Shweta Tiwari is one of the most popular actresses of present times and it won’t be wrong to say that despite being mainly a TV actor, she is more popular than many movie actors and actresses and it is not just about her acting skills, it is also about her beautiful looks and appearance. She has worked in many TV serials, reality shows and few movies as well but she became a household name after working in Kasautii Zindagii Kay.
Shweta Tiwari recently shared a hilarious behind-the-scenes story about how producer Ekta Kapoor tricked her before finalising her as Prerna in the iconic show Kasautii Zindagii Kay. While speaking in an interview, Shweta reminisced about the playful prank that left her both confused and relieved, two decades after the show shot her to stardom.
Ekta Kapoor first noticed Shweta in Aane Wala Pal and immediately envisioned her as the perfect fit for Prerna. Instead of following the usual audition route, Ekta had Shweta experiment with a variety of roles. Over a week, Shweta tried on diverse personas – ranging from a demure daughter-in-law in Kaleerein to a scheming antagonist in Karam Apna Apna and even a stylish diva in Kahin Kisi Roz.
After this intensive trial phase, Ekta decided to pull a lighthearted prank. She summoned Shweta under the pretense of reprimanding her for frequent tardiness – a challenge Shweta faced as she balanced work with caring for her newborn daughter, Palak. Expecting a stern lecture, Shweta was instead greeted with Ekta’s playful revelation that she is her Prerna.
Shweta Tiwari recalled, “One day she said, ‘Call Shweta to my cabin, I want to take her case as this is not done. She cannot come late to my sets.’ I was so scared to go and meet her after the pack-up. It was around 9:30-10 pm and she was sitting on a sofa. I was scared because I was new. She said, ‘I have heard you come late on my sets. What do you think? We will wait for you?’ Later, she started laughing and said she wanted to offer me Kasautii Zindagi Kay. She said, ‘Prerna is my dream. I want you to play that’.”
Though thrilled by the unexpected announcement, Shweta was unsure if Ekta was really serious. Ekta asked her if she could commit to the role and maintain punctuality, leaving Shweta puzzled about whether this was just another joke.
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Weeks went by without any further communication and Shweta assumed the opportunity had slipped away. To her surprise, she was later called for a look test, followed by a brief audition on the set of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. The rest, as they say, is history.
Kasautii Zindagii Kay, which aired from 2001 to 2008, became one of the most beloved shows of Indian television. Chronicling the dramatic love story of Anurag and Prerna, played by Cezanne Khan and Shweta Tiwari, the show captivated audiences with its compelling storyline and memorable characters.
