In the rollercoaster world of Bollywood, few stories of resilience and determination are as compelling as that of actress Triptii Dimri. The young star, who recently made waves with her performance in ‘Animal’ and is set to headline Kartik Aaryan’s ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3’, had a tumultuous start to her cinematic career. Triptii first caught the public’s eye with her mesmerizing performance in ‘Qala’, yet it was the 2018 film ‘Laila Majnu’ that heralded her arrival in the movie industry – a movie that, unfortunately, did not resonate with the box office.
The film, which few people went to see upon its release, left Triptii heartbroken. She vividly remembers the time leading up to its release: “When Laila Majnu was about to be released, I was buying vegetables at Pali market. I was living in a rented apartment and was doing most things by myself,” she recalled, sharing her modest expectations of fame which were starkly contrasted with the eventual reality of the film’s reception. Despite her disappointment, Triptii did not succumb to despair. Instead, she shifted her focus towards honing her acting skills, immersing herself in numerous workshops to stay grounded and sharpen her craft.
After facing her initial setback, Triptii’s journey took an audacious turn when she decided to audition for ‘Bulbbul’ – a move that required her to step into the still-nascent Indian OTT space. Her decision was met with skepticism by peers, who questioned her choice to transition from theatrical releases to a Netflix film. At the time, the streaming giant had produced a mere eight films from India, rendering Triptii’s choice a considerable gamble. “But I will do this film no matter what. I love the story. I love the character. It can tank. It can do well. I’m not thinking about all those things. I just want to experience this,” she affirmed, reflecting a steely resolve to grow as an artist.
‘Bulbbul’ turned out to be a formative experience for Triptii, with her acclaimed performance opening up new avenues in her career. This marked the beginning of a transformative journey for an actress whose debut had not met commercial expectation. The poignancy of this story is not lost when one reflects on the subject matter of her first film. ‘Laila Majnu’ represents a timeless narrative of star-crossed lovers, a story that has transcended generations and cultural boundaries, being repeatedly reimagined through countless adaptations.
Directed by Sajid Ali and backed by the production prowess of Ekta Kapoor and Shobha Kapoor, the film transports the classic tale into the strife-torn landscapes of contemporary Kashmir. Triptii breathed life into the character of Laila, a fiery and independent spirit, with Avinash Tiwary portraying the passionate Qais. The two leads delivered compelling performances, effectively capturing the excruciating pain and exuberant joys of fabled love. Despite its rich narrative texture and the performers’ skillful portrayal of Laila and Majnu’s tragic love, the film failed to capture the audience’s patronage in theaters.
The tale of ‘Laila Majnu’ was one of love pitted against insurmountable societal and familial odds; not unlike Triptii’s own professional struggle. Hers is a story within a story, mirroring the determination of Laila with an unflagging pursuit of acting prominence. Now, with critical recognition and eagerly anticipated projects in her docket, Triptii Dimri looks back at her film debut with a bittersweet sense of evolution. She has emerged from the heartbreak of ‘Laila Majnu’ to become one of Bollywood’s esteemed contemporary talents, proving that every setback can be a setup for a remarkable comeback.
