Ananya Shankar

In the early light of a December morning, the studio hums with excitement. We find the photographer meticulously orchestrating the scene, the manager busy ensuring a seamless process and the stylists discussing jewellery pairings, when the actress walks in rather nonchalantly.

Triptii greets everyone with her characteristic warmth as she makes her way towards the hair and make-up artists who are poised for action. Despite just landing in Mumbai and skipping breakfast, she wears a sincere smile on her face.

The actress’ meteoric rise post Animal has left her basking in newfound fame. Despite the success, she addresses the critiques surrounding the misogynistic allegations, expressing, “You can’t make everybody happy and that is something we all have to make peace with. I would’ve still taken the film because it’s the character that I found very interesting…”

Triptii delves into the intricacies of her craft, sharing insights from collaborations with renowned directors and heartwarming anecdotes from the sets. As she prepares for upcoming ventures, it is her maturity and inherent authenticity that shines through, offering readers an authentic portrait of the woman behind the characters.

HELLO!: Triptii, tell us about your journey. When did you first know you wanted to be an actress?

Triptii Dimri: “I knew I was not made for a 9 to 5 job and so, I explored my options in college. That’s when a friend wanted me to shoot for him and he sent my pictures to a company called Images Bazaar. I started modelling with them and after a couple of years, I told my agency that I wanted to explore acting and that’s when I started auditioning—I stumbled upon Poster Boys and Laila Majnu’s auditions and with that, my journey began.”

H!: Congratulations on the success of Animal! How has life changed day to day after your first blockbuster?

TD: “Thank you! I’m getting a lot of love from people; it’s quite overwhelming and when you are appreciated for something that you’ve done, it motivates you to do better. Though I don’t think it has sunk in properly yet. And I do get recognised when I’m out now—it’s something I’m still trying to get used to! Some call me Zoya, others call me Qala and Bulbbul—all of which makes me very happy.”

H!: In a previous interview, you mentioned not enjoying socialising or attending parties. Has that changed, and have you developed genuine friendships within the industry?

TD: “No, that hasn’t changed because I’m quite introverted and every time I’m in a new setting with new people I take a back seat. Although I have developed quite a few genuine friendships in the industry. It’s out of my comfort zone but it’s a part of the job and I have to be comfortable around people; well, not always, but I pick and choose my days!”

H!: Walk us through your self-care schedule, especially considering the demanding, fast-paced nature of the industry.

TD: “If I don’t get my sleep, I’m very irritated — so I make sure to get my seven hours. I also make sure to squeeze in a workout, eat healthy at least five days a week, and have incorporated meditations. But when I’m shooting, it’s difficult to take out time for everything, so I do it only for things that are really, really important.”

H!: What are some of your hobbies or interests that people might not be aware of?

TD: “When I was in school, I wanted to be a tennis player and I went for classes. Soon, I had my board exams and then, I had to go to college. Financially too, we couldn’t afford the fee for my class. I had to leave it behind; but as soon as I started making money, the first thing I did was join a tennis class! I also enjoy reading—every time I get a break from the set, I grab a book.”

H!: Who has been the biggest influence in your life?

TD: “There are many, but I would say my sister. I love the way she leads her life—balancing work and home life. She’s always calm and can communicate well, have difficult conversations; a quality I lack. Among the actresses, it’s Priyanka Chopra [Jonas]—I’m really inspired by her; she’s a very talented, versatile actress.”

H!: You’ve showcased great versatility with regard to your acting chops. How do you approach different roles? And how do you detach from them?

TD: “I want to make sure that every character I play is different from what I’ve done before. I say yes to things that scare me and as an actor, I look for challenging roles.I want to get out of my comfort zone and that’s what I did with Zoya. She’s very headstrong and does what she feels is right and as a person, I’m the same. And when you take on a project as an actor, you’re just playing the character. When you go in with that kind of clarity, it’s easier for you to detach yourself. Initially, It was difficult for me with Bulbbul—I cried on the last day of shoot; but as you work on more films, meet more people and gain more experience, you learn to detach yourself from the characters you play.”

H!: You’ve had the opportunity to work with directors like Imtiaz Ali and Anvita Dutt. How has the experience been, collaborating with such accomplished filmmakers?

TD: “Imtiaz sir has been really kind and I’m glad that I did one of my first films with him. He taught me how to be calm and told me that it was okay to fumble and make mistakes. Anvita Dutt is like a mother figure to me—I think we are attuned to each other. I consider myself lucky to have bumped into such great directors and learn from them so early on in my career.”