EXCLUSIVE: Shweta Tripathi Sharma on playing acid attack survivor in Kaalkoot, “When I met the survivors, I started crying, they were smiling and living their lives”

Ever since her spectacular debut with Masaan, Shweta Tripathi Sharma has proved her mettle while playing diverse roles in projects like Haraamkhor, Mirzapur (season 1 and 2), Gone Kesh, Laakhon Mein Ek, Cargo, Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein, The Gone Game, etc. But with JioCinema’s latest web show Kaalkoot, she is playing a highly challenging character of an acid attack survivor named Parul. The show also stars Vijay Varma, who plays a cop running from pillar to post to provide her with justice. Here are the excerpts from Shweta’s exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama:

 

EXCLUSIVE: Shweta Tripathi Sharma on playing acid attack survivor in Kaalkoot, “When I met the survivors, I started crying, they were smiling and living their lives”

 

What was your initial reaction when you were offered the role of an acid attack survivor?

 

Sumit (Saxena, one of the creators) is my dear friend and one of my favourite writers. He is also very intelligent and smart. He sent me the script and he knew that I would read it and like it. Exactly the same happened. I started reading and I had to go out for dinner. I went for the dinner, and I couldn’t wait to come back and finish the script because I wanted to know what happens with these characters and where the story leads. When I finished reading, Sumit said, ‘Shweta, you have to be a part of it.’ While discussing he asked me if I would like to play Parul. I hadn’t thought that I could do Parul. But as soon as Sumit said, I knew I had to be Parul. I am happy that I am a part of this important show which will hopefully start conversations that would make people uncomfortable. It will make us realize how quickly we judge people.

 

There must have been physical challenges while playing this character because of the prosthetics and emotional challenges as well. How did you deal with it?

 

The first day I sat on the chair to get my prosthetics done, I just couldn’t help stop tears coming down. I hadn’t thought this would happen. The make up dada asked if I was okay. My heart was breaking thinking that I know I am an actor playing an acid attack survivor who is getting prosthetics done. And at the end of the day, I will get my face back. But people who go through this, it’s terrible. Crying of entitlement changes your life. It not only changes your face, but how you feel about yourself, how people look at you, how they make you feel or each and every reflection. We get a small pimple, and we feel bad about it. But when your face is burnt because of someone else, because that somebody thought that it was in their jurisdiction and their right to give you punishment. It’s a crime of hate. That makes you question yourself and the society you live in. How long will this continue, and we will be okay (with it)? How bad does it have to be for us to take notice and figure out?

 

How did you prepare for this role? There are moments in the show when your character is not able to speak and hence, she writes on a paper to communicate. Did you meet any real acid attack survivors?

 

I met acid attack survivors. I can’t even imagine the amount of strength they have. When I met them, I was aghast, and I started crying. They were smiling. They were living their lives. And that made me realize how easily we take things for granted. Looking at them, I felt more strength and courage. I thought I have to do justice to the story of Kaalkoot and, especially, to Parul’s character. When people look at me, they should feel the emotions and feelings of Parul. I felt even if I do small percentage of justice towards what survivors go through while telling their story, it will be a win for me. Even the prosthetics experts had to see at what will happen with the face at what stage; and how the face gets healed. I had to wear prosthetics for eight hours. So, it used to itch a lot at on the face at night. I used to apply aloe vera gel and ice. But I used to feel how can I complain about this because what I am going through is very small in comparison to what they go through. I thought I can’t be talking about my pain. This was my choice. People who go through this is not their choice.

 

 

You have worked with Vijay Varma before in Mirzapur. How is your rapport with him?

 

He is so talented. He not only makes his work better but everybody who works with him. Woh sabka kaam aur naam achha kar deta hai. He has so much respect for the craft he has chosen. He is always upgrading himself. When I meet him on the sets of Mirzapur, he is completely different than when I meet him on the sets of Kaalkoot. There is so much to learn from him. He is so dedicated and focused. It’s like when you are in the company of good students, it reflects in your numbers (marks) too. The same is the feeling with him. I have learnt a lot from him. It’s not just that his performance matters; it’s the entire thing. And this is how it should be. He is always observing everything around him, and he adds to it. Both of us are mad about acting. So, when I work with him, it feels good that ek aur pagal mil gaya.

 

You have played different types of characters in your career. What is your criteria before agreeing to do a project? And has it changed over the years?

 

It's very simple. It was same during Masaan days and it’s still the same. It’s about what is my emotional response when I read or hear something. And after that I see what my creative gut and instinct are telling me. Also, in the whole story, what part is my character playing. Then what is important for me is who is making this story, who is the director and producer because the right story shouldn’t go in the wrong hands.

 

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: “Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein season 2 will go on floors in last quarter of the year,” reveals Shweta Tripathi Sharma

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