. His ability to maintain a light-hearted demeanor in the face of serious circumstances underscores a resilience that has characterized much of his life and career.

“Five minutes before the surgery, I reflected on life. It has been kind to me. I realised I had no regrets. But I also asked myself: if I come out of this hale and hearty, do I have any goals left?” recalls the artiste in his mid-50s. This moment of introspection prompted Abbas to reevaluate his life’s journey and the stories he had shared with others over the years. It was a pivotal moment that would ultimately lead to a new chapter in his professional life.

The question stayed with him. After three decades of telling other people's stories across mediums, he realised he had never told his own. That thought became the seed for 'Indradhanush' (rainbow), his debut solo storytelling show, a memoir with “about 15% fiction.” The title of the show, which translates to 'rainbow' in , serves as a powerful metaphor for the spectrum of experiences that life offers, encompassing both joy and sorrow.

Presented by performing arts collective Kommune, which he co-founded, the 90-minute show returns to Bengaluru this Sunday for its second run. While deeply personal, Roshan believes it carries a message that's universal. "All our lives are quite similar. We all experience first love, our first job, our first fight with our parents, our first resignation,” he says. And then there is always a “mentor who is also a tormentor,” he quips, highlighting the complexities of relationships that shape our lives.

The show traces his journey from growing up in Lucknow until the age of 25, when he was working in radio. Born to two teachers, his mother taught history and his father electrical engineering, Roshan credits the city with shaping his love for literature. "Lucknow is full of people who have a way with words. I often say that in Lucknow, to pass time, you either have chai or chatter. People just keep talking,” he says. This vibrant cultural backdrop provided a fertile ground for his imagination and storytelling abilities.

His childhood was filled with tales of Sheikh Chilli, jinns, kings and fairies, alongside Amar Chitra Katha, Phantom and Indrajal Comics. Radio dramas such as 'Hawa Mahal', and 'Modi Ke Matwaale Rahi' completed that world. These influences not only entertained him but also instilled a deep appreciation for narrative and performance, laying the groundwork for his future endeavors in media and storytelling.

The boy who scored 90% in school and was expected to become a doctor chose a different path instead, trading the operation theatre for the theatre stage in Delhi. Despite doubts and struggles, he eventually found his own rainbow, which is the central metaphor of the show. The title comes from a line his father would tell him: “Dhoop aur baarish saath chalte hain, tab banta hai indradhanush.” (Joy and sorrow, like sunshine and rain, come together to create a rainbow.) This philosophy resonates deeply throughout the show, as it emphasizes the duality of life experiences.

The show has connected with audiences in very unexpected ways and he finds it humbling. At one performance, a young woman seated in the front row was sobbing. Later, Roshan learnt she had lost an uncle who had introduced her to books, music and films. The same uncle had once shown her a rainbow when she was at her lowest. “A couple of weeks before the show, she had asked him for a sign that he was still watching over her. Then she stumbled upon my show,” he says, illustrating the profound impact that personal stories can have on individuals.

Bengalureans, too, have embraced 'Indradhanush' in their own way. “In the show, I say that the stage won't come to you; you have to find your place on it.” A young woman later wrote to him saying the line had become her life motto. She was preparing to move from Bengaluru to Mumbai to chase opportunities. And when a double rainbow spread across Bengaluru's sky last month, people flooded him with photographs. “It is beautiful how the material connects,” he says, reflecting on how his narrative has resonated with the audience’s own experiences and aspirations.

'Indradhanush' is both about the moments and people that shape our journey. In a fitting tribute during his last Bengaluru show, Roshan, with the easy charm that is unmistakably his, invited his surgeon on stage and told the audience, “He is the reason you are watching this show today.” This gesture not only highlights the importance of gratitude in one's life but also serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of human experiences.

The journey of 'Indradhanush' also reflects broader themes within the arts community in India, where storytelling has become a vital medium for personal expression and cultural reflection. In an era where mental health and self-discovery are increasingly prioritized, shows like Abbas's serve as both entertainment and therapy, encouraging audiences to confront their own narratives and find meaning in their experiences.

As Roshan Abbas prepares for the next performance of 'Indradhanush' on August 2 at the Samarthanam Auditorium in HSR Layout, it is clear that his journey of self-discovery through storytelling is not just a personal endeavor but a shared experience that resonates with many. The show is a celebration of life’s complexities and the myriad of emotions that come with it, inviting audiences to reflect on their own journeys.

Tickets for the show can be found on in.bookmyshow.com, offering an opportunity for more individuals to engage with the themes of resilience, growth, and the beauty of life’s imperfections.