TV actress, Shweta Tiwari first became a household name with producer Ekta Kapoor’s Kasautii Zindagi Kay. Recently, over twenty years after the show first aired, Shweta reflected on her casting. She further shared an anecdote about a hilarious prank Ekta played on her before offering her the role.
Shweta Tiwari reveals Ekta Kapoor played a prank on her before offering her a role in Kasautii Zindagi Kay
Shweta Tiwari recently sat for a candid chat with SCREEN, during which she reflected on being offered the role of ‘Prerna’ in Kasautii Zindagi Kay. The actress revealed that Ekta had first seen her in the show, Aane Wala Pal. Despite never taking formal auditions, the producer cast Shweta in different roles following that. Shweta recalled Ekta giving her Kaleerein, in which she played a timid bahu, Karam Apna Apna, in which she had a negative role, and Kahin Kisi Roz, in which she played a snobbish girl.
After observing Shweta in all those roles for an entire week, Ekta then called Shweta on the pretext of scolding her for showing up late to the sets. The actress admitted that she was often late as her daughter, Palak had just been born. Recalling how Ekta pranked her by pretending she was going to ‘take her case’ for showing up late, Shweta narrated:
“One day she said, ‘Call Shweta to my cabin, I want to take her case as this is not done. She cannot come late on my sets.’ I was so scared to go and meet her after the pack-up. It was around 9:30-10 pm and she was sitting on a sofa. I was scared because I was new. She said, ‘I have heard you come late on my sets. What do you think? We will wait for you?’ Later, she started laughing and said she wanted to offer me Kasautii Zindagi Kay. She said, ‘Prerna is my dream. I want you to play that.'”
Ekta then asked Shweta if she could take on the role and avoid being late on the set. However, it took the actress a few months to realise whether the entire conversation had been a joke or not. Shweta revealed that for an entire month, she had heard nothing more about the show, but she was suddenly called for a look test. Shweta then did a small audition on the Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi set.
Shweta Tiwari says she owes everything she is today to Kasautii Zindagi Kay
Further in the conversation, Shweta Tiwari revealed that she is thankful to Ekta Kapoor for Kasautii Zindagi Kay to this day. The actress stated that the show had shaped her ‘personality’ and made her who she is today. Extending her gratitude to Ekta and Sobha Kapoor, Shweta said:
“I thank Ekta and Shobha Kapoor for giving me this chance when even I didn’t know I was talented. They saw something in me that even I didn’t know. Even when I did Kasautii, I never stuck to a particular image. I would do reality shows when people used to not go and do it. Today, people make contracts for 3 years barring you from doing anything else if you are doing one show, but Ekta had not done that with me.”
Shweta elaborated that Ekta had always given her the freedom to do what she wanted as long as the ‘telecast was sorted.’ This allowed her to bring her talent to a Punjabi film, Bhojpuri films, reality shows, and more. Shweta noted that her versatile roles have kept her from being tied to a single image. According to her, playing a certain role for a long time and then trying to change it often resulted in audience rejection. However, her jumping from ‘bahu‘ roles to a ‘sexy, naughty avatar’ helped her avoid being stereotyped.
Shweta Tiwari shared a sweet anecdote about a woman crying because of her performance in the show
Shweta Tiwari also shared a heartwarming incident that took place during her stint on Kasautii Zindagi Kay. The actress revealed that an elderly woman had come to her home crying, as she was upset about ‘Prerna’ being tortured by ‘Komolika.’ Shweta fondly recalled:
“Once an elderly woman came home crying. I had just woken up. She said, ‘I don’t like to see you getting tortured by Komolika. I pray to god she stops doing so.’ I just laughed and told her all of it is just acting. But there are so many sweet memories that will remain in my core always.”
What do you think about Shweta Tiwari’s revelations?
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