Written and performed by Neha Poduval & Himanshu Sitlani
Directed by Miquelon Rodriguez
A Nautanki Bazaar production in association with Factory Theatre
If love travels the seven seas, who’s an Immigration Officer to disagree?
A comedy infused with Bollywood elements, An IMM-Permanent Resident is a hilarious take on the mundane and tiresome bureaucracy of the Canadian Immigration process, as experienced by playwrights and real-life couple, Himanshu and Neha. The play explores the irreverent journey to obtain Neha’s PR status, including the couple’s trials and tribulations as they put their hopes and dreams on pause (indefinitely). Through wit and creative banter, this fast-paced roller coaster transports us between Mumbai and Toronto, as Neha and Himanshu navigate the immigration system and ask themselves – is love worth it all?
An IMM-Permanent Resident premiered at BMO Incubator in The Theatre Centre in April 2022 and was nominated for 5 Dora Mavor Moore Awards in the Independent Category including Outstanding Production, Outstanding New Play, Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble, Outstanding Direction and Outstanding Sound Design.
Image Design by Awake Studio
An IMM-Permanent Resident House Program
About the Creators
Himanshu Sitlani – Playwright and Performer
Himanshu Sitlani is a Dora Mavor Moore Award-nominated playwright and performer. Originally from Mumbai, Himanshu has been deeply involved in supporting the creative arts in Canada. He currently serves as Managing Director at Native Earth Performing Arts while also pursuing his goal of building a bridge between creative artists in Canada and India. This vision led to the formation of Nautanki Bazaar.
In 2021 he wrote and performed in the virtual show Stories of a Dish that was presented at the Mississauga Multilingual Fringe Festival, the Edinburgh Fringe, the Little Lion Theatre Festival in London, UK, the Tata Literature Live Festival in Mumbai, India, and the Next Stage Theatre Festival in Toronto.
Neha Poduval – Playwright and Performer
Neha Poduval is a Dora Mavor Moore Award-nominated playwright and performer, with several feathers in her creative cap, having performed in various plays, corporate films, and TV shows across India. A post-graduate in acting from the reputed Film and Television Institute of India, she continued her association with the performing arts after moving to Canada. She co-runs Nautanki Bazaar, a South Asian focused theatre company in Toronto.
Neha is also a certified yoga teacher. In 2021 she started her own YouTube channel called Mustard Tempered Dreams, where she shares her love for food through delicious, easy-to-make (mostly) vegetarian recipes from India and around the world.
Neha was a part of Theatre Passe Muraille’s Buzz in-development program for the 2022/23 season. She was also selected for Factory Theatre’s Training Enhancement Program in 2024.
About Nautanki Bazaar
Founded in 2019 by Neha Poduval and Himanshu Sitlani, Nautanki Bazaar was formed with a mission to present, promote, showcase and celebrate South Asian stories and artists.
In 2021, Their first digital play, “Stories of a Dish’, was presented at the Mississauga Multilingual Fringe Festival, The Edinburgh Fringe, The Little Lion Theatre Festival in London UK, The Tata Literature Live Festival in Mumbai India and the Next Stage Theatre Festival in Toronto.
Their first in-person play “An IMM-Permanent Resident”, was presented at the Theatre Centre in April 2022 as part of Why Not Theatre’s RISER Toronto. The play earned 5 Dora Nominations in the Independent Category including Outstanding New Play and Outstanding Ensemble. It will now play at the Factory Theatre in March 2026 as part of their Spring 2026 Season.
In 2024, their play ‘Aala Tamasha Aala’ enjoyed a highly successful run at the Toronto Fringe, earning strong audience response and glowing reviews from critics. The play will return in 2027!
They’ve also had successful show runs of their Hindi plays ‘Miss Cuckoo’ and ‘Tax Free’ at the Mississauga Multilingual Fringe Festival in 2024 and 2025 respectively.
