EXCLUSIVE | 'Mirzapur' and Netflix's 'Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein' actress Shweta Tripathi: 'People used to say I look like Preity Zinta'

Shweta Tripathi is fresh off the success of the Mirzapur series that has become a part of the pop culture already. People have been making memes on the characters and the dialogues and the actress has now jumped into the rustic world of Netflix’s Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein. And just like Mirzapur, this show is also set to bloom into a trilogy.

In an exclusive interview with Firstpost, Shweta spoke about how she looks back at 2024, playing two diverse characters in the same year, and how people used to say she looks like Preity Zinta.

Edited excerpts from the interview

How would you describe 2024 as an actress?

I’m not saying this just for the sake of it that I feel so grateful, because I actually do. I feel great that I got to be a part of two of the most successful shows Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein 2 and Mirzapur on two of the most successful platforms. Everybody works hard, but when you get rewarded for your purpose and intent, it feels really happy.

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Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein 3 has been announced. What can we expect?

Even I want to know what’s going to happen next so I keep troubling my director. I want to know what happened in my character’s life and where she is. Is she alive or is she dead? I have a playlist for all my characters and as far as Shikha is concerned, her playlist is full of love songs. I like going back to my characters and listening to those songs.

Shikha was well settled and had such a lovely husband. Why did she have to go back to the love of her life and get caught?

I used to ask that myself during season one. Actually Vikrant didn’t choose this or want this. And also love is blind and Shikha loves him a lot. It’s unfair what happens with them and I feel bad for these characters. They get trapped only because of some people in power and then pay the price for it.

How did you prepare for this character?

The script helps you a lot. I need to connect with the emotional core of the character. One of the strongest traits of Shikha is her moral compass. She doesn’t like to lie, but unfortunately, the situation she has been trapped in, she’s only lying and lying. She’s becoming the person she does not want to be. But she also has the innocence that Madhuri Dixit had or the early days of Juhi Chawla. I have tried to embody that in Shikha. That’s she’s a beautiful girl whose dreams have gone all over the place.

The show is a pulpy ode to the cinema of the 90s, especially the whodunnits. What are your memories of that era?

I was a huge Sridevi fan. She could dance, do comedy, look both sundar and susheel, and even sexy. And then I became a fan of someone people said I looked like her, and that was Preity Zinta. A random taxi driver once told me I look like the actress when I was on a holiday with my parents and I was so happy. The songs of the 90s are also something.

What about the character of Golu from Mirzapur?

The best thing about her is her fearlessness. She accepts her mistakes and I am able to relate to that.

What do you have to say about the women’s roles in cinema have evolved and the content has changed

I believe that when change occurs, it is reflected across various aspects of our lives. For instance, when women gain visibility and power on screen, it signifies that they are also gaining influence in homes, offices, and professions such as law, medicine, and leadership roles like CEOs. I feel incredibly fortunate and grateful to witness this shift, which has been made possible by the efforts of men and women in the industry who have fought hard battles.

Because of their contributions, we now enjoy greater opportunities and recognition. It is crucial to acknowledge and appreciate those who paved the way for us, and it’s equally important for us to do the same for future generations—whether they are boys, girls, actors, or professionals in any field. Supporting each other is how we improve our craft, society, and overall progress.

I also want to give a special shoutout to all the girls aspiring to join the industry, no matter which department excites them. Please take that step forward because every step you take brings us all closer to collective growth and success.