There are times you miss a beat or two: Zaira Wasim

Dangal (2016) actor Zaira Wasim who played the role of the young Geeta Phogat in the blockbuster film, is all set to don a new hat for her second film, Secret Superstar. The-two-film-old-actor has managed to acquire two huge skills through the journey of these films.

Her first film, Dangal won her the National Award, making her the youngest National Award recipient. For her debut film, Zaira had worked on learning wrestling for two years and now for Secret Superstar, she has slipped into the character of a Baroda-based youngster called Insia, who dreams of becoming a singer despite stiff opposition from her conservative father.

Actor Aamir Khan who is producing the film, was clear that they won’t cheat at all. So Zaira had to learn to play the guitar and look convincing as a singer as that was a condition he had put for her. For an entire year, Zaira had to learn how to play the guitar, and to perfect the act of singing on screen. Only after her audition, did she get the nod from Aamir, following which she started the shoot for the film.

The 16-year-old Zaira says, “I had to make sure it did not look like I was acting. There are times you might miss a beat or two. Ensuring that I don’t miss it was difficult,” she says. But was it easier than learning to wrestle? “Both are equally difficult. I was scared when I first learnt how to wrestle. I wasn’t sure I could pull it off — it would not have been possible without my coach Kripa sir (Kripa Shankar Bishnoi).”

Aamir says, “We were clear from beginning that we won’t cheat in the film. Insia, the character of Zaira is a singer and had to play the character correctly. I am so impressed with her performance. As an actor, whenever we play a musical instrument, we often try to play it accurately. She (Zaira) has gone a step further and has spent a lot of time with Meghna Mishra (singer) because she wanted to understand how to sing. They used to also rehearse together.”

I had to make sure it did not look like I was acting. There are times you might miss a beat or two. ZAIRA WASIM, ACTOR