‘There would be no Majnu without Laila’: Tripti Dimri

For someone who once wanted to become a television actress, Tripti Dimri is upbeat about the response that the trailer of her upcoming film, Laila Majnu, is garnering. After Imtiaz Ali, who has written and produced the epic love story’s modern-day version, complimented her during the reading sessions and producer Ekta Kapoor praised her performance, she is on cloud nine. The actress calls this movie a ‘double bonus’ with the two biggies backing it. We catch up with the Delhi girl for a Q & A about her journey so far. Excerpts...

Did you always want to be an actress?

I have wanted to act, ever since I was a kid. During my school days, I’d tell my friends that one day I would be a television star. But my parents weren’t too keen about me venturing into acting. Eventually, they gave in and allowed me to start modelling. That’s when I got a call from a casting director, asking me to come to Mumbai for an audition for Poster Boyz and I finally bagged the film.

Did you bag Laila Majnu after Poster Boyz released? 

In fact, I signed Laila Majnu before the release of Poster Boyz. My agency’s manager called me to do a screen test for a film. I asked for the script and after reading it, I told him I had already auditioned for the part in 2016. It hadn’t gone too well because I was camera shy. Later, my flatmate called to say that she was auditioning for Laila Majnu and asked me if I could come to the venue, so that we could go home together. When I reached, even I was asked to do a screen test. After a few days, I learnt that I had been selected. 

Do you wish this was your debut? 

Yes. This has everything one could ask for in a debut — an epic love story written by Imtiaz Ali, produced by him and Ekta Kapoor, a good soundtrack and ample scope to perform.

Imtiaz has written and co-produced the film, but it’s been directed by his brother Sajid Ali. 

Nonetheless, it has been a wonderful experience working with Sajid sir. Imtiaz sir has always been involved in the making. We did workshops with him for two months before we started shooting. He would always guide us and tell us how we could improve our performance. He would say, “You have to believe in the lines. If you can’t, then your performance won’t be convincing and connect to the audience.”

What, according to you, makes this classic love story relevant for cinegoers today? 

The story has been living on for so many years; it has inspired a lot of people. 

Initially, the audience may compare it with the old Laila Majnu, but I think the makers of this film were never contemplating a safe route. If that had been the case, they would have taken established actors instead of us newcomers. Except for the basic plot, everything has been changed. The film is set in Kashmir and addresses the problems faced by the youth today. I thought Laila would be this shy, conservative, ladylike girl, but she’s a flirt who loves attention and is totally bindaas.

Usually, both the lead characters in a love story are strong. But it seems your co-actor Avinash Tiwary has an edge with the madness he has to portray.  

More than two people madly in love with each other, it talks about sacrifices, finding and losing oneself, too. People talk about going crazy in love, but no one knows what happens when one actually faces it. So, Majnu has that necessary madness. But without Laila, there wouldn’t be any Majnu either.