Jehan Manekshaw: From Sam Bahadur’s Grandson to India’s Theatre Visionary

When your grandfather is Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, one of India’s most celebrated military heroes, you could easily choose a life of legacy. But Jehan Manekshaw chose to build his own battlefield — on the stage.

Today, Jehan stands tall as one of India’s leading theatre educators, shaping Mumbai’s creative future through Drama School Mumbai (DSM) and the Drama Schools Foundation Mumbai (DSFM). His story proves that real legacy isn’t just about carrying a name — it’s about creating a new one.

From Army Legacy to Artistic Vision

Jehan is the son of Maja Daruwala, Field Marshal Manekshaw’s younger daughter. While his grandfather defended the nation on the frontlines, Jehan defends the arts and empathy in classrooms and auditoriums.

His link to cinema came alive during Meghna Gulzar’s 2023 biopic “Sam Bahadur”, starring Vicky Kaushal. When Fatima Sana Shaikh played the role of Indira Gandhi and when Vicky prepared for his role, he spent days learning from Jehan about the real “Sam Bahadur.” Their sessions were so impactful that Vicky later called them “insightful and grounding.”

After the film’s release, Jehan shared:

“My grandfather’s motto was — work hard, play hard. Vicky truly did justice to that spirit.”

Jehan had earlier co-created a documentary on his grandfather titled In War and Peace – The Life of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, MC, giving a rare, intimate look into the man behind the medals.

Building a New Kind of Drama School

Jehan Manekshaw’s biggest contribution to Indian culture is The Drama School Mumbai, founded in 2013. The school trains actor-creators — people who don’t just perform, but also write, direct, and build the theatre ecosystem itself.

He holds degrees from Wesleyan University (USA), Goldsmiths College (London), and Birkbeck College (London), bringing global knowledge home to Indian soil.

Under his leadership, DSM has become the go-to institution for serious theatre aspirants — offering structured training like:

• PG Certificate in Acting & Devising (Residential): A 31-week intensive course that blends training and ensemble work.

• PG Certificate in Acting & Theatre Making (In-City): A year-long program held in Mumbai for working professionals.
  

Through DSFM, Jehan also launched Ekalavya, an e-learning platform bringing quality theatre education online — breaking the idea that learning acting needs access to fancy institutions.

Beyond Stage: Theatre for Schools and Corporations

Through his company Theatre Professionals Pvt. Ltd., Jehan’s team works with over 30 schools across India — using drama to make education more human and interactive.

He even brings theatre into the corporate world through Theatre Professionals HRD, conducting workshops on leadership, empathy, and communication. Because, as Jehan says:

“Drama teaches us how to listen — and that’s leadership in its purest form.”

Awards, Recognition & Impact

• Recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi’s Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar — one of India’s highest honours for young artists.

• Kamalnayan Bajaj Fellow at the Aspen Global Leadership Network.

• Over 90+ DSM graduates are active across film, web, and theatre.

• Alumni have founded 8 new theatre groups and created 9 original plays since graduating.

DSM also introduced the Niloufer Sagar Alumni Grant, funding ₹1 lakh annually for new plays — ensuring the ecosystem keeps growing.

Vision: Building the Mumbai Theatre District

Jehan’s next dream? To make South Mumbai the Broadway of India.He’s been advocating for a “Mumbai Theatre District” a creative zone where artists, audiences, and businesses come together to make theatre a living, breathing part of city life again.

“Theatre is an antidote to loneliness,” he says. “It helps people connect — in a world that’s becoming increasingly digital.”

Legacy, Redefined

Jehan Manekshaw has quietly become to Indian theatre what his grandfather was to the Indian Army — a disciplinarian, leader, and visionary.

His mission isn’t about fame. It’s about creating spaces for stories, mentoring artists, and ensuring that India’s next generation of storytellers don’t have to go abroad to learn the craft.

If Sam Manekshaw built a nation’s courage, Jehan Manekshaw is building its cultural soul.

Aapke Sawal, Hamare Jawab (FAQs)

1. Who is Jehan Manekshaw in relation to Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw? Jehan is the grandson of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw and the son of his younger daughter, Maja Daruwala.

2. What is Drama School Mumbai famous for? DSM, co-founded by Jehan, is India’s leading theatre training institute known for its structured acting and theatre-making programs.

3. What award did Jehan Manekshaw receive from the Sangeet Natak Akademi? He received the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar, recognizing his outstanding contribution to theatre under age 40.

4. How is Jehan connected to Vicky Kaushal’s film “Sam Bahadur”? Jehan guided Vicky Kaushal during his preparation for the role of his grandfather, offering personal insights into Sam Manekshaw’s life and personality.

5. What is Jehan’s vision for Indian theatre? He envisions building a Mumbai Theatre District — a cultural hub that supports artists and brings live performance to the heart of city life.