‘Visibility, dignity, acceptance’: Shweta Tripathi is bringing a queer play on Pride Month that asks hard questions

Shweta Tripathi has always had theatre in her blood. Known for her work in films like ‘Masaan’ and web series like ‘Mirzapur’, she built her career on screen. But this June, she stepped back into a world she first entered over 15 years ago. Not as an actor this time. As a producer.

Tripathi is launching her theatre production company, AllMyTea, with the play ‘Cock’, written by British playwright Mike Bartlett and directed by UK-based Manish Gandhi. The play won the Olivier Award in 2010. It is one of the most talked-about queer dramas in contemporary theatre.

Advertisement

Fifteen years ago, ‘Cock’ had its Indian debut at Thespo, a youth theatre festival. Back then, Tripathi worked on the lights. This time, she is the one making it happen.

What the play is about

The plot follows John, a man in a long-term relationship with another man, who finds himself falling for a woman. It is not a love triangle. It is a crisis of identity, sexuality, desire, and self-understanding. The play runs without props or elaborate sets. It is just live music and four actors working through emotional combat on stage.

The cast features Rytasha Rathore, Tanmay Dhanania, Sahir Mehta, and Harssh Singh. The production is a collaboration between AllMyTea and Gaysi Family, a community platform for desi queers.

The premiere was held on June 6 in Delhi at Max Muller Bhavan and on June 10 in Mumbai at Prithvi Theatre, timed to Pride Month.

Why Pride Month makes it more meaningful

Tripathi was clear about why this timing matters to her. She did not frame it as a marketing decision. She called it personal.

Speaking about staging the play during Pride Month, she said: “What I love about ‘Cock’ is that it doesn’t tell audiences what to think. It asks questions. At its heart, the play is about identity, love, confusion, vulnerability and the search for authenticity.”

“Those themes are universal, which is why people continue to connect with it so deeply. Presenting the play during Pride Month feels especially meaningful because Pride is ultimately about people having the freedom to be themselves and to live honestly.”

“It’s about visibility, dignity and acceptance, but it’s also about empathy and understanding,” she added.

Also Read: 5 underrated queer Indian films to watch this pride month