Latest news with #PrithviTheatre
News18
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Shweta Tripathi Produces Bold Queer Drama ‘Cock', Set To Debut In Mumbai And Delhi This Pride Month
Last Updated: Shweta Tripathi debuts as a theatre producer with queer play Cock, premiering in Delhi and Mumbai this Pride Month to celebrate LGBTQ+ stories on stage. Shweta Tripathi Sharma, best known for her powerful performances across film and OTT platforms, is returning to her artistic roots—theatre—with a bold new role: producer. More than a decade since she last appeared on stage, Shweta is back, this time producing the Indian premiere of the critically acclaimed queer play Cock, written by British playwright Mike Bartlett. The production is set to debut during Pride Month, with premiere performances on June 6 at Max Mueller Bhavan in Delhi and June 10 at Mumbai's iconic Prithvi Theatre. Produced under her newly launched theatre banner AllMyTea, Cock is a raw, emotionally charged narrative that explores sexuality, identity, and the spectrum of human connection. The play, directed by UK-based theatre-maker Manish Gandhi, features an impressive cast including Rytasha Rathore, Tanmay Dhanania, Sahir Mehta, and Harssh Singh. With a story centered around a man torn between his long-term male partner and a newfound attraction to a woman, the play delivers a gripping, intimate exploration of desire and self-discovery—topics that remain deeply relevant today. For Shweta, this isn't just a creative venture; it's a deeply personal mission. 'Theatre has always been my first love," she said. 'It's raw, immediate, and leaves no space to hide—from the audience or from the truth. 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." She emphasized the importance of staging such narratives during Pride Month: '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. That's what drew me to it." The actor-producer also sees this project as a vehicle for change: 'Pride Month is a celebration, yes—but it's also a reminder that visibility, inclusion, and acceptance are still ongoing battles. With this play, we aim to honour queer experiences and give them the stage they have long deserved." Currently in pre-production, Cock marks a significant leap in Shweta Tripathi's evolution—not just as a performer, but as a creative force shaping conversations around identity and inclusion. As she transitions into this new chapter of storytelling, Shweta is not just making a return—she's making a statement. First Published: May 31, 2025, 17:59 IST
Hans India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Shweta Tripathi returns to theatre as a producer after a decade with queer drama
Actor and producer Shweta Tripathi is all set to make her debut as a theatre producer with the staging of the critically acclaimed British play titled 'Cock'. The play will have its premiere show to take place on June 6 in Delhi at Max Muller Bhavan and June 10 in Mumbai at Prithvi Theatre to commemorate Pride Month. Speaking about the project, Shweta shared, 'Theatre has always been my first love. It's raw, immediate, and leaves no space to hide—from the audience or from the truth. 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. Shweta is producing this place under her theatre production company called AllMyTea which is being directed by UK based, Manish Gandhi. The play has roped in actors Rytasha Rathore, Tanmay Dhanania, Sahir Mehta, Harssh Singh. For Shweta to bring back this play celebrating queer love and pride month is the highlight to celebrate and highlight this story during a month dedicated to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. Written by British playwright Mike Bartlett, and being directed by Manish Gandhi, the play is an explosive, emotionally charged drama that delves into themes of identity, sexuality, and the fluidity of love. It's honest, unapologetic portrayal of a man caught between the familiar and the unexpected—his long-time male partner and a new-found attraction to a added: '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. That's what drew me to it.' The actress said that she wants to be part of stories that 'make you uncomfortable in the best way—stories that spark conversations, empathy, and perhaps even change.' She continued: 'Pride Month is a celebration, yes—but it's also a reminder that visibility, inclusion, and acceptance are still ongoing battles. With this play, we aim to honour queer experiences and give them the stage they have long deserved.' The production is currently in casting and pre-production, with the play scheduled to open in June 2025 in Mumbai and Delhi.
