June&July 2026: Running, Remembering, Reimagining

This short list of recommendations covers a little bit of everything: stories of love and companionship, questions of identity and belonging, sharp satire, and journeys through motherhood. From returning favourites to new premieres, here are five plays and performances that we're looking forward to!

1.Ottam: Born To Run | Hindi When: Thursday 25 June, 2026 Where: Rangshila Theatre What: Written and directed by Sapan Saran, Ottam follows Akai Amaran, a professional runner who has overcome class and caste barriers to compete at the highest level, only to find herself subjected to invasive scrutiny of her body and identity. Inspired by real events, the play examines the systems that decide who belongs, who gets excluded, and who gets to define fairness in sport. It's an important and relevant conversation to be having in today's times and apart from that, Sapan is known for crafting high energy plays that are full of heart. Know More

2.Beloved | English When: Saturday 27 June – Sunday 28 June, 2026 Where: Studio Tamasha What: What does it mean to inherit stories of queer love?

Drawing from poetry, literature, personal writing and history, Be-Loved brings together an anthology of texts that trace queer desire across generations, geographies and identities. Directed by Sapan Saran, the production moves between theatre, music, movement and satire, placing canonical voices alongside contemporary ones and asking how conversations around queerness continue to evolve.

At a moment when visibility is often mistaken for acceptance, Be-Loved turns its attention to the many ways queer people have found language for love, longing, friendship, grief and joy. Know More

3.Old World | English When: Tuesday 30 June – Sunday 5 July, 2026 Where: Prithvi Theatre What: Two strangers meet at a health resort. What follows is an unlikely friendship that quietly changes both their lives.As Rashid and Xenobia spend time together, conversations become confidences and companionship gives way to something deeper. In a culture that rarely places older people and their emotional lives at the centre of the story, Old World does exactly that.Performed by Naseeruddin Shah and Ratna Pathak Shah, Motley's much-loved production returns to the Prithvi stage with all the tenderness, humour and wisdom that has made it a favourite for years. Know More

4.Sakal Jaane He Naath – A Folk Comedy | Hindi, Bundelkhandi

When: Friday 3 July & Saturday 4 July, 2026

Where: Third Bell Studios What: Adapted by Srinivas Beesetty from Vasant Deo's Sudama Ke Chawal, this playful folk comedy reimagines the story of Sudama and Krishna through a contemporary lens. Performed in the Swaang tradition and drawing on Bundelkhandi language and music, the play blends storytelling, satire and sharp observation to examine the assumptions we continue to make about gender.

With Bhumika Mane stepping effortlessly between multiple characters, Sakal Jaane He Naath is witty, inventive and delightfully irreverent. Know More

5.Belly of the Beast | English When: Sa

turday 11 & Sunday 12 July, 2026 Where: Jamshed Bhabha Theatre, NCPA

What: Motherhood is often spoken about as a singular experience. Belly of the Beast reminds us that it contains multitudes.

Creadted by Kalki Koechlin and Sheena Khalid, the production follows five women across different stages of motherhood, transforming their experiences into a world of myth, music, movement and dark humour. Moving between the everyday and the fantastical, the play explores the joys, fears, losses and transformations that accompany bringing new life into the world. Performed by Kalki Koechlin, Shruti Vyas, Kettan Singh, Amba Suhasini Jhala, Shanaya Rafaat, and Rachel D'Souza, the show is further brought to life by music composer and musician Guy Hershberg and percussionist Varun Gupta.

With live music, puppetry and a striking visual language, Belly of the Beast arrives as the newest addition to Aadyam's season, making its premiere in Mumbai this July. Know More