From Kathak dancer to acclaimed actress in South Indian and Bollywood cinema, Shriya Saran’s story is one of passion, resilience, and unexpected turns. Discover her journey, memorable roles, and personal anecdotes in this exclusive cover story.
Acting isn’t a conventional career choice in our society. What made you gravitate towards this profession? Did you always plan on becoming a performer, or did this craft come to you naturally?
I have always wanted to be a Kathak dancer, so acting didn’t happen to me by chance. Today, acting is something that people take very seriously, and it is a very serious profession. 20 years ago, people, my parents were still concerned about what if, what if, what if, but I’m glad that industry is a beautiful place and I’ve only met happy people and exciting people, and I’ve only learned a lot in my life
You have had a very successful acting career in the South India industry. Can you tell our readers how you bagged your first role?
In the music video, they wanted someone who could dance. That was shot in Banaras. That led me to my first screen test in my Telugu film. And that was it just led one thing to another. But it was, I think, one of the most beautiful things that happened. And sometimes you should let chance take over and let life decide.
You were born in Haridwar, studied in Delhi, and worked in Telugu as well as Hindi cinema; coming from so many beautiful cities, your food palate must be eclectic. Can you tell us about your favourite dishes?
I love Indian food, mostly South Indian Food. I love Dosa, idly. Instead, you like idli. I also do like chaat. Instead, I love Italian food. But I’m very, very Indian in my life. If given a chance, I’ll only eat Indian food. It’s a proper dish, right? It has lentils, Protein, and Proper Carbohydrates if you eat it with lovely chutney, like tomato chutney and Peanut chutney. It becomes a Full Meal with a whole Protein dish.
How does living in a city that never sleeps feel like? Is there any fun or interesting anecdotes of your time in Mumbai that you would like to share with our readers?
Mumbai is giving me everything. I love Mumbai city. To live in. Haridwar is where my heart lives. My heart is in Haridwar. Many things I’ve been through are memories I’ve created when I lived there. And I make friends.
You have worked with the great Rajnikanth sir in Sivaji: The Boss. Can you tell us about your experience working with a super duper star and any work ethics you learned from him?
Working with Rajneesh Sir, I learn everything from him. He’s a humble man. He believes in Simplicity. He believes in Doing Things from the heart. He’s a very hardworking man, and the best thing about him is that he treats everyone with the same love. He gives everyone much respect. He also believes in hard work and Simplicity.
You and your husband are the most adorable couple in Bollywood. Would you give the audience a peek at your