Throwback to when Tripti Dimri was doubting her decision to sign Laila Majnu: “I was clueless ki ‘Yeh kya baatein chal rahi hain”

From workshops to tears: Triptii Dimri opens up about her struggles as an acting novice during the making of Laila Majnu

Triptii Dimri has become a prominent name in the Indian film industry, especially after her recent appearance in Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s controversial film Animal (2023). Despite her newfound fame, Triptii’s journey to stardom has been far from easy. As an outsider in the competitive world of Bollywood, she has worked hard to carve out her niche, having previously appeared in notable films like Laila Majnu, Qala, and Bulbbul. However, her initial experiences in the industry were challenging, particularly during the filming of Laila Majnu, where she faced significant hurdles due to her lack of formal training in acting.

In a heartfelt interview with Filmfare, Triptii opened up about her experiences during the early stages of her career. She admitted that she had no prior acting experience and had never taken any acting classes before shooting for Laila Majnu. “I hadn’t studied acting by then. I had to do workshops with Mukesh Chhabra for 5-6 days before I was even given the nod to start shooting,” she explained. Following the workshops, she found herself in Kashmir, struggling to adapt to the demands of the role. “I would find myself struggling to understand the language. I didn’t know the meanings of DOP and POV—they would keep using those terms, which we use on a daily basis. I was clueless ki ‘Yeh kya baatein chal rahi hain (What is actually going on)?’”

When Tripti used to go home and cry sometimes

Triptii revealed that her inexperience often left her feeling overwhelmed and filled with self-doubt. “Even in the workshop, Avinash and Sajid sir would be talking about character, depth, backstory, and pain, and I would just be sitting there thinking, ‘Kya pain? Kya baatein kar rahe hain yeh log?‘ (What pain? What are these people talking about?). I literally used to go home and cry sometimes, thinking, ‘Mai galat toh nahi fass gayi? (Did I make the wrong decision)?’ I love acting, but I was still scared,” she recounted.

The pressure of the role was immense, especially in scenes where she had to display vulnerability and emotion. “This film required a good actor. There were scenes where I had to cry and truly embody Laila. You can’t be Triptii on set; you have to transform,” she said. It became clear that she had underestimated the complexities of acting and the preparation required for such a demanding role.

Triptii about her interactions with actor Saurabh Sachdeva

Adding to her challenges, Triptii shared an anecdote about her interactions with actor Saurabh Sachdeva, who co-starred with her in Animal. He had sent her home for being late to his workshop. “As soon as the first schedule was over, I went to Saurabh sir for his workshop. And again, I was late on my first day. He was sitting outside and said, ‘The workshop’s time was this, you are half an hour late.’ I told him that there was traffic, but he insisted, ‘Go, come tomorrow,’” she recounted. This experience highlighted the importance of discipline in the industry, a lesson she took to heart as she continued to grow in her craft.

Despite the initial struggles, Triptii Dimri has emerged as a talented actress with a promising future, proving that determination and resilience can lead to success in the film industry. Her journey serves as an inspiring reminder of the challenges many face in pursuing their dreams, particularly in a field as demanding as acting.