Shweta Tiwari, one of television’s most adored actresses, recently walked down memory lane, reflecting on her early years in the industry and the hard work that shaped her career. Best known for her iconic role as Prerna Sharma in Kasautii Zindagii Kay, Shweta opened up in a heartfelt chat with Bharti Singh and Haarsh Limbachiyaa on their podcast. She revisited the long, exhausting shoot schedules, her admiration for Ektaa Kapoor, and the unforgettable bond she shared with her co-star Urvashi Dholakia.
Shweta revealed that she landed the lead role in Kasautii Zindagii Kay after Ektaa Kapoor spotted her in the promo of another TV show, Aane Wala Pal. That opportunity marked the beginning of a groundbreaking phase in her career. Once the show took off, there was no looking back.
Ektaa Kapoor’s Tireless Work Ethic
Recalling the relentless work schedule, Shweta shared how she once shot for 72 hours straight without a break. She explained, “30 din ke mahine hote the, mujhe 45 days ka cheque milta tha… mai aise shoot karti thi.” She described how one day would be split into two complete 12-hour shifts, with the second starting where the first ended. That kind of dedication wasn’t limited to the actors, even Ektaa Kapoor was equally involved.
The actress praised Ektaa for her unmatched energy and focus. Shweta recalled that Ektaa was running 22 shows at the same time, often going without proper sleep. Yet, she never hesitated to pick up calls or guide actors through difficult scenes.
Shweta admired how Ektaa could break down a scene so clearly that no actor could go wrong after hearing her narration. That level of detail and clarity was rare in the industry, and Shweta deeply valued it.
Creating for Creativity, Not TRPs
What struck Shweta the most was Ektaa Kapoor’s passion. She said that Ektaa, in those days, didn’t create shows to chase ratings. Instead, she made them out of pure creative joy. “Unn dino voh audience ko impress karna show nahi banati thi… voh apni khushi ke liye, apni creativity ke liye, apni imagination ke liye show banati thi.” According to Shweta, this creative freedom and authenticity made the shows more relatable and emotionally rich.
Urvashi Dholakia’s Dedication Behind Komolika’s Look
Shweta didn’t forget to acknowledge the contributions of her co-star Urvashi Dholakia, who played the unforgettable antagonist Komolika. She recalled how much effort Urvashi put into crafting her signature look from her dramatic bindis to her ever-evolving hairstyles.
Under Ektaa’s guidance, Urvashi often experimented with her appearance. Some days, she would change her hairstyle or alter her bindi design just to add a new edge to her character. Shweta respected how Urvashi blended Ektaa’s instructions with her own creative flair to bring Komolika to life.
The Legacy of Kasautii Zindagii Kay
Kasautii Zindagii Kay, which aired from 2001 to 2008, remains one of Indian television’s most beloved soap operas. With Shweta Tiwari as the strong and emotional Prerna, Cezanne Khan as the charming Anurag, and Urvashi Dholakia as the iconic villain Komolika, the show set a benchmark in storytelling, drama, and performance.
