Shweta Tripathi on books, Golu Gupta, and Mirzapur: The Film
Synopsis
Shweta Tripathi says her bond with Golu Gupta was never acting — it was recognition. The actress, a self-confessed bookstore over-spender, argues that reading has made her less judgemental and more empathetic, qualities she sees at the core of Golu's evolution. With Mirzapur: The Movie hitting cinemas on 4 September, her candid reflection adds a rare personal dimension to one of Indian streaming's most beloved characters.
Key Takeaways
Shweta Tripathi says her love of books predates her role as Golu Gupta and forms the deepest connection between her and the character.
She credits reading with making her 'less judgemental, more empathetic and endlessly curious' — qualities she brings directly to her acting.
Mirzapur: The Movie is directed by Gurmmeet Singh and presented by Amazon MGM Studios with Excel Entertainment .
The returning ensemble includes Pankaj Tripathi , Ali Fazal , Divyenndu , Rasika Dugal , and others; newcomers are Jitendra Kumar and Ravi Kishan .
The film is scheduled for theatrical release on 4 September .
Actress Shweta Tripathi has revealed that her love for books long predated her portrayal of Golu Gupta in the Mirzapur franchise — and that this shared passion forms the deepest bond between her and the character. The disclosure comes as the actress prepares for the theatrical release of Mirzapur: The Movie, arriving in cinemas on 4 September.
Books Before Golu
Tripathi said the connection she feels with Golu was immediate and organic, rooted in a reading habit she had cultivated long before the role came her way. 'Every actor hopes they'll meet a character who already understands a part of them. For me, that was Golu. Her love for books never felt like research because I'd been living with that habit for years,' she said.
She added with characteristic warmth: 'I've always been the person who walks into a bookstore saying, "I'll just browse," and somehow walks out carrying at least three books.'
How Reading Shapes Her Craft
For Tripathi, books are not merely a hobby but a professional instrument. 'Books have shaped the way I see people and the world around me. As an actor, you're constantly trying to understand why someone behaves the way they do, and books allow you to step into hundreds of lives without leaving your own. They've made me less judgemental, more empathetic and endlessly curious,' she said.
This empathy-through-reading philosophy maps directly onto the demands of screen acting, where understanding human motivation is central to a convincing performance. Notably, Golu Gupta — a character who evolves from a bookish student into a formidable figure across the Mirzapur series — has become one of the franchise's most celebrated arcs.
Where Shweta and Golu Differ
Tripathi was candid about the distinctions between herself and her on-screen alter ego. 'Golu and I also share that need to keep learning, asking questions and not accepting everything at face value. Where we're different is that Golu is much more reserved, while I'm someone who enjoys conversations and expressing what I feel,' she said.
'But at our core, that curiosity and love for discovering something new through every book is what connects us the most,' she added.
About Mirzapur: The Movie
Mirzapur: The Movie has been directed by Gurmmeet Singh and is presented by Amazon MGM Studios in collaboration with Excel Entertainment. The film is jointly produced by Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar under the Excel Entertainment banner, with Kassim Jagmagia and Vishal Ramchandani serving as co-producers.
Returning cast members include Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal, Divyenndu, Rasika Dugal, Shweta Tripathi, Shriya Pilgaonkar, and Harshita Gaur. New additions to the ensemble are Jitendra Kumar and Ravi Kishan. The film is set to release in theatres on 4 September.
Point of View
And empathy builds performance — is a quiet rebuke to the idea that screen acting is purely instinctive. What is also worth noting is how the Mirzapur franchise has consistently positioned Golu Gupta as its intellectual conscience, a character whose arc from student to power-broker is driven by curiosity rather than brute force. Tripathi's personal identification with that trait suggests the character's authenticity was never entirely scripted.
NationPress
2 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Shweta Tripathi say about her connection to Golu Gupta?
Shweta Tripathi said her love for books, which she had long before playing Golu Gupta, is the deepest bond between her and the character. She described the role as feeling like recognition rather than research, noting that Golu's curiosity and desire to keep learning mirror her own.
When is Mirzapur: The Movie releasing in theatres?
Mirzapur: The Movie is scheduled to release in cinema halls on 4 September. It is presented by Amazon MGM Studios in collaboration with Excel Entertainment.
Who is directing Mirzapur: The Movie?
The film is directed by Gurmmeet Singh. It is produced by Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar under Excel Entertainment, with Kassim Jagmagia and Vishal Ramchandani as co-producers.
Which cast members return for Mirzapur: The Movie?
Returning cast members include Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal, Divyenndu, Rasika Dugal, Shweta Tripathi, Shriya Pilgaonkar, and Harshita Gaur. Jitendra Kumar and Ravi Kishan join the franchise as new additions.
How does Shweta Tripathi say she differs from Golu Gupta?
Tripathi says both she and Golu share curiosity and a refusal to accept things at face value, but differ in temperament. Golu is more reserved, while Tripathi describes herself as someone who enjoys open conversation and expressing her feelings freely.
