What makes a relationship survive fixed change and stress? “Steadiness,” says choreographer-director Jainil Mehta, whose queer theatre manufacturing SAM;AAJ shall be staged in Hyderabad on Could 16.

Interspersed with music, Hindi and English poetry, the 60-minute efficiency blends conventional and modern dance vocabularies. Whereas ‘samaaj’ in Hindi means ‘society’, the title breaks the phrase into ‘Sam’ and ‘Aaj’, translating to stability and immediately or the current.

The story follows two males navigating the strains inside their relationship. What begins as a dialog at residence and an intimate second regularly unravels into an argument, forcing them to confront whether or not they nonetheless wish to keep collectively. “No relationship is ideal. There shall be ups and downs, however how individuals navigate them collectively, and whether or not they’re keen to search out stability, types the crux of the story,” says Jainil.

Jainil Mehta
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Particular Association

The efficiency closes with the music Kya tera, kya mera, foremost samjhoona (We don’t know what’s yours, what’s mine), ending on a be aware of hope because the couple chooses to embrace uncertainty collectively.

The poetry is by Amrita Saluja and Devarshi Shah, whereas music and lyrics are by Shivansh Jindal. Aasa Singh and Vijay Kumar Asokan are credited with vocals for Miraaj and lighting design respectively.

Actuality of change

The concept for the efficiency was impressed by Sita and I, a theatre piece Jainil Mehta watched in Ahmedabad in 2024. “It was carried out below a tree and retold the Ramayana from Sita’s perspective. My coronary heart felt heat after the present.”

A scene from ‘SAM;AAJ’
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Particular association

As he started conceptualising a equally intimate manufacturing, Jainil additionally mirrored on the evolving relationships round him — from newly married pals to the altering dynamic between his dad and mom. Across the similar time, he drifted away from a childhood good friend. “I couldn’t relate to him anymore,” he says. These experiences formed the efficiency’s exploration of change, and the way individuals typically develop collectively and at different instances aside. “In some unspecified time in the future, it turns into a selection whether or not you wish to stay in a relationship or not.”

Although advised via a queer lens, Jainil says SAM;AAJ is relatable to anybody navigating relationships. “It’s not nearly discovering stability with others, but additionally inside your self, as a result of the efficiency additionally speaks about insecurities that hinder relationships.”

The manufacturing has had 12 stagings throughout India in 2025 and is at present on a multi-city tour that started in Mumbai. After Hyderabad, it travels to Pune, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Kolkata and Gurugram.

SAM;AAJ shall be staged at Rangbhoomi Areas in Serilingampally on Could 16 at 6 pm onwards; Tickets on Bookmyshow