Don’t fit her in a box, because that’s not where Indira Tiwari wants to be. After playing wife to Nawazuddin Siddiqui in Serious Men (2020) and Alia Bhatt’s confidant in Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022), the actor doesn’t wish to be pigeonholed into roles because of her appearance like a tribal woman, or X’s wife or something similar. That is why taking up Nila Madhab Panda’s Spying Stars, helmed by Sri Lankan filmmaker Vimukthi Jayasundara was a no-brainer, she says.

“I enjoyed the collaboration, the notes Vimukthi sir gave, the way he asked what I was thinking... It was a beautiful exchange. The space and the director’s vision allowed me to come out of the box. He chose me differently — he saw Anandi [her character]. That choice gave me growth and confidence; it made me want to explore,” shares Tiwari.