India Gazette
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Gazette
Shweta Tripathi to produce queer drama, details inside
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], May 30 (ANI): Actor Shweta Tripathi is excited to make her debut as a theatre producer with the staging of the play 'Cock'. As per a press note, the play's premiere show will be held on June 6 in Delhi at Max Muller Bhavan and June 10 in Mumbai at Prithvi Theatre to commemorate Pride Month. Written by British playwright Mike Bartlett, and being directed by Manish Gandhi - Cock is 'an explosive, emotionally charged drama that delves into themes of identity, sexuality, and the fluidity of love.' On turning producer for the drama, Shweta said, 'Theatre has always been my first love. It's raw, immediate, and leaves no space to hide--from the audience or from the truth. 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.' '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. That's what drew me to it. I want to be part of stories that make you uncomfortable in the best way--stories that spark conversations, empathy, and perhaps even change,' she added. The play has roped in actors Rytasha Rathore, Tanmay Dhanania, Sahir Mehta, and Harssh Singh. (ANI)
Khaleej Times
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
This community is building a digital South Asian pop culture hub in UAE
Did you know that Jay, Veeru, Gabbar and Thakur, the infallible iconic characters from forever Bollywood blockbuster Sholay (The Amber, 1975), visited Hatta recently in their cutest funky avatar. There were also the star crossed Raj and Simran from the heartwarming Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (The Brave hearted will take away the Bride,1995) along with Simran's father Bauji waiting for a ride in the Dubai Metro; about to live a 'jee ley apni zindagi'(live your life, girl)! I gorged pleasingly into this fun post by Saanjh Dubai pondering how seamlessly these Hindi cinema characters blended with the rocky terrain of Hatta as if it was Ramgarh or with Dubai Metro Station vibe. What was most striking was the matchmaking of Dubai/UAE locations and Bollywood characters. Not a single scene fell out of place. Being an aficionado of retro Hindi cinema myself, I was kind of convinced that this must be by a content team who are not only knowledgeable about the subcontinent's desi culture but also really passionate in reaching its elements beyond their places of birth. Well Saanjh Dubai exactly does that and more; it gives South Asia a cognisant identity for both the Emiratis and the desis alike old and new who have made Dubai and UAE their home. Born out of a sublime experience during a visit to Prithvi Theatre (which was once helmed by actor, producer, Shashi Kapoor, built in memory of his father, the legendary Prithviraj Kapoor), and Prithvi Café Mumbai; Saanjh is a community driven initiative that fosters desi culture, founded by Emirati husband-wife Bader Ali Habib and Sakina Suhail, a couple who have been always fascinated by Indian and Pakistani cultures. Over a free-flowing conversation, Bader shares what went on to the making of Saanjh, their purpose and big dreams for future. Speaking of Saanjh's genesis, he adds, 'It was born when Sakina and I visited Prithvi Café at Prithvi Theatre in Mumbai last year. As we sat reading books, sipping masala chai and sharing keema pav, we found ourselves deeply moved by the conversations unfolding around us. Conversations that were thoughtful, artistic, and rooted in culture. We reflected on how Prithvi Theatre had inspired generations of film and theatre artists,fans. The aura of the space stayed with us, sparking a vision for something similar in Dubai — a place where desi arts, stories, pop culture, and food could come together under one roof.' Bader sounded excited as he opened up about his connect with 'desi' culture. After all, why is reviving and nurturing desi culture so important for him? 'The beauty of the word 'desi' is that it transcends borders, connecting people through shared heritage. Statistically, desis make up over 50 per cent of the UAE's population and have had a presence for centuries. Historical records narrate how spices and silk were imported from India. Indians and Pakistani traders, especially Sindhis and Gujaratis, made their way to Dubai almost five decades ago establishing their shops in Bur Dubai, many of which are still managed by third-generation Indian families. Having grown up amongst them, I see desi community as an essential part of modern Dubai. Saanjh has set on to nurture this desi culture by bringing them under one platform, so we can collectively shape a community anchored in shared pop-culture. There's no better place than Dubai—it's a city where desis from different parts of South Asia and the diaspora thrive and co-exist.' With such a deep rooted history between desis, the UAE's desi culture had sprouted long back. Bader offers a flashback,'Once the expat population grew Icons like Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Vinod Khanna, and Feroze Khan became household names among Emiratis. Seizing the opportunity, Indian and Emirati businessmen launched single-screen theatres as early as the 1960s. These cinema halls played Bollywood, Hollywood, and even South Indian language films regularly. By the early 2000s, there were close to a dozen cinema halls dedicated to Hindi films in Dubai itself. Today, with the advent of multiplexes these theatres may have disappeared but Emiratis have held on to their legacy of watching Hindi films and listening to Hindi songs.' It isn't surprising and the bond between the UAE and South Asia has only grown over the years. 