Adah Sharma has steadily carved a niche for herself in the entertainment industry by embracing roles that defy convention. From her Bollywood debut with the horror film 1920 (2008), to headlining the action-packed Commando (2013-2019) franchise, and stirring conversations nationwide with the controversial yet commercially triumphant The Kerala Story (2023) — her filmography speaks volumes. On OTT platforms too, she continues to surprise audiences, with standout performances in series like Sunflower 2(ZEE5) and Reeta Sanyal (Jio Hotstar). In an exclusive conversation with The Movie Mail, Adah shares that for her, the thrill lies in the unexpected; she thrives on portraying characters that come with their own set of challenges — a truth she acknowledges with an effortless smile.
“Maybe that is the kind of stories I am looking to do, stories that are unusual, have some quirks, and give me some challenges. In my recent release, Tumko Meri Kasam, I am playing a loving wife in the film. I have done so many different characters but never played such a simple character before; it might just look very conventional, that of a wife’s character that many actors did, but for me, it is new. I never played a loving, simple wife. So, that was a challenge for me,” she told TMM.
Adah speaks fondly of Indira, her character in Tumko Meri Kasam, a Vikram Bhatt directorial, and how deeply she connected with her. “The character Indira is so efficient. Even in times of distress, she shows up, and her efficiency is so impressive,” she shared, revealing how much she has imbibed from her on-screen persona.
Also Read – Exclusive | Vikram Bhatt : Popcorn love stories or masala romances aren’t for me
As an actor constantly seeking growth, Adah remains open to new challenges. When asked what’s next on her journey as an artist, she had a clear perspective. “Well, firstly, I want to work with people that I really like because as an actor, we invest so much time emotionally with the people we work with. The work should be fun; every day, I should feel excited to go on the set and work with these people because the result is not in my hands, but the process is. That apart, I do not really have any specific bucket list.”
“When I did The Kerala Story (2023) and it gained momentum, people started asking me what’s next. When I did Bastar (ZEE5), it was a great challenge for me as an actor to play that character. When the web series Sunflower 2 came to me, I was a little scandalized by the things my character says in the show or the stuff she does, but what a fun character it was for me to play!” she adds.
Also Read – Exclusive | Vidya Malavade: Some trolls called me ‘Buddhi Barbie’ once and I laughed it off!
With fame comes scrutiny, and Adah Sharma is no stranger to the same. She acknowledges the weight of responsibility that accompanies public life but is also candid about the limitations or control an actor has over how their work is perceived. “These days, no matter what you do, there will be people who comment on it either way; they might call it propaganda (referring to The Kerala Story), but when I was reading the script, I felt connected with the character I played in the film. How the audience interpreted it was different,” she explains.
Adah pauses thoughtfully before adding, “Look, I understand that there is a responsibility as a famous person, and I do enjoy that. But how people interpret a character, a film, a show, its agenda – is different! Can I control that? No. I do look at the overall messaging of the film when I am choosing a project. I might disagree with the actions of the character I am playing. For example, in Sunflower 2, I totally disagree with what the character is doing, but I liked the story of the show.” In an era where public perception often blurs with personal accountability, Adah’s sense of clarity on where she draws the line serves as a thoughtful reminder of the delicate balance actors must try to achieve between art and audience.
