Bollywood actor Kalki Koechlin and theatre director Sheena Khalid's play 'Belly of the Beast' confronts the often-overlooked challenges of motherhood, from postpartum depression and miscarriage to societal pressures on women in India.

Adapted from Kalki's 2021 book, the play follows five women navigating the emotional and physical transformations of motherhood, including sleepless nights, identity loss, and the struggle to balance work and childcare.

The production highlights the stigma surrounding miscarriage and the lack of societal support for mothers, who are often expected to juggle multiple roles without recognition.Kalki emphasizes the need for empathy, stating that mothers should not bear the burden of perfection.The play's raw portrayal of these issues resonated with audiences in Delhi, who responded to the honest depiction of maternal struggles.

Statistics reveal that 69% of Indian women are excluded from the workforce due to childcare responsibilities, underscoring the systemic inequities faced by mothers.

The production also addresses the cultural expectation of 'supermum' status, advocating for shared parental duties to alleviate pressure on women.