Shruti Sharma, renowned for her roles in TV shows like Gathbandhan and Namak Issk Ka, recently made waves with her performance in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s series Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar. In an interview with ETimes TV, Shruti, who plays Saima in Heeramandi, shared her experiences, challenges, and preparation for the role.
Shruti Sharma has always been selective about the projects she takes on, focusing on quality over quantity. She emphasized that she doesn’t view life in terms of milestones but stays ready for good opportunities. Shruti approaches each project with immense dedication, giving her all, including her latest venture in Heeramandi, where she invested 200% effort.
Reflecting on the industry’s perception, Shruti said, “If you are an actor, the medium doesn’t matter, but in our industry, it matters somewhere. People categorize you as a television artist. But trust me, television teaches you a lot. The challenge I faced was convincing people that good acting transcends mediums.” She stressed that genuine acting is what audiences crave, regardless of whether it’s on TV or in films.
Shruti’s journey wasn’t without familial challenges. She revealed that her brother has been her backbone, fully supporting her decision to move to Mumbai and pursue her acting dreams. Her father, initially reserved about her move due to safety concerns and her lack of experience living independently, gave her an ultimatum of two years to prove herself in the industry.
Instead of directly convincing her father, Shruti focused on her work while her brother and mother supported her decision. She wrote and directed a play in Lucknow, showcasing her talents. Her father agreed to her plan with the condition that if she didn’t find success within two years, she would have to return and consider marriage. Shruti accepted the terms and embarked on her journey with determination, fulfilling her father’s dream of her becoming a successful actor.
For her role as Saima in Heeramandi, Shruti immersed herself in classical music training for six months to perfect the singing talent required for the character. She practiced diligently to ensure her dialogues were delivered with the right pitch, tempo, and tone. Additionally, she refined her diction by reading aloud daily to match the speech style of the era portrayed in the series.
Shruti attributed her proficiency in Urdu diction to her upbringing in Lucknow, where Hindi is the major language. Her family’s command over Hindi, especially her mother’s expertise, contributed to her linguistic abilities. Despite limited exposure to Urdu, her natural fluency in Hindi allowed her to fully embrace Saima’s character without apprehension.
Shruti Sharma began her entertainment career as a contestant on the reality show India’s Next Superstars. She then transitioned to acting, debuting in the TV series Gathbandhan. Her notable works include Namak Issk Ka, Yeh Jaadu Hai Jinn Ka, and Nazar.
Meanwhile, Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar explores themes of revenge, power dynamics, love, and liberation. The series features a stellar cast, including Shekhar Suman, Fardeen Khan, Jason Shah, and Indresh Malik. Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Heeramandi is available for streaming on Netflix.
Shruti Sharma’s journey from television to prestigious projects like Heeramandi showcases her versatility and determination to break barriers in the entertainment industry.
