Adah sharma | She has worked in Hindi, Telugu and Tamil films. She won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut nomination for 1920 back in 2008. She was recently seen in Commando 3 which now premiers on Zee Cinema. SHALINI SAKSENA chats up the actress about her journey and upcoming project

How did your acting journey begin?

I had just completed Class X and at a function Asha Parekh had come as a chief guest. Her manager was there and got talking and suddenly said I wanted to be an actor. At the function I had a Kathak dance and was told that pans would be made for a film keeping in mind me and my performance. I graduated in dance but never went to college. I auditioned and got my first film.

Was acting never on the radar then?

I was not the kind of person who was spotted at a coffee shop. I hung around those enough but never got noticed. I had to get a portfolio done and started giving it out. I got rejected a lot. Then came 1920. I went to meet the team who said I didn’t fit the look but still gave the audition which they liked and hence came on board.

What is the best and worst part of being an actor?

The best part is that I get to play all these characters. The worst is probably the uncertainty — when one would get the first movie. One can’t make any mistakes since you are not from the industry and you get only one chance. I knew that I had only one shot with my first project and had to give a performance as if it was not my first film.

You have been in the industry for over a decade now. How has it treated you till now?

I would say I have been in the industry for a century. I have been there since 1920 (laughs). I made a hashtag on social media — #100yearsofadahsharma. The first thing about this journey, I have not aged one bit. Second, it has been an awesome so far. I am trying to figure it out as I move along. I have been lucky that I met people who trust my talent. I was fortunate that my first film was a horror because nobody doubted my acting potential.

You have done varied roles and genres. Has it been tough to switch?

Actually, the easiest part is to switch from one character to another. The tough part is how to get the next project. Probably, pray. In between projects, hone skills and be ready even if the roles far and between. One must be ready when opportunity comes knocking. In 1920, there were 30 action scenes — climbing up the wall and levitating. When Commando came, I was ready. I had even been training on my accent before I got the role.

How did you come to do Bhavana Reddy?

I had just completed a Telugu film and came back to Mumbai to audition for part II for a role of a Haryanvi cop. I got a call after two months and met the team. I love mimicry and as a joke I did an accent. The next day I was called and was told that instead of a Haryanvi cop, they would go with a Telugu cop since Bollywood has not done it before. They rewrote the lines and Bhavana Reddy was born.

You were there in part II as well. How did that happen?

I am fortunate that as a woman I have been repeated in a franchise. It has now become my franchise. The series is incomplete without Bhavana Reddy. It is also interesting that a woman has got to do as much action as the male lead and not be just a damsel in distress. It is also great that I get to bring in humour to the role.

It is an action movie. Indians are not too keen on watching them. Were there any apprehensions?

There is a huge audience for horror and action. A good film is a good film. Genre doesn’t matter. Action has many takers. It is just that most action films have sub-standard action. But it was different with the series.

You are also doing Man to Man. What is it about?

I am excited about the role. It is your usual rom-com where a man meets a woman, falls in love with her and marries her. Only then he comes to know that the woman he married is actually a man. I am the man. It is a lot of fun and people will enjoy it.

We find that newer films are finding their way into TV. How does that work for actors like yourself?

It is nice that films are now being released legally instead of piracy. Given that we are under a lockdown now, many more people will get to watch it and enjoy it sitting at home and being safe.