‘Want to bring stories that make you uncomfortable’: Shweta Tripathi on debut play Cock

In February, mid-day reported that Mirzapur actor Shweta Tripathi is taking the leap to production (From fronting stories to backing them, February 18). Three months on, she is ready with her maiden theatre production. She is producing Cock, which will open in Delhi on June 6, followed by its Mumbai premiere on June 10. “Theatre has always been my first love. Producing a play like Cock is a personal and creative decision born out of my belief that storytelling should reflect the world in all its complexity and beauty,” says the actress, whose theatre production company AllMyTea is backing it.

Originally written by British playwright Mike Bartlett, Cock is centred on a man torn between the comfort of his long-time male partner and the pull of an unexpected connection with a woman. The play will star Rytasha Rathore, Tanmay Dhanania, Sahir Mehta, and Harssh Singh, with Manish Gandhi at the helm. Tripathi says the story speaks to anyone grappling with the messy nature of love and identity. “We are living in a time where people are finally feeling empowered to own their identities, and Cock doesn’t shy away from the discomfort or the beauty of that journey. It’s messy, human, and real. I want to be part of stories that make you uncomfortable in the best way. Pride Month is a celebration, but it’s also a reminder that visibility, inclusion, and acceptance are ongoing battles,” she shares.