At a time when social disharmony fostered by political binaries – progressive and conservative or left and right wing—continue to affect people’s daily lives in real-life and in the virtual atmosphere, actor Asmit Pathare’s play ‘Us & Them’ attempts to explore fundamental questions that puzzle many. These include people’s understanding of nationalism, othering and social discriminatory beliefs, deeply entrenched in the Indian society.

Inspired by Professor Nivedita Menon’s lectures on nationalism at Jawaharlal Nehru University’s Freedom Square in 2016, the play offers a metaphorical commentary on the polarisation and othering of communities based on political, regional, religion, caste and other social factors, which have only affected the quality of human lives across the country in recent years.