But as long as the paycheck is progressive, I’ll happily be part of your regressive content.

Shweta Tiwari is a familiar face on television (and these days, also on social media), and her journey over the years has been an inspiration for many. She has been part of some of India’s most successful TV shows, playing a wide range of characters that audiences love and adore. Now, as audiences, we have time and again questioned the regressiveness of such shows and wondered whether they should even be made. Interestingly, the actress herself once spoke up on this in an interview, calling it out in the most straightforward way. Today, on her birthday, let’s take a moment to revisit that bold statement.

When Shweta Tiwari Called Television 'Regressive'

In a candid interview in July 2024, Shweta Tiwari spoke her mind about television today. Known for her iconic role as Prerna in Kasautii Zindagii Kay, she was sharply critical of many contemporary shows.

"We have characters surviving snake bites without any consequences, or people hanging from kites," she said, adding, "I even saw a scene where a girl spins, falls on a curtain, and somehow it wraps around her neck."

Her words obviously laid bare the absurdity she sees on-screen, and her frustration with content that stretches reality beyond recognition. However, she mentioned that she still does TV because of the paycheck. 

Now, is Indian Television Regressive?

Well, the word “regressive” comes up often when discussing Indian daily soaps. Many shows rely on exaggerated family drama, impossible scenarios, and stereotyped portrayals of women.

Characters escape deadly accidents, survive the most improbable events, or find themselves in endless melodrama. These stories may entertain some, but they also reinforce outdated norms. Viewers (most of whom are elderly women) can start accepting the impossible as reality.

Women often appear trapped in distressing situations, only to be rescued at the last moment. Such portrayals confine female characters to passive roles, narrowing the scope of storytelling and blocking more progressive narratives.

While some shows do try to break these patterns, it goes without saying that regressive content still dominates on Indian television. The focus on TRPs and sensationalism keeps old tropes alive, leaving few spaces for meaningful change.

Shweta Tiwari’s Television Journey

Shweta Tiwari’s career began with a splash. As Prerna in Kasautii Zindagii Kay, she captured hearts (quite many hearts, actually) and became a household name. But she didn’t stop at daily soaps, and ventured into reality TV, winning Bigg Boss Season 4. This victory reinforced her versatility and broadened her appeal.

Shweta Tiwari reveals she once shot 72 HOURS NONSTOP for Kasautii Zindagii Kay! 😱🎬 #ThrowbackMagic

“I used to get a 45 - day cheque,” she shares—proof that TV stars grind

harder than we know! 💪📺#ShwetaTiwari #KasautiiZindagiiKay #TVLegends #BehindTheScenes pic.twitter.com/95sfjBjWXK

— Bollywood Masti (@bollymastivilla) July 25, 2025

(Credit: Bollywood Masti)

Over the years, she explored comedy, drama, and other genres, adapting to television’s evolving landscape. Despite challenges (such as competition from newcomers), she remains a prominent and relevant figure. And today, she is also a social media superstar.

Shweta, however, reminds viewers and creators alike that television can do more. It can challenge the norms and portray reality without sacrificing imagination. 

And yes, happy birthday. Many many happy returns of the day!