With four shows last year, actor Shweta Tripathi Sharma was on a roll. Her demure character in Raat Akeli Hai, curious one in Cargo, fiery in Mirzapur season 2 and protective in The Gone Game Season 1, got her much love from the audience. With four projects lined up for 2021, the actor is clear about her career choices — passion over money. Excerpts from an interview:

I’m not a part of any race. I’m here for the joy of acting, which makes me happiest. Ten years ago, when I started my career, my yardstick to take up a project was, does it excite me? And even today, it’s the same. For me, the team, the experience, matter the most. Be it Masaan (2015) or Haramkhor (2017), there were ek se badkar ek log, who’re driven by passion. More than the budget of the film, the people are important.

I shot Haraamkhor first but Masaan released before that. Even today, my struggles are the same. There are times when one feels frustrated that why am I not working? Being on the set is my happy place. I want to do projects which have a story worth telling. I don’t want to be driven by labels that money, commercial cinema or appeal is more important but I’m driven by passion. Releasing a film in 5000 screen is bigger, but that’s not my driving force.

Usually, once I finish a project, I move on. But with Mirzapur season 2, for the first time, I had a lot of expectations. Pankaj Tripathi (actor) had told me that, ek actor ka kaam set pe khatam ho jata hai. We experience emotions and live life via different characters. That is my joy and what I want to practice. With every project, I want the characters to be unlike what I’d played before. Soon, I realised I need to research, meet more people and know more stories. This year, my agenda is to be more of a student. I’m focusing on my health, learning ballet and contemporary dance as I want to learn and grow.

When we took on web series, we didn’t realise that there would be seasons. Pehle yeh samajh nahin thi. Now, there is a better understanding about series and one has to ensure quality as a series is long term investment, in terms of emotion, availability and money.

Audience today is spoilt for choice but also what is important is that we’ve freedom of speech and expression. So, we’ve to be responsible for what we put out. We’ve to take ownership of our content. Most content few years ago was about violence and sex. Today, it’s much more than that. I’m playing a “happy” character in one of my upcoming shows and I’m glad as I’ve played too many dramatic ones and wanted a break.

Loved-up couple under quarantine, actor Shweta Tripathi and singer SlowCheeta, talk about their new ready-to-devour projects
Aastha Atray Banan (MID-DAY; August 30, 2020)

Shweta Tripathi and SlowCheeta, aka Chaitnya Sharma, realised early in the Coronavirus lockdown that social media trends weren't to be followed. "I tried to make the fancy coffee everybody was making online, and Chaitnya got sick after having it. So, we decided not to try anything trendy, just keep ourselves happy," the actor tells us over the phone.

Well, it would make sense, as the couple has enough to keep themselves busy. SlowCheeta has just released his three-track rap EP, and Tripathi will be back with Mirzapur's season 2, which is set to release in October. Before that, sci-fi movie Cargo releases on September 9. "We even shot all of the Voot series The Gone Game, in the house! I shot Shweta, and we were working all day long. So, it's been a productive time," says SlowCheeta, as Tripathi adds, "It was very different, as we are very vocal about each other's work, and when he said, he liked a scene, I was over the moon. The highlight of this phase has been spending time with my husband. Otherwise, when I return from a shoot, he's usually leaving for one."

SlowCheeta's EP presents the view of an upper middle-class man dealing with his set of problems. In a world where we are accustomed to recognizing rap as a "gully" sound, his take is refreshing. The melodies are catchy, his voice ear candy, and the lyrics speak of challenges he faced when growing up. "The three songs are about asking the listener to come share my journey. Rap has risen from the streets, but street or skyscraper, we all have our problems."

Tripathi, on the other hand, is the unsuspecting cutie on screen who can handle intense roles with ease. Most recently, she was the most palatable character on Netflix dud Raat Akeli Hai. But what viewers are looking forward to is Cargo, which director Arati Kadav had described to this writer in an interview in March as "a movie about life on Pushpak 634A, where a demon works for the Post Death Transition services, and with the help of a female astronaut, gets dead people ready to be recycled for rebirth". "Everything Arati does is not of this world, and that itself is exciting. I also love working with first-time directors, who bring great energy on set. Every little detail is looked into. We are competing with shows from all over the world. If you don't like it, switch it off. The audience has a lot of say now about what content works."

While work has slowly begun to take everyone out of home, the couple wishes they can spend more time with each other.

