In an era dominated by endless scrolling, notifications, and short-form content, actor Shweta Tripathi is quietly encouraging people to slow down. Her latest initiative has nothing to do with film promotions or social media trends. Instead, it revolves around something timeless—a book.
Over the past several months, Tripathi has been leaving carefully selected books in public places across Mumbai, hoping complete strangers will discover them, read them, and then pass them along to someone else. Every book contains a handwritten note inviting the finder to continue the journey by leaving it in another public location after finishing it.
The initiative transforms every book into a travelling story, creating unexpected connections between readers who may never meet.
A Simple Idea With a Lasting Impact
Speaking about the inspiration behind the project, Shweta explained that modern life is filled with constant opinions and digital distractions, making reading more valuable than ever.
Unlike social media, where people are continuously exposed to what others think, buy, eat, or experience, books provide uninterrupted personal engagement. Reading encourages imagination, reflection, empathy, and deeper understanding of different perspectives.
Her goal is simple: encourage more people to reconnect with books in a meaningful way.
Inspired by a Global Reading Movement
The idea took shape after Tripathi learned about a similar campaign by actor Emma Watson, who left books in public places around London as part of a reading movement.
Instead of copying the concept directly, Tripathi adapted it to Mumbai.
Whether travelling in an Uber, sitting in a café, waiting at an airport, or visiting an office, she quietly leaves a book behind with a handwritten message asking the next reader to enjoy it and continue its journey.
For Tripathi, every book becomes more than just reading material—it becomes a shared experience connecting strangers through stories.
Reading Wasn’t Always Her Passion
Interestingly, Tripathi admits she wasn’t always an enthusiastic reader.
Growing up in a family that valued books, she often found the habit frustrating. It wasn’t until her teenage years that curiosity led her to pick up a book voluntarily.
That decision changed everything.
She soon became captivated by the adventures of Nancy Drew, followed by Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code, before immersing herself in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series.
She remembers finishing Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and feeling disappointed because there wasn’t another book immediately waiting for her.
That emotional connection, she says, revealed how books become lifelong companions rather than temporary entertainment.
Books Continue to Shape Her Personal and Professional Life
Today, reading remains a daily ritual for the actor.
She often reads two or three books simultaneously, depending on her mood and work schedule.
Tripathi believes the emotional world of each book influences her mindset. While reading Phil Knight’s memoir Shoe Dog, she felt inspired by entrepreneurial determination. During the filming of Mirzapur, she was reading The Forest of Enchantments, drawing strength from the character of Sita throughout the production.
For her, books do more than entertain—they influence perspective, creativity, and emotional resilience.
Family Encouragement Built a Lifelong Habit
Tripathi credits her parents, especially her father, for encouraging consistent reading.
She recalls that throughout her childhood he would regularly ask two questions:
- Did you exercise today?
- Which book are you reading?
Although those questions once felt repetitive, she now considers them among the most meaningful expressions of care.
The experience reinforced the importance of both physical well-being and intellectual growth.
Books Currently Travelling Across Mumbai
As part of her initiative, Tripathi has already released several books into the city, including:
- Cock
- Kim Ji-young, Born 1982
- Women Who Read Are Dangerous
- Independence
Each book carries a handwritten invitation encouraging readers to pass it on after completing it.
Shweta Tripathi’s Reading Recommendations
Tripathi also recommends several books that have left a lasting impression on her:
- Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez
- Wonder by R.J. Palacio
- My Friends by Fredrik Backman
- Powerful by Nirupama Subramanian
- Scripting Bollywood by Anubha Yadav
- The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
These titles cover history, fiction, social issues, cinema, and personal growth, reflecting her diverse reading interests.
Why This Initiative Matters
Reading advocacy campaigns continue to gain importance as publishers, educators, and literacy organizations work to encourage deeper engagement with books among younger audiences.
Unlike traditional book clubs, Tripathi’s initiative removes barriers by placing books directly into public spaces, allowing anyone to participate regardless of background or membership.
The movement also highlights the growing popularity of community-driven reading experiences that rely on trust and shared participation rather than formal organization.
Looking Ahead
As Mumbai’s hidden books continue to find new readers, the initiative demonstrates how small acts can spark meaningful cultural conversations.
For many, discovering an unexpected book may simply brighten the day. For others, it could introduce a story, an idea, or an author that leaves a lasting impression.
By encouraging strangers to pass books from one reader to another, Shweta Tripathi is creating a chain of shared experiences that extends well beyond the final page.
