Delhi play ‘Belly of the Beast’ explores motherhood’s hidden struggles on stage

Belly of the Beast examines motherhood’s hidden struggles on Delhi stage

Theatre production Belly of the Beast premiered in Delhi, where actor Kalki Koechlin and director Sheena Khalid presented a play adapted from Koechlin’s 2021 book The Elephant in the Womb, the creators said; the performance on that opening night addressed childbirth, pregnancy, miscarriage and postpartum depression and received a standing ovation.

The two-hour 10-minute play follows five women at different stages of motherhood, portraying pregnancy, labour and early child-rearing while highlighting bodily change, identity loss and the pressures of balancing work and childcare.

Kalki Koechlin told the BBC the material stems from her personal experience of pregnancy and postpartum depression during the Covid lockdown, and that writing the book was a cathartic act that later informed the stage adaptation.

Director Sheena Khalid said the production intentionally mixes serious themes with moments of levity to allow audiences relief when confronting heavy issues such as miscarriage and abortion.

The play also foregrounds social expectations in India, where motherhood is often framed as a duty; Koechlin said the cultural tendency to idealise motherhood can silence the darker emotions and the practical exhaustion experienced by many women.

On stage, scenes depict the uneven distribution of domestic labour, including a sequence where a working father asks his wife how her day was and hears only “I just looked after the baby,” illustrating how childcare often keeps women out of paid work.

Government data cited in the Times of India shows that childcare and housework keep around 69% of women in Indian cities out of the labour force, compared with 1% for men; Koechlin used the statistic to underline the structural challenges facing mothers who also pursue careers.

The play’s depiction of miscarriage resonated with audiences; actor Shruti Vyas, who drew on her own experience, said the role exposes the private pain and public awkwardness survivors often face, and that audiences reacted supportively when her character acknowledged she was not okay.

Performers and creators said the production aims to normalise conversations about loss, identity and mental health in motherhood, and to encourage families to share responsibilities so mothers need not bear the burden alone.