'South Asians consider Dubai their home and a place where they can preserve their traditions while being part of a cosmopolitan city representing over 200 nationalities.' One can sense how Saanjh may have come with these funky Bollywood characters in advancing their purpose, creating a recall for the newer generation as well as evoke nostalgia; after all the founders themselves have had a long tryst with Hindi cinema. 'I was fortunate to grow up in the 90s and early 2000s, a golden era that gave us timeless films and unforgettable characters. We wanted to recreate these ever-popular characters in a fun way and plant them in UAE's different locations. To do that we utilised Saanjh's Instagram channel (saanjh_dubai) and our upcoming YouTube platform which are designed to build a digital home for desis in the UAE.' So, how has Saanjh's journey been so far, and what is its goal in the coming years? 'It's been nothing short of inspiring. Our vision quickly resonated with other desis in Dubai, from long-time residents to newcomers. Saanjh has become a community space where people can freely discuss their favourite childhood shows, films, and music while also contributing to the future of desi pop culture through events, screenings, podcasts, and more,' he added. 'So far, we've hosted a talk-show format evening with Piyush Mishra, a storytelling Iftar event with Laksh Maheshwari, and a talent showcase event featuring Mustafa Zahid. All these are members-only events and anybody can become a member of SAANJH by joining our WhatsApp community. Apart from this, we have also hosted a bonfire night at Al Qudra with a resident artist singing unplugged versions of popular Hindi and Urdu songs, as well as a social evening for our members to get to know one another better. Our monthly 'Filmy Guftugu' gathering is another initiative we are proud of. Through this, we bring together select members to share their thoughts on desi cinema's evolution and how Dubai can position itself as a cultural anchor especially as more and more artists now call this city home.' The future has more to offer, Bader reveals, 'Saanjh aims to foster collaboration between Indian and Pakistani artists, showcasing the best of both cultures right here in Dubai. We soon plan to expand into film screenings, theatre productions, panel discussions, podcast sessions, artistic workshops, and more. Our long-term goal is to become the largest desi pop culture community outside of India and Pakistan; the go-to destination for Dubai-based community seeking their desi pop culture fix. Our aim is to position Dubai as the beating heart of the South Asian diaspora and Saanjh a cultural hub with physical space where pop culture is celebrated through gatherings, screenings, workshops, musical evenings, and creative collaborations uniting Indian and Pakistani artistry.' As we bid an adieu over masala chai and Suleimani, I am convinced that the juggernaut dream is in making and its name is Saanjh Dubai.
News18
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Emotional Shashi Kapoor Touches Shammi Kapoor's Feet Before Accepting Award
Shashi Kapoor, born on March 18, 1938, was the youngest son of legendary actor Prithviraj Kapoor and brother to Raj Kapoor and Shammi Kapoor. An emotional throwback video of Shashi Kapoor from the Filmfare Awards has resurfaced online, melting hearts all over again. In the clip, the legendary actor is seen receiving the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award, and what followed next is now being fondly remembered by fans. A tearful Shashi Kapoor touched the feet of his elder brother, Shammi Kapoor, before receiving the award. Shammi gently cupped his younger brother's face and planted a kiss on his cheek, making it a touching moment of love and respect between the Kapoor siblings. Hosts Shah Rukh Khan and Saif Ali Khan were present on stage to announce the honour. As Shashi Kapoor made his way up, both stars respectfully touched his feet, a gesture that earned them praise from the audience. Accompanying the moment were Shabana Azmi and Yash Chopra, who jointly presented the award. Before handing over the trophy, Shabana Azmi took a moment to speak about Shashi Kapoor's legacy. 'When I first worked with you in 1974, I could never imagine that I would be given the honour and the privilege to give you the Lifetime Achievement Award. I thank Filmfare for giving me this opportunity. To a wonderful actor, a remarkable human being, a generous producer, and above all, the most beautiful man in the world, Shashi Kapoor," she said. The crowd gave him a standing ovation, acknowledging his unparalleled contribution to Indian cinema. Shashi Kapoor, born on March 18, 1938, was the youngest son of legendary actor Prithviraj Kapoor and brother to Raj Kapoor and Shammi Kapoor. His career spanned decades, with hits like Deewaar, Kabhi Kabhie, Trishul, and Junoon. He also made a mark in international cinema and was a key figure behind Prithvi Theatre's revival. He was married to British actress Jennifer Kendal and together, they created a strong legacy in theatre and film. Shashi Kapoor passed away in 2017 but remains a cherished icon of Indian cinema. First Published:
