Patruni Chidananda Sastry’s journey in the performing arts extends beyond dance and into the powerful world of theatre. Through both solo and collaborative projects, Patruni has explored themes like identity, self-discovery, gender, and societal change—using theatre as a medium for expression, awareness, and activism.

Absurdist Theatre Collaboration

One of Patruni’s key collaborations has been with Aman Ahemed, founder of Hyderabad’s absurdist theatre company. Together, they created thought-provoking performances like Skepticism, which explores questions around reality, identity, and the human condition. This work uses bold, experimental methods to challenge the audience's perceptions.

Solo Projects and Original Plays

Patruni has also created powerful solo works:

• Ekapatrabhinanyam is a one-person performance focusing on introspection, solitude, and the journey of self-understanding.

• The Shift is a play written and performed by Patruni, telling the story of individuals from homophobic backgrounds learning to accept their true selves. It has been showcased at events like Microsoft Gleam and has opened up important conversations about LGBTQ+ acceptance.

  
  

Nukkad Natak on Drug Abuse

As part of community outreach, Patruni performed in a nukkad natak (street play) on drug abuse at Polytechnic College in Hyderabad. What made this performance unique was that Patruni presented it in full drag, merging social messaging with queer visibility.

Drag Me Not – A Theatre of the Oppressed Play

In 2025, Patruni produced and directed Drag Me Not, a unique play using the Theatre of the Oppressed format. Performed during World Drag Day week in Hyderabad, the play brought together queer and drag artists to talk about real-life issues like marginalization, tokenism, and the struggles within the drag community.

The play used street theatre style and invited the audience to participate and change the scenes, making it an interactive and powerful experience. It was supported by DragVanti, Mobbera Foundation, and Rubaroo, and was the first of its kind in Hyderabad to combine drag and activist theatre.

Patruni’s theatre work continues to break barriers, challenge norms, and give voice to stories that are often unheard. Whether through experimental stage work, solo storytelling, or community-driven theatre, Patruni uses performance to inspire thought, change, and connection.