Shriyam Bhagnani is an up-and-coming Bollywood actor who was recently seen portraying a significant role in Vivek Soni-directed Aap Jaisa Koi on Netflix. In an exclusive interview with The Movie Mail, she talks about how the film is important to bring change in society and also shares her experience working with incredible actors like R. Madhavan and Ayesha Raza.
After starting her acting career with character roles in Baaghi 2 (2018), Batti Gul Meter Chalu (2018), and a key role in Hotstar Specials City of Dreams directed by Nagesh Kuknoor, Shriyam is all set to star in a lead role in an upcoming sports biopic, Sumo Didi, which is based on the life of India’s first female sumo wrestler, Hetal Dave. Speaking about her next movie, she mentions how honoured she feels after being a part of it.
Edited excerpts:
Q. Aap Jaisa Koi had such a great response from the viewers and raised some of the most important questions for the society we live in today. How important do you think this film is for our generation? Do you think this kind of film can bring a positive change?
A. It’s a project that has been made with a lot of heart and soul. As for the topic, I think it is essential to discuss various issues. Patriarchy is the elephant in the room, and I’ll address it. Patriarchy is like air. It’s everywhere, even when it’s not visible. So, how do you tackle that? How do you talk about it? Being loud or aggressive may not bring change, but reflecting the realities of society certainly can. They say art is an imitation of life. That’s what the movie has tried to do. It has attempted to imitate life and depict the circumstances people face in their everyday lives. It’s important, and that’s why it is connecting with people.
Q. Your character makes a few crucial remarks and supports her mother when needed in the film. But it also had a turning point when she got selected for a job abroad. Do you think that part of your journey should have been explored more in the story?
A. Technically, my part on paper was much smaller. Initially, as per the script, it was just a very, very small role. I believe it got extended later by the makers, and I liked the way it came out on screen. It turned out to be an important part, and what I’m saying during a few crucial sequences. I’m quite new to films and don’t understand screen-to-story or text-to-screen very well as of now. I’m just happy that I got to play such a part that leaves you more intrigued as to what this character could have been.
Q. Tell us about the experience of working with such a huge cast, and someone like R. Madhavan, who has been a heartthrob of the country.
A. It’s wonderful working with Madhavan Sir, and there is no other way to talk about it. There’s no other answer to it because genuinely, he’s one of those people who don’t carry their stardom on their sleeve with them around everywhere. He’s very open and full of humility. So working with him has been easy, for lack of a better word. Also, it has been great working with the entire cast as well. The people from Bombay (Mumbai), such as Ayesha (Raza) ma’am, Manish (Chaudhary) sir, who played my parents, Ritu ma’am and (Sanjeev) Wilson sir, who played my uncle and aunt, Namit (Das) sir, as well as the Kolkata gang, including Anubha ma’am, and Saheb (Chatterjee) sir and others, they were all so much fun to be with.
Apart from me, every single person, including Fatima, had at least 20 years of experience on set. So all of them were at complete ease while working and always encouraged me during the shots. There was a lot of warmth on set. I spoke to our director, Vivek Soni, just after watching the movie, and told him that I don’t even remember doing so much work because I only have memories of us laughing and having a good time together. So it has genuinely been one of those projects where work has never felt like work because of the people in it.
Q. Shriyam, even having strong ties in the industry, we’ve seen you playing mostly character roles in the films. Would you say that it was intentional, and you wanted to take the path that any other aspiring actor would take to enter Bollywood?
A. It’s not intentional, but the reality. It’s not that I plan on doing a smaller role instead of a bigger one. It’s just the paths that I’ve gotten. Along with those character roles, I have also played a much bigger part in Nagesh Kukunoor’s City of Dreams (Jio Hotstar). I’ve had a variety of roles, per se. Be it an insider or an outsider, I’ve always left it to people to decide. I believe I have been fortunate as an actor to get roles that have things to say, no matter the screen time.
Q. Producer-actor Jackky Bhagnani is your cousin brother, and your uncle, Vashu Bhagnani, is also a producer in the film industry. What’s a piece of advice from them that you’ve held close?
A. Initially, when I started, I didn’t even tell anyone in my extended family, including my uncle and cousin brother, that I wanted to pursue this profession. It was almost like a trial for me. It was one of those ‘if it happens, it happens’ situations. So, I just started giving auditions casually. At the same time, I began my acting training, and within a month of acting school, I had my first job. So I never really needed to discuss things with anyone for advice or guidance. Because I think it was very destined that things just landed up in front of me so early. However, they do appreciate and praise my work whenever they get the time or whenever something comes out.
