Exclusive: Shweta Basu Prasad says she is scared of repeating herself as an actor
Actor Shweta Basu Prasad, who reprised her role as Lekha in 'Criminal Justice' Season 4, opens up about her evolving choices as an actor, her experience working alongside Pankaj Tripathi, and her constant quest to keep things fresh on screen. In an exclusive chat with India Today, the actress shares why reinvention matters to her and how collaboration shapes her craft.advertisementHaving started her journey in the industry at a young age, Shweta says her selection of roles has always come from a very personal space, 'I've been pretty lucky that good work has consistently come my way,' she says.'My choice of projects has always come from the lens of an audience. I'm a movie buff—I love watching films and series. So, when a new project is offered to me, beyond just looking at the team or the scale, it's really the story and character that matter most," she added.
The actor believes in taking responsibility for the content she's a part of. 'My decision-making always starts with the question: Would I want to watch this? Because if I wouldn't, how can I expect others to? I'm asking people to subscribe, to spend their time and money—there's a certain responsibility in that. I have to genuinely believe in what I'm promoting.'advertisementWhen asked about working with Pankaj Tripathi and whether it has changed her approach, Shweta shares, 'I wouldn't say my performance has changed, but working with Pankaj ji has definitely added to my experience. There was a kind of nervous excitement, especially in Season 3 when my character was introduced. It wasn't just another scene—I was literally going head-to-head with him in court.'She adds, 'It was argument-heavy, dialogue-heavy, and technically demanding. But once I step into Lekha's costume and onto the set, that nervousness fades. Shweta takes a back seat, and Lekha steps in. The same happens with him—Pankaj ji disappears and Madhav Mishra takes over.'For Shweta, acting is deeply rooted in reaction and chemistry with co-actors. 'If I say something and I don't get the right reaction in return, my motivation for the next line falters. So, working with good actors really elevates your performance. I owe that to everyone I've worked with—Pankaj ji, Surveen, and the whole team.'The actress admits that her biggest fear is stagnation. 'Repeating myself is something I'm very conscious of—and scared of—as an actor,' she says. 'Cinema is a reflection of life, and life is full of surprises. Every day is different, and our art should reflect that.'advertisementShe emphasises the importance of reinvention in storytelling. 'There are many legal and courtroom dramas out there, but the key is in reinvention. It's not just about repackaging; it's about breathing new life into something. We are documenting the times we live in. What we created two years ago can't be replicated today—2025 brings a whole new lens. Even if it's the same story, it evolves with time. And that process of reinvention is far more exciting than mere repetition.''Criminal Justice' Season 4 is currently streaming on JioHotstar. You May Also Like
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Indian Express
‘If you want to raid his house, 4 am is a good time': Riteish Deshmukh believes Akshay Kumar's early morning habit to be his best asset
During the promotions of his latest release, Raid 2, Riteish Deshmukh indulged in a fun, rapid-fire conversation. The interviewee asked him what he would like to raid from the houses of his fellow industry peers, and the Bollywood actor's answers were both sharp and witty. When it comes to his Raid 2 co-star Ajay Devgan's house, Deshmukh said one can find all sorts of medicines and a cure for every ailment in his house. So, according to him, 'you will be raiding a lot of good medical advice'. If you raid Shah Rukh Khan's house, he has a wonderful library, hence 'you will be raiding a lot of wisdom', and when it comes to Salman Khan's house, 'goodness, positivity, and food' was the actor's reply. 'The entire family is so welcoming — right from Salman bhai to Salim uncle to Arpita to everyone,' he told India Today. Coming to his former co-star Akshay Kumar, Deshmukh said: 'If you want to raid Akshay's house, 4 in the morning is a good time. I mean, whoever is raiding will get raided, because he will put everyone on exercise.' Kumar has repeatedly expressed his dedication to fitness in interviews and media appearances. In a video that went viral a few weeks ago, the Sarfira actor told podcaster Ranveer Allahabadia: 'I won't put pressure on myself at the cost of my health. I think the man who is healthy is the wealthiest. In reality, this is what every person would like to be.' A post shared by Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) In fact, his Singh is Kinng co-actor Manoj Pahwa shared his experience working with him, elaborating on his strict schedule: 'At 7.45 pm sharp, his trainer used to come with his food. Around 8.30 pm, he used to leave as he is used to sleeping at 9.15-9.30 pm. He gets up at 4 am to work out for 2-2.5 hours. It's not easy. It was a learning experience for me,' he had revealed. Akshay Kumar's commitment to health and wellness reiterates the importance of taking care of oneself, said Spoorthi S, fitness expert at Cult, adding that being a fitter version of yourself is the most valuable gift you can give yourself. 