DT recalls overcoming financial hardships, speaks on being independent

EXCLUSIVE: The Magic of Shiri star Divyanka Tripathi recalls overcoming financial hardships with faith, speaks on being independent; says, “You don’t want to be answerable for every action”

Indian television and OTT star Divyanka Tripathi , who is currently captivating audiences with her latest release, The Magic of Shiri on JioCinema, recently shared her thoughts on financial independence, self-doubt, and the challenges women face in the entertainment industry.

In an exclusive interview, Divyanka provided insights into the deeper themes of the show and shared personal anecdotes that resonate with her character in The Magic of Shiri.

On Financial Independence

Speaking on the importance of financial independence, especially for women, Divyanka explained how it goes beyond just earning money. “I keep advising women to continue working even after marriage,” she said. Recalling a conversation with a newly married acquaintance, she remarked, “I told her to continue working, but she said she wanted to relax. I always say you don’t work only for money but for self-respect. Financial dependence is fine only to a point. Beyond that, you don’t want to be answerable for every action. Discussing decisions with family is important, but equal freedom allows a woman to become a better person to live with.”

Overcoming Self-Doubt

When asked if she ever experienced moments of doubt similar to her character in the show, Divyanka candidly admitted, “I have doubted myself many times. I don’t care about others doubting me—they’ll be proven wrong if you sustain. The real issue arises when you doubt yourself. It’s an awful feeling, especially when others rely on you. But you have to set aside those doubts and keep moving forward.”

Magical Moments in Real Life

In the trailer for The Magic of Shiri, her character asserts that magic is possible in real life. Sharing a personal anecdote, Divyanka said, “There was a time when I struggled financially. Whenever EMI payments were around the corner, I used to get only limited money just to pay the EMI. Yet, I always saw the glass half full. If you have faith, the universe has its way of making things happen. Magic does exist if you truly believe in it.”

Shifting Focus to OTT

Divyanka, known for her iconic role in Yeh Hai Mohabbatein, has been gradually transitioning to OTT platforms. Addressing this shift, she explained, “Web series take time to be made. As a woman, I look for roles that contribute to the story and are not just eye candy. Unfortunately, limited woman-centric shows are being created, and only a few actors get the opportunity to headline them. I hope more such stories are written and supported by the audience.”

Speaking of the show, produced by Jio Studios and Ding Infinity, it is directed by the popular Bengali filmmaker Birsa Dasgupta. The show is streaming on JioCinema.

It's good that she's shifting base from tv to ott. Tv is just trash nowadays, no good content whatsoever. I heard one show is so cheap that it is stealing YHM scene by scene...so lame!