Q. Was there ever a moment you considered not choosing acting, despite your background?
A. Absolutely not! I was born and brought up in Kolkata. Over there as well, acting was very destined for me. During my schooling, I went for Balaji (Production) auditions and worked in theatres. And most of the time, I’ve been directly approached for such opportunities. So, like I said, I got to work in the industry early on, and it’s always been destined for me.
Q. You mentioned that apart from films and web series, you’ve also worked in theatre. How different is it to work in both art mediums?
A. Of course, it’s very different. The theatre that I have done is not the traditional one. I have done mime theatre, which is without words. A bit of both, the projection of words and body language is required. And I was working with special children in this medium. So, children with autism or Down syndrome used to come to these classes as a way of learning how to express themselves. The classes that I used to take were attended by Dolly Basu (a prominent Bengali actress) in Kolkata.
At that time, I did not know that screen acting would be a certain way or that there would be a difference. It’s much later during my training in Barry John acting studios, I realised that there are a lot of technicalities involved in the camera. For example, if you’re using a 50 mm camera and walk at a very normal speed in front of it, the camera will not be able to capture you properly. So, you will have to walk a little slowly. So these are the technicalities of the camera that I got to know much later. It amazes me to see actors now who know how to catch the light and navigate the frame, which helps them perform better. So it’s been a learning curve.
Q. You are all set to star in Sumo Didi, which is your first film in a leading role. How did you land the film, and what is it about?
A. Sumo Didi is about our country’s first and only female sumo wrestler, Hetal Dave. The plot of the film is inspired by her life, which the world needs to see. It’s a very different kind of achievement, one that we’ve not seen before on screen. It’s my first film as a lead. Taran (Bajaj) Sir has been the casting director for both Sumo Didi and Aap Jaisa Koi. I don’t know how he found me. But before Aap Jaisa Koi, I got the call for Sumo Didi from his team. I went to the audition, and they made me run and work out. The next day, I got a scene after clearing the workout audition. After that, I met the producers and they told me they liked me for the part. Finally, after several other tests, meetings and reading sessions, I bagged the film. However, even after being told that I have been finalised, I was so elated that I couldn’t believe it.
Q. How much rigorous training did you have to go through for Sumo Didi, and have you had major injuries while filming or preparing for the movie?
A. I went through a training of nine months for this, in a couple of sports, including sumo. The shoot for the whole film was not linear. It was like a pattern of three months of training and then shooting, and repeat. There are different stages of her life that you see in the film. Thankfully, my team for this film made sure that I went through the training without injuries whatsoever. The doctors were present on the set, and even if I were hurt, I would be cured by the next day. I don’t know how, but that used to happen. I was trained by Sahil Rashid and Hetal (Dave) Ma’am herself. They were always there on all shoot days.
Q. When is it releasing in India?
A. There’s no confirmed date so far. However, it’s been a magical journey for me. It’s such a huge honour that Jio Studios and a national award-winning production house like Fresh Lime Films are backing me as a newcomer and taking a chance with me. They have sent the film to many international festivals, and it has performed quite well. Honestly, I do not doubt that whenever it comes, it will be at the right time. So, I’m just waiting for the entire world to watch the film. I know it’s going to happen at the most destined time.
Q. It has already premiered at the 35th Palm Springs International Film Festival and the Tokyo International Film Festival. Did you ever think that your first film in the lead role would go to such heights? How exciting and inspiring is it for you?
A. Honestly, I didn’t think I would land a lead role so quickly in my life. Everything that has happened with the film so far has just been a wonder. On the other hand, Nisha’s character (Aap Jaisa Koi) on paper was so small, and I did not expect anyone to notice it. But the viewers liked it. I don’t know how these things are happening, but I do count my blessings every day. Along with the Tokyo International Film Festival, Sumo Didi also reached the New York Indian Film Festival in 2024. Also, we were among the best of the top 30 films at the Palm Springs International Film Festival. We got an extra show there because we sold out. It’s all because of the story of Hetal ma’am, who she is and what she has represented the country. When you watch the film, you’ll realise it’s a huge achievement. It’s a kind of achievement that you’ve not seen before. It’s a sport that you’ve not known existed in your country before. So it’s going to be an interesting watch.