'If you start eating and exercising right, you will cultivate habits you can sustain in the long run and also prevent many conditions that tend to creep up on you as you age,' she said. According to her, there are three facets that one should keep in mind in this regard: Strength training: As you start to age, your muscles tend to atrophy (break down) and bones tend to get weak and brittle. 'Performing any resistance training helps you to build muscle and improve bone density. Lifting weights for at least three days a week can help you build stronger muscles, improve joint health, and prevent injuries,' said Spoorthi. Prioritise mindfulness: Focus on stress-relieving methods and quality sleep so your body gets adequate recovery. Cultivate healthy lifestyle habits: Don't stop enjoying your favourite foods, or go on extreme diets. Simple habits like prioritising protein, including fruits or vegetables in all meals, minimising processed foods and alcohol, and eating mindfully without distractions, can help you focus on choosing a healthier path in terms of eating. DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
India.com
7 hours ago
- India.com
'200 cigarettes a day, eat meat, consume alcohol...' Amitabh Bachchan's SHOCKING revelations from an interview goes viral
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan is widely admired not just for his exceptional craft but also for his disciplined lifestyle. Did you know the actor once led a very different life, which was far from being disciplined? In a 1980 interview with India Today, Big B candidly discussed his former habits which included excess smoking, daily alcohol consumption, and eating meat. He said, 'I do not smoke, drink, or eat meat. It is not a religious issue, but a matter of taste.' Reflecting how he gave up everything, the actor said, 'I used to consume meat, drink alcohol, and smoke, but I have given all that up.' Well his decision to quit wasn't forced by religious beliefs but was necessary considering practically. One of the reasons was especially having difficulties of finding vegetarian food abroad. Amitabh Bachchan also noted that eating meat in his family was never disapproved of. His mother, Teji, and wife, Jaya Bachchan, both enjoyed non-vegetarian food, while his father, Harivansh Rai Bachchan, practiced vegetarianism whole his life. During his time in Calcutta, Big B revealed that he used to 'smoke up 200 cigarettes a day.' He admitted saying, 'But I quit after coming to Bombay. I drank excessively too, but some years ago, I realised I didn't need it.' Amitabh Bachchan further expressed, 'These habits no longer affect me, except when I'm shooting overseas, where finding vegetarian food can be quite a challenge.' Besides discussing his lifestyle changes, he also spoke about his temperament, calling himself calm and composed in his younger days. Big B said, 'I don't think I'm a violent person, nor do I often lose my temper.' Professionally, Amitabh Bachchan continues to work and stay active at the age of 82, inspiring younger generation of actors across. He was last seen in Kalki 2898 AD (2024), and later starred alongside Rajinikanth in Vettaiyan (2024) , marking their on-screen reunion after 33 years.
Hindustan Times
8 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Aamir Khan reveals it was Amitabh Bachchan who supported the idea of Sitaare Zameen Par's theatre-only release
Aamir Khan is returning to the big screen after three years with his next, Sitaare Zameen Par. The film is looking for an exclusive release in theatres on June 20. Aamir has previously stated that he wants to keep the film in theatres and avoid immediate release on OTT platforms. Now, in an interaction with India Today, he shared how Amitabh Bachchan encouraged him to pursue this release model. (Also read: Sitaare Zameen Par title song: Aamir Khan, Genelia D'Souza spread joy in peppy number, fans call it 'OG sports anthem') During the interaction, Aamir shared that even though he has no issue with any streaming platforms, he was unable to find logic in the timeline in which a film has a theatrical release and then premieres on OTT within the next few weeks. He added that it was Amitabh Bachchan who encouraged him to take the risk and stick to his beliefs with the theatre-only release. Aamir added, 'I am a loyalist of cinema, and I believe in it. Yes, it's a big risk, and there's a lot [of money] involved. If I don't get that chunk of my pre-sales, and the film doesn't work, it could lead to a major loss. I did receive offers, but I turned them down because I want audiences to go to theatres and watch my film. I believe in cinema, and I believe in my audience." Sitaare Zameen Par is the spiritual sequel to the 2007 hit film Taare Zameen Par. The film, which sees him play a basketball coach training a team of players with special needs, is a remake of the Spanish film Campeones. It is directed by RS Prasanna. Produced by Aamir Khan Productions, the film introduces 10 actors: Aroush Datta, Gopi Krishna Varma, Samvit Desai, Vedant Sharma, Ayush Bhansali, Ashish Pendse, Rishi Shahani, Rishabh Jain, Naman Mishra, and Simran Mangeshkar.
