External Affairs – A Thoughly Entertaining Peek Into Modern Day Relationships

Founded in 2000, Akvarious Productions is known for producing over 90 plays, including comedies, children's theatre, and intimate dramas. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to watch the much-talked-about play External Affairs at Rangshila Theatre in Andheri. What really caught my attention when I booked my ticket was that it revolved around common relationship problems. As someone who enjoys stories that reflect contemporary realities, I was eager to watch a play centred on modern relationships and the emotional complexities that come with them. The play revolves around Arjun (Chaitanya Sharma), a young man struggling to cope with a painful heartbreak. In the midst of his emotional turmoil, he crosses paths with Insia (Shweta Tripathi), who is also dealing with the aftermath of a failed relationship. Their unexpected meeting forms the heart of the story and takes the audience on a journey of emotions, self-discovery, and the challenges of navigating relationships in today's world. What makes External Affairs engaging is its ability to capture situations that feel familiar and relatable. Humour is woven seamlessly throughout the play and is remarkably relevant to today's generation. The story explores themes such as heartbreak, trust, communication, expectations, and the difficulties of moving on. Rather than presenting relationships in an idealised manner, it highlights the emotional baggage people carry and how past experiences shape future connections. This honesty is refreshing, as the play chooses realism over romanticising relationships. The production centres on four actors: Chaitanya Sharma as Arjun, Shweta Tripathi as Insia, along with Abhinav Sharma and Garima Yajnik, who portray multiple characters throughout the play. Each performer brings energy and authenticity to their role, making the characters believable and easy to connect with. Shweta Tripathi delivers a particularly impressive performance, portraying vulnerability and strength with equal ease. Chaitanya Sharma complements her well, and together they share a natural chemistry that keeps the audience invested in their journey. Chaitanya's singing towards the end of the play is both sensational and unexpected, adding a surprise element to the production. Abhinav Sharma and Garima Yajnik contribute significantly to the narrative, adding layers of humour, drama, and perspective to the unfolding story. Abhinav Sharma had the audience laughing throughout the performance with his impeccable comic timing. His portrayal of multiple characters, particularly Arjun's father, added both humour and depth to the narrative. One of the strongest aspects of the play is its writing. The dialogues feel natural, contemporary, and realistic, reflecting conversations that many young adults have about love, heartbreak, and relationships. Several humorous moments drew laughter from the audience, but the play also knows when to slow down and focus on emotional depth. This balance between comedy and drama prevents the narrative from becoming overly heavy while ensuring that its message remains impactful. The audience can easily stay hooked to the narrative. The direction keeps the story moving smoothly, and the pacing ensures that the audience remains engaged throughout. The intimate atmosphere of Rangshila Theatre works perfectly for a production that relies heavily on personal interactions and emotional conversations. The simple set design allows the focus to remain on the performances and the relationships between the characters, which is where the true strength of the play lies. An element that deserves special mention is the way multiple supporting characters are woven into the narrative. Characters such as Arjun's father, Arjun's friend, the therapist, Insia's mother, Insia's ex-boyfriend, and Arjun's ex-girlfriend add layers and texture to the story. Abhinav Sharma and Garima Yajnik do a remarkable job portraying these varied roles, effortlessly switching between characters, voices, and personalities. Their versatility adds to the humour and keeps the audience thoroughly entertained throughout the performance. What stayed with me after the play was how relatable the story felt. In an age where relationships are increasingly shaped by social media, changing expectations, and fast-paced lifestyles, External Affairs offers an honest look at the emotional realities of love and heartbreak. Many audience members could probably see parts of their own experiences reflected in the situations and conversations unfolding on stage. Unlike many conventional comedies, External Affairs is highly interactive and frequently engages with the audience. Its exploration of Gen Z relationships is packed with humour, wit, and observations that feel both relevant and insightful. Directed by Adhaar Khurana and written by Bobby Nagra, the play is backed by Akarsh Khurana and Saatvika Kantamneni, who have helped bring this entertaining and relatable production to life. During a conversation about the play, Shweta Tripathi shared her perspective on why External Affairs resonates with audiences today: "To me, it's about living in the times that we are living. Having relationships not only with our partners but also with our parents, exes, digital media, information overload, and constant entertainment. It's about what we feel, how we feel, and the many factors that influence us. The play also explores our internal monologues — the conversations we have with ourselves about whether someone is right for us, whether we might choose the wrong person and let the right one go. We draw benchmarks from our parents, cinema, and books. It talks about the confusion we experience both internally and externally." Adding another layer of authenticity to their performances is the fact that Shweta Tripathi and Chaitanya Sharma are married in real life. Their natural chemistry on stage enhances the emotional depth of the story, making their interactions feel even more genuine. In a world where relationships are becoming increasingly complicated and conversations around love, commitment, and self-discovery continue to evolve, External Affairs feels both very timely and relevant. It combines humour, emotional honesty, and excellent performances. The play succeeds in not only entertaining the audience but also encouraging them to reflect on their own relationships. It is a very different, refreshing and engaging production that leaves a lasting impression long after the curtain falls. I thoroughly enjoyed it!