On the road to success

Actress Shama Sikander shot to fame with her role Pooja in the hit TV series 'Yeh Meri Life Hai' (2003-2005). She is also known for the ground-breaking short film 'Sexaholic' and the web series 'Maaya: Slave of Her Desires'. Shama latest film 'Bypass Road' has just hit the screens. Directed by Naman Nitin Mukesh, the has Adah Sharma and Neil Nitin Mukesh in lead roles.

Excerpts from an interview:

Tell us about 'Bypass Road'?

It's a thriller murder mystery. It's full of thrill, suspense and a bit of horror.

How was it working with Neil?

It was a great experience. I got to learn a lot from him. I will keep that forever with me whatever I have learned in the process.

What is your take on the online platform for shows?

I think it's fantastic that people have got another platform where they can show their talent on and it was much needed because the films have their likings and they take those people and make their products. The TV has a different setup, but the web has given a platform to all those creative people. Today if you don't have those budgets, you can be a YouTuber and become super famous. I think the online platforms are doing great. Look at the variety of content they have. It's more real, impactful and it is what today audience prefers, so it was much needed in that sense.

Why did you choose web over movies?

I never chose web over movies. I just chose content that I liked whether it's on the web or movies. My main motto is to feel excited to work and as an actor, I get a lot to do. Perhaps why you feel I chose the web is because I am also a very real audience. I like to watch things that are closer to life and drama and the web gives you that. I like to believe that I am an intelligent audience and hence I want to be part of projects that I would like to watch as an audience. So, it's not like that I chose web over movies.

Which role is close to your heart?

The closest to my heart is a film that's not yet released. I just finished shooting for it and when it will come you would know why it is the closest to my heart. Other than that, my role Pooja Mehta from 'Yeh Meri Life Hai' is very close to my heart because that's how I was at that time. I think these two are most close to my heart. They also depict simplicity and complexity. They depict human emotions as we are so layered and complex species and somehow, I can portray them with honesty on the screen that's all that I wanted for my self-satisfaction.

What are your future projects?

I plan to do some really good cinema with a message and loads of fun; where I get to enjoy what I do because honestly, I love acting and off late with life experiences I want to do something that I enjoy doing and don't bother about anything else. My life has taught me to do my work and be grateful for it and rest everything else is in god's hand or the existence hand. There is another cool web series that I have signed which is about to begin very soon. I am looking forward to it to go on floors and my other film to complete its post-production and get it out in the market. These are the two projects I am very excited about it.