SHABIHA NUR KHATOON, OP
Actress Soundarya Sharma has romped into the Hindi film industry with her debut movie Ranchi Diaries, Anupam Kher’s first production
“I don’t think there could have been anything better than this,” says actress Soundarya Sharma who has romped into the entertainment world with Anupam Kher’s first production, Ranchi Diaries. In an intimate interaction with Orissa POST, the actress talks about her journey in tinseltown.
Ranchi Diaries is a dream come true for Soundarya because she believes not many get the chance to play the central character in their debut movie. The movie is about the story of Gudiya, played by Soundarya, and her friends, Taaha Shah and Himansh, who are out to make it big in a small town, Ranchi, and hit upon the idea of robbing a bank.
Speaking about her experience as how she bagged the role, the actress said: “I came to Mumbai in December 2015 and I gave auditions for another film. Satwik noticed me during the auditions. One fine day, he called me and asked me to give the script a casual reading. I read the script and loved it because it was funny, a slice-of-life kind of film. He called for the auditions but he didn’t let me know that it was an audition. It continued for three months and I gave almost five to six auditions but till he didn’t say that I had been finalised. That’s how everything happened and I got my ticket to Bollywood.”
In order to prove that she was a good actor, the newbie would remember everyone’s dialogues and prompt them whenever necessary, as she did with Anupam Kher and Himansh. She said: “Yes, I remember everyone’s dialogues because I read the script for three months. It was quite natural. During the shooting I helped Anupam sir and Himansh.”
Soundarya said she feels blessed as things were coming her way. Kangana Ranaut has praised Soundarya for portraying with grace a local fashion queen and the naturalness of her expressions in the song ‘Fashion Queen’.
“Kangana is an inspiration to me and many others like my character Gudiya, who is called the local Shakira in the film,” Soundarya said.
Born and brought up in Delhi, Soundarya has completed her Bachelor’s degree in dentistry, but initially her parents were not happy with her idea of making a career in acting. That was the reason why she thought of running away from home to fulfil her passion. But, as time passed, and after Soundarya bagged the character of Gudiya in Ranchi Diaries, her parents were happy to see their daughter on the big screen, sharing screen space with actors like Anupam Kher in her debut movie.
“Anupam Kher is a gem of a person; he is like my godfather,” the actress said. “Initially, I was really nervous because he has a strong personality and also because he is such a senior and respected actor in the industry. He is a great human being and I really feel blessed to work with him.”
Soundarya, a dental student-turned-actor, praised Orissa for its culture and amazing beauty. “This is my visit to the state and I hope I would get time to visit the state more often. I have visited Puri and the experience was amazing as the environment is so calm and soothing. Apart from its culture and scenic beauty, one thing I loved was Oriya food – dalma and chatu bhaja, but I am yet to taste dahi vada,” she said.
The one-movie-old actress says she doesn’t believe in the concept of dieting. “Personally, I never endorse dieting because I eat a lot but I do go to the gym and do yoga to keep myself fit. So, my fitness mantra is ‘Eat right and be healthy’,” the actress signed off.