Playing a heroine may be a concern for others, but never for me, says Sayani

Every budding actor comes to tinsel town with the dream of becoming a hero or a heroine. Sayani Gupta’s journey in showbiz, however, has been different. In her eight years in Bollywood so far, she has played prominent parts in films but not the quintessential heroine.

“It has never been a concern for me. I wanted to become an actor and that’s what I’ve chased. Playing a heroine may be a concern for others but it was never a concern for me. And it will never be,” says Sayani.

With a filmography that boasts of projects such as Margarita With A Straw, Parched

(2015), Jolly LLB 2 (2017) and Article 15 (2019), Sayani feels that her ability to choose such diverse issues comes from the fact that she is an “outsider”. She explains, “My views are different. I’m not driven by the things such as heroine, hero and commerce. It varies. I choose depending on the kind of work I’m getting. The past two years have been amazing. I’m doing interesting projects and having fun with the different roles I’m getting to play.”

Talking about the casting process in Bollywood, Sayani feels that there is indeed a pattern. “They’re only hiring people because those names are working for some reason, and it’s okay. I think there’s enough work for everybody. But yes, I’d want to see an industry which gives more value and worth to people who are more talented. This is a different ball game altogether, quite different and a very difficult one to play,” she says.

My views are different. I’m not driven by the things such as heroine, hero, and commerce. I choose depending on the kind of work I’m getting.

SAYANI GUPTA

ACTOR

PHOTO: RAAJESSH KASHYAP/HT