Naseeruddin Shah to Play Salman Rushdie in ‘27 Seconds’: The Story Behind the Powerful Stage Adaptation

Veteran Indian actor Naseeruddin Shah is preparing to portray internationally acclaimed author Salman Rushdie in 27 Seconds, a theatre production inspired by Rushdie’s deeply personal memoir, Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder. The play explores the violent attack that nearly took the writer’s life in 2022 and the physical, emotional and personal journey that followed.

The production brings together theatre, literature and a real-life story of survival. Rather than focusing exclusively on the attack, it offers an opportunity to examine the lasting impact of violence, the importance of artistic freedom and the role of personal relationships in overcoming trauma.

Why Salman Rushdie’s Story Is Coming to the Stage

Salman Rushdie is known internationally for his novels, including Midnight’s Children and The Satanic Verses. His writing has frequently explored identity, politics, religion and the complicated relationship between individuals and society.

On August 12, 2022, Rushdie was attacked with a knife at the Chautauqua Institution in New York State while preparing to speak at an event. The attack caused serious injuries and left him permanently blind in his right eye.

Rushdie later documented his experience and recovery in his 2024 memoir, Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder. The book provides a personal account of the incident, its consequences and the process of rebuilding his life after a life-threatening experience.

The stage production 27 Seconds draws from this memoir, bringing Rushdie’s own reflections into a theatrical setting. Its title refers to the brief duration associated with the attack, highlighting how a few moments can have consequences that continue for years.

Naseeruddin Shah Takes on a Challenging Role

Naseeruddin Shah’s involvement is one of the production’s major attractions. Known for his extensive work in Indian cinema and theatre, Shah has built a reputation for taking on characters that require emotional depth and careful interpretation.

Playing Rushdie presents a different challenge from portraying a fictional character. The role involves representing a living writer whose experiences are documented in his own words and whose life has been shaped by a highly publicised act of violence.

Shah is also involved in directing the production alongside Arghya Lahiri. Kaushik Sen has contributed to the dramaturgical development of the stage adaptation.

According to reporting by Hindustan Times and NDTV, the creative team sought permission to adapt Rushdie’s memoir, and the author responded positively to the project. The adaptation follows an important condition: the dialogue must come directly from the book.

This approach gives the production a clear foundation. Instead of inventing conversations to dramatise the events, the team works with Rushdie’s published account to shape the stage narrative.

Malaika Choudhury Plays Rachel Eliza Griffiths

Actress Malaika Choudhury is set to portray Rachel Eliza Griffiths, Rushdie’s wife and an important figure in his recovery.

Rushdie and Griffiths met in 2017 and married in September 2021. Their relationship features in Knife, including the emotional support Griffiths provided following the attack.

Her presence in the play adds another dimension to the story. A narrative centred on a violent incident can easily become focused only on the physical injuries and immediate danger. The inclusion of the relationship allows the production to explore what happens afterwards, when recovery becomes a long and deeply personal process.

This perspective may also help audiences understand that surviving a traumatic event is not simply about escaping immediate danger. Rebuilding confidence, adjusting to physical changes and finding a sense of normality can require considerable time and support.

More Than a Story About Violence

One of the most significant aspects of 27 Seconds is its potential to examine questions beyond the attack itself.

Rushdie’s career has been closely associated with debates about freedom of expression. His 1988 novel The Satanic Verses provoked international controversy and led to a prolonged period of threats against him.

The stage adaptation brings renewed attention to the relationship between literature, public debate and the safety of writers. It also raises a broader question: how can societies protect the freedom to create and express ideas while engaging with disagreements peacefully?

The production's literary foundation is particularly relevant here. By drawing its dialogue from Rushdie’s own memoir, it places his perspective at the centre of the theatrical experience.

At the same time, the story is not limited to censorship or public controversy. It also considers vulnerability, resilience, love and the role that creative expression can play in making sense of painful experiences.

For audiences, these themes may make the play relevant beyond the immediate circumstances of Rushdie’s life.

When and Where Will ‘27 Seconds’ Be Staged?

The production is scheduled to be presented at the Prithvi Theatre Festival in Mumbai on November 2 and 3, 2026.

According to published event information, the performances are scheduled for 8 PM on November 2 and 6 PM and 9 PM on November 3. The English-language drama is listed with an approximate running time of one hour and 40 minutes.

The production is presented by Motley Productions, the theatre company associated with Naseeruddin Shah and his longstanding commitment to stage performance.

For theatre audiences, the project brings together an experienced actor, a significant contemporary literary work and a subject with international relevance.

Why This Production Matters

27 Seconds stands out because it adapts a recent real-life experience rather than a conventional fictional narrative. Its impact will depend not only on Shah’s portrayal of Rushdie but also on how effectively the production balances the violence of the original incident with the quieter, more complex story of recovery.

The use of the memoir as the source material also gives the adaptation a distinct responsibility: it must communicate the author’s experience without reducing his life to a single traumatic event.

For Naseeruddin Shah, the production represents another engagement with theatre as a medium for exploring difficult subjects. For audiences, it offers an opportunity to encounter Rushdie’s story through live performance and to reflect on the relationship between art, personal resilience and freedom of expression.

Ultimately, 27 Seconds aims to bring attention to what happens after a life-changing event: the struggle to recover, the relationships that provide support and the determination to continue creating despite adversity.