After standing out with her performance in her not-so-hit Bollywood debut, ‘Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas’, Sahher Bambba is on a roll with back-to-back OTT shows. The actress is also all set to feature in B Praak’s music video with Emraan Hashmi. ETimes caught up with the actress, who in an exclusive interview, opened up about her non-film background, working with the Deols, her love for fitness and dance and more. Excerpts…
After your debut movie 'Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas', you went on to do two OTT shows. For both you have been garnering rave reviews. So how has the experience been so far?
It has been amazing. As actors, we crave for certain validation. When we work, we hope the audiences like what we do and that’s exactly what happened with the OTT shows that I did. It has motivated me to do more such good work and keep surprising the audience with new scripts and roles.
You worked with the Deols for your first ever project. How intimidated were you? How was your overall experience?
It was a wonderful experience. I couldn’t have asked for a better debut. Even though the film didn’t do well at the box-office, I got to learn a lot from the film. The atmosphere on the sets was really like a family. It was very comfortable. Sunny sir really took care of me. I have never gone to any acting school, never been on a film set before. So whatever I got to learn about films and acting is through that film. And Sunny sir is not at all intimidating. He is a very warm and loving person.
You come from a non-film background. How did your parents react to your decision to join the film?
That was always the plan and so I had moved to Mumbai for college so that I can do my studies and simultaneously go for auditions. My parents were very supportive right from the start, especially my mother. When we started shooting, we had to come to Mumbai. I didn’t have a house here so she would come and stay with me and help me with other things.
What are the kinds of characters you are looking forward to doing?
Such new and fresh content is being churned out in films and on OTT. I really want to be a part of some great stories, irrespective of what role I am playing. If I get roles that challenge and excite me as an actor, then I am going right ahead with it.
You are also one of the fitness enthusiasts we have in the industry. How important do you think fitness is, especially in today's time?
I think it is very important, not just to lose weight or to look a certain way but for what it does to you mentally. You feel so good after a good work out and that is exactly what brings me to my yoga mat every day. It keeps you going. It increases your stamina.
You are also a Kathak dancer. How has this art helped you as an actor?
Kathak is a dance form, which if you learn, you can master any other dance form. If anybody wants to start learning dance professionally, I think this is something they should start with. I come from Shimla and I was in a boarding school so the only dance form they allowed was semi-classical and Indian. We were not allowed to dance on Bollywood songs. So by default I was into classical dancing from a very young age. I have grown up knowing only that.
We have some really good dancer-actors in the industry. Is there anyone you admire or look up to?
I think I have to say Madhuri Dixit ji. She and her expressions are so beautiful. I can just watch her dance videos on loop.
You are quite active on social media. How do you deal with negativity and trolls?
Thankfully, I have not had to deal with so many trolls and negativity so far. But I am aware of that. However, I believe that over the years, I have really become thick-skinned. I have seen failure with my first film. I have become a strong person and I don’t think I even want to deal with these people.
How was the experience of watching yourself on the big screen?
It was surreal. That was something I had dreamt of all my life. However, after watching myself for a couple of minutes on the screen, I started becoming critical of my work because I am anyway critical about myself in general. I am still like that to date.
What is the best and worst part of being a celebrity?
I don’t know about the disadvantages yet but I think that when you decide to be a part of this field, it is something you have to sign up for. Being scrutinized, the negativity, trolls – everything. You have to mentally prepare yourself. I feel that my love and passion for acting overpowers everything else. I would just want to focus on that.
Who is your celebrity crush?
There are too many to name. I love Alia Bhatt’s performances. I recently liked Kriti Sanon’s performance in ‘Mimi’. There is too much to learn from everybody.
