Triptii Dimri opens up about her breakdown on the set of Laila Majnu: "Did I make a mistake?"

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Sandeep Reddy Vanga's provocative film Animal, released in 2023, propelled Triptii Dimri into the limelight. The actress, who defies the conventional standards of the entertainment industry, has appeared in films such as Laila Majnu, Qala, and Bulbbul. Triptii's journey was particularly challenging, as she had not received formal training in acting. She recently shared her experiences of the emotional ups and downs she faced while working on Sajid Ali's Laila Majnu.

Navigating acting without formal training

Triptii disclosed to Filmfare that she was initially unaware of the intricacies of acting, prompting her to enrol in seminars. At that stage, she had not yet undergone any formal acting training. Her acceptance into the program came after participating in five or six workshops conducted by Mukesh Chhabra. Subsequently, they travelled to Kashmir to commence filming. She encountered difficulties in grasping the language, as they frequently used common terms that she found perplexing (DOP and POV). "What are these things being talked about?" she inquired, her tone reflecting genuine curiosity.

She started to doubt whether her decision to sign on for Laila Majnu was the correct one. She mentioned that discussions between Avinash Tiwary and Sajid during the workshop would delve into themes of character, complexity, backstory, and grief. Meanwhile, Triptii sat in contemplation, pondering, "What is the source of this pain?" "What motivates this behaviour?" "How deep is the suffering?" "Who are these people, and what are their intentions?" She found herself completely bewildered. On some nights, she would return home in tears, questioning if she had placed herself in a vulnerable situation. Did she make a mistake? Yes, she had accepted the role and was even selected. Despite her passion for acting, she still felt a sense of anxiety.

Emotional turmoil and challenges on set

They required a skilled actor for this film, and Triptii was tasked with embodying Laila, which included performing emotional scenes. Being herself on set was not a viable option; her lack of knowledge about the acting industry made it challenging for her to handle such circumstances. Upon attending the seminars, Triptii believed that acting would be straightforward, but she soon realized her misconception. She admitted that she had thought her only responsibility was to appear on camera and perform.

Saurabh Sachdeva, who starred alongside Triptii in Animal, reportedly sent her home due to her tardiness at his workshop. After the first schedule concluded, she promptly made her way to his workshop. However, on her first day, she was again late. He remarked while waiting outside, "The workshop was set for this time; you are thirty minutes late." She explained that she had been caught in traffic. His response was, "Leave, and come back tomorrow." Emphasizing the importance of self-discipline, he prohibited Triptii from entering. According to her account, she lingered for a while, hoping he would allow her in, but ultimately, he declined.