SlowCheeta says, "We are hopeless romantics. And we have so much to talk about all the time. The spectrum of conversation can get strangely widespread. A simple, 'how was your day?' question can set off an interesting chat. We love that."

Nishad Neelambaran (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 22, 2020)

“The ‘new normal’ for any industry or fraternity is going to be ‘safety first’,” says Shweta Tripathi Sharma. The Masaan (2015) actor, who has also been a part of the theatre culture in the country, feels that the theatre industry won’t “start anytime soon”. “Having said that, there are a lot of online plays and performances that are already happening and I think they’re just going to increase,” she adds.

The country has seen the states easing the Coronavirus lockdown restrictions since the start of this month. However, Sharma points out that it is extremely important to be careful. “Even if the lockdown eases, we need to be careful. It is not just one individual; it is about everyone you meet and interact with,” she elucidates.

Ask her if actors will be a little skeptical to shoot, and she says, “The best way to support any industry is by finding out new ways to deal with this situation. All the actors love performing, but not at the risk of our own lives and the lives of our loved ones. Acting is emotional and physical and it requires a lot of body language. It will be really difficult.”

Speaking about how the initial response can be from the audience, she says, “They will be sceptical and I am guessing they won’t be jumping at the first opportunity they get. We need to watch out for ourselves. It is not going to be easy.”

So, what changes does she expect to see when things open up? “Thankfully, people have taken up carrying a sanitiser with them seriously. Changes are already happening. We, as citizens, should take the responsibility, too. Let’s hope that we don’t let each other down in this situation,” she signs off.

Shweta Tripathi Sharma had been discouraged to venture into the web; adds she’s happy that OTT has allowed stories to win
Titas Chowdhury (HINDUSTAN TIMES; January 25, 2020)

Shweta Tripathi Sharma, who has been part of popular web shows such as Mirzapur and Laakhon Mein Ek, says that she had often been discouraged from taking up meaty parts on web platforms and shows. But she believes that actors working on the OTT platforms get to display their talent better as they invest a long time in a character. The actor, who will soon return with Mirzapur 2, reveals that she has been exposed to these clichés surrounding the web space and is glad that the tides are now changing.

She elaborates, “I’m often told that I should weigh in my options to ensure that I focus on doing movies more because they are the only avenue for an actor to earn their market status in the industry. I’m really happy because I’ve seen what the release of Mirzapur has done for all of us. The show is a sensation and by virtue of it, the actors are treated as huge stars.”

For the Masaan (2015) actor, the opportunities offered by the web space creatively satisfy artistes. “Shows such as The Family Man is simply out of the box. Manoj Bajpayee has delivered such a brilliant performance in it. It has been fruitful and satisfying exploring this platform as it gave me projects such as Mirzapur and Lakhon Mein Ek,” says the 34-year-old.

Talking about the star system that dominated the Indian entertainment industry for decades, she explains, “I’m only chasing good stories that shift the primitive ideas of what works and what sells. It’s important to reinvent and now that the content industry is booming, people need to stand up and realise that the entire star structure is crumbling. Stories are winning and those of us with foresight will back good stories above all.”

Shweta Tripathi Sharma says that the parts she has portrayed till date ‘did not take things lying low’ as they had confidence in them
Titas Chowdhury (HINDUSTAN TIMES; December 23, 2019)

There’s been no looking back for Shweta Tripathi Sharma ever since she made her debut as a leading actor in Masaan (2015). And this year has been rather eventful for the actor. She was part of films such as Gone Kesh and Mehandi Circus, which she shouldered on her own, besides critically acclaimed web shows like Made In Heaven and the second season of Laakhon Mein Ek.

For Shweta, it’s important to pick “relatable characters” that cause a tangible shift in the way women are perceived. “I want my characters to be strong. There’s not enough representation of such women on screen. We’re usually left to portray sanitised versions of ourselves. I’m constantly on the lookout for challenging parts,” she explains.

She believes in portraying parts that hit home. “I like to play different kinds of characters but my end goal, besides having a good time, is to portray women who exist in everyday life. I derive great inspiration from my characters. They’ve an intrinsic sort of confidence in them. They’re not people who’ll take things lying low and I gravitate towards such parts. I speak up for what I believe in and I ensure my characters also try to do the same. I believe one has to be the change they want to see. You have to muster the courage to take a stand,” she says.

Next year, Shweta will be seen reprising the role of Golu in the second season of Mirzapur, and will also play an astronaut in an upcoming film. Shedding light on these characters, she says, “My character from the web series, is of someone who derives strength from within herself. She initially comes off as an introvert but she’s a no nonsense girl. It’s only in subsequent episodes that we delve into who she is. This season, her character explodes in many ways. The nuances needed to become more apparent.”

She continues, “Similarly, my character in my next film was another one that I felt very close to. She’s a dreamer and believes in truly following her dreams. Dreams are imperative and it does not matter what gender you are, and that’s what my character is about.” 

Recently married Shweta Tripathi Sharma on headlining Arati Kadav's sci-fi film
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 31, 2019)

Positive word of mouth for Vikrant Massey and Shweta Tripathi Sharma's Cargo at the MAMI festival has set the ball rolling for the film. Mounted on a small budget, the actor says the film is "high on concept" — something that gratifies her as an artiste. It's not money so much as the "sheer joy of movies," she insists, that keeps her going.

"When this script came to me, I was sold on director Arati Kadav's vision. It's a sci-fi movie that even the common man can relate to," says Tripathi, adding that the Kadav, Anurag Kashyap, Shlok Sharma, and Navin Shetty production asks pertinent questions that often plague people. "It asks deep poignant questions about life, the afterlife and existential crisis. It's a thought-provoking film that is rooted in folklore as much as science," she adds.

Ask her about working with Kadav, and Tripathi can't stop singing her praise. "Women like her are inspiring. She would often come on set with her young daughter. She made me realise that work need not take a backseat for women post marriage. It didn't happen for me, it didn't happen for her. And I hope such expectations are not kept from the next generation at all," says Tripathi, who tied the knot with Chaitanya Sharma last year.

More often than not, films of this scale struggle to make it to the theatres, but Tripathi is confident that the positive reviews have been a huge impetus, and hopes Cargo is acquired by an OTT platform. "Theatrical release comes with its own set of commercial viability baggage but OTT is a free-playing field that is making room for diverse content."

Returning with the second edition of The Trip, Shweta Tripathi on her unconventional career choices and life after marriage
Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; November 27, 2018)

How has life changed after marriage?
The only difference is that my address has changed. I am still doing up our room. We’ve been dating for five years and couldn’t wait to get married. Cheetah [Chaitanya Sharma] is my anchor; he brought stability to my life. Acting is not just about glamour, you are portraying the emotions of so many characters and that sometimes plays with your sanity. That’s why it’s essential to have some ‘me’ time, and I get that with him.

The Trip 2 revolves around female bonding. What are you like with your girlfriends off-screen?
My girlfriends and I talk about cinema, the shows we are binge watching and how we can make a difference in society. We play board games like Settlers of Catan, and also travel together. In fact, we are already planning our next trip to Sri Lanka. Unlike what men think, girls don’t talk only about boys and shopping. Sadly, that perception has been created on screen because there are barely any female writers who can showcase the real equation women share. Luckily, I have worked with directors who are gender neutral in their treatment.

Did you miss Lisa Haydon during the shoot of the second season?
Only the production house can explain why she couldn’t be part of the second season. Lisa is a thorough professional. Even during the shoot of the first edition, she didn’t tell us about her pregnancy nor did she ask for favours. The way she celebrated motherhood on Instagram was beautiful. She is a commendable actor. We all missed her a lot.

Did it take a while to adjust with Amyra Dastur, considering she was the newbie on the set?
During the first meeting, Sapna [Pabbi], Mallika [Dua] and I kept talking about season one, and it was bound to be awkward for her. But after that, it was all about season 2. We became one unit.

You’ve created a niche with your off-beat choices in shows and movies. Has your career panned out the way you had planned?
I grew up on Yash Raj films and imagined myself wearing a yellow salwar suit, running across fields. I knew I liked to perform, but back then, I didn’t know what it truly entailed. For me, acting is not about looking glamorous — I barely have any makeup on in most of the films I do. I enjoy portraying real characters; the rest are perks of the job. My goal is to play characters that people take home.

You have worked with some talented actors. Has any co-star influenced you?
It would have to be Nawazuddin Siddiqui, my co-actor in Haraamkhor, my first film. There was so much to learn from him. He was so humble and down-to-earth; he would often discuss how we could do a certain scene together. It was not to put me down or challenge me, he did that out of respect for me as a co- star. That gesture made me confident as an artiste. Once, he told me, ‘Some actors always need to be choosy.’ His words have stayed with me since.