Belly of the Beast Highlights the Challenges of Motherhood
Bollywood actor Kalki Koechlin and theatre director Sheena Khalid have created a play called Belly of the Beast. The production explores the emotional and physical realities of becoming a mother.
The play is based on Kalki Koechlin’s 2021 book, The Elephant in the Womb, which she wrote after the birth of her daughter.
Stories of Five Mothers
The play follows the lives of five women as they experience different stages of motherhood.
Their stories include pregnancy, childbirth, raising young children, physical changes, sleepless nights, balancing work and childcare, and finding a new sense of identity.
It also explores difficult topics such as miscarriage, abortion and postpartum depression.
Kalki Koechlin on Motherhood
Kalki Koechlin said that conversations about motherhood in India often focus on the happiness of becoming a mother while overlooking the emotional struggles.
Emotional Changes After Becoming a Mother
She explained that becoming a mother can bring both joy and sadness, as many women feel they lose part of their previous identity.
According to Kalki, many mothers do not feel comfortable speaking openly about these emotions.
She also said society often expects mothers to take on most childcare responsibilities without recognising how demanding the role can be.
Audience Response to the Play
The play premiered in Delhi and received a standing ovation from the audience.
Humour Alongside Serious Topics
Director Sheena Khalid said humour was included to help audiences engage with difficult subjects while providing moments of relief throughout the performance. read more
Inspiration Behind the Play
Kalki Koechlin said she wrote The Elephant in the Womb during the Covid-19 pandemic after becoming a mother.
She said she felt isolated during that period and that writing helped her cope with postpartum depression.
Shared Experiences of Mothers
After the pandemic restrictions ended, Kalki spoke with many mothers and found that, although every experience was different, many of the emotional challenges were shared.
Childcare and Working Mothers
The play reflects the experiences of many Indian women who continue to carry most childcare responsibilities.
One scene shows a husband describing his day at work before asking his wife about hers. She replies that she spent the day caring for their baby, highlighting how unpaid caregiving often goes unnoticed.
Pressure on Working Mothers
The play also refers to government data showing that childcare responsibilities keep many women out of the workforce, while very few men leave work for the same reason.
Kalki said working mothers are often expected to succeed both in their careers and at home.
She believes parenting responsibilities should be shared more equally so mothers do not have to carry the entire burden.
Miscarriage and Emotional Healing
One of the play’s most powerful storylines focuses on miscarriage.
Actor Shruti Vyas plays a woman coping with pregnancy loss, drawing on her own personal experience.
It’s Okay Not to Be Okay
Shruti said people often told her she looked fine after her miscarriage, even though she was still grieving.
She hopes the play encourages people to understand that emotional pain is not always visible and that it is okay to admit when you are not okay. know more
The audience in Delhi responded warmly to this message, applauding the play’s honest portrayal of grief and healing.
