It's Liberating To Let Go Of UnnecessaryJudgement: Shweta Tripathi Sharma

Shweta Tripathi Sharma, known for her versatility and remarkable acting skills, has left an indelible mark on both the big screen and the digital platform. Beyond her acting prowess, she is known for her advocacy for social causes and her dedication to fostering equality in the film industry and society. 

Venturing into an exclusive tour series, SheThePeople, powered by Gytree, takes a captivating dive into the extraordinary journey of none other than the talented actor, Shweta Tripathi. In an interview with SheThePeople, Shweta Tripathi Sharma discussed her journey in entertainment and emphasised the importance of standing up against injustice and not being judgmental, both in the film industry and society at large.  

On Doing The Right Thing

The actor started by saying that she firmly believes in the purity of intent and her desire to stand up for those who have lost their voice or lack the power to be heard stems from her father's role as an officer and her mother's work as a teacher. She revealed that, initially, she aspired to be a lawyer to give voice to the voiceless. Now, as an actor, she aims to provoke thought through the stories she tells and the characters she portrays.

We've lost touch with understanding ourselves and each other, caught in the pursuit of numbers and statistics, be it money or screens. But what about the core of humanity—our emotions? For me, these are universal. It's crucial to act with intent and embrace our emotions. Listen to your inner truth and do what you believe is right, disregarding external influence.

On Dealing With Judgements:

The actor revealed that she faced judgement for various aspects, one of which was her voice, but she embraced it. "Initially, when someone commented, I was in shock, and I questioned if I should offer the director an alternative of dubbing for me. Thankfully, the director encouraged me not to change anything about it."  She went on to say that the other instance was related to her personality. "I've been true to who I am, but for a role in Haramkhor (2015), someone suggested I adapt to a different persona. However, again, the director told me to be my own authentic self".

So, one aspect was my voice, which some considered too heavy, and the other was adapting my personality to fit a particular character.

She explained, "Personally, I steer clear of judgement because it can be limiting. I strive not to judge myself, and I make an effort not to judge others. It's liberating when you stop fixating on insignificant matters and determine what truly matters. Life becomes simpler, healthier, and better when you let go of unnecessary judgements."

On Standing Up Against Gender Inequality 

The actor shared that she never faced any gender discrimination in her family that made her or her sister feel smaller or larger than anyone else. "We were raised as equals, both at home and among friends, irrespective of gender."

However, later on, during the filming of a project, she noticed a stark difference in the entertainment industry and shared an instance about  'vanity van discriminations'. She said, "While some may wonder why it's a big deal, these vans serve as a sanctuary for peace and creativity when not shooting. They're spaces for contemplation, meal breaks, and relaxation. But then I realised the stark contrast, and I discussed this with a male co-actor, who wholeheartedly agreed that his vanity was way better than mine. His vanity van was what he had rejected, and that was completely acceptable. When I presented the issue to the producer, he refused to acknowledge that there was any difference at all, leaving me in shock. It was then that I realised the difficulty of getting through to people who don't even listen. As time went on, a similar situation unfolded on another show. Though I later got what I wanted, it troubled me that if I didn't stand up for what was right, it would not have been like this."

When I do stand up, it's not just for myself but for all the female actors and newcomers who will follow. Calling out injustice, even if it leads to being perceived as difficult, is something I've come to embrace. I'm determined to ensure that nobody faces judgement based on their gender, appearance, age, class, car, or voice.

The actor then went on to share her thoughts on how using her voice has been empowering for her, considering it a normal and essential aspect of her life. She also discussed her perspective on whether expressing oneself assertively is acceptable.

Society is a reflection of what's happening, and this applies not just to the film industry but to other professions like law, corporate jobs, or banking as well. Speaking up and being vocal is crucial because societal conditioning can be dangerous. I've received a lot of love and respect for speaking my mind, even though it might challenge the status quo.

She shared one of her experiences, "My directors, producers, cast, crew, and co-actors, and they've all been supportive. There was an incident on set when one of the crew members was behaving inappropriately towards the girls, and I knew it was happening. I hesitated to disrupt the day's work, considering the economic time constraints, but it couldn't wait. When I confronted him, his reaction was like nothing happened. I was almost in tears, but when I finally opened up about it, my director-producer and co-actor immediately supported me. They questioned why I hadn't informed them earlier and took swift action. The individual responsible was fired, and the department took steps to ensure the safety of the girls on the team. It was heartening to see my male peers stand up against such behaviour, and I have immense respect for them."

Sharma believes that both men and women should stand up for what they believe in. She urges individuals, including herself, not to compromise their values or silence their voices just to please others. She emphasises that there is immense power in purity of intent and encourages everyone to use that power to make positive changes, even within the film industry.

Watch the full interview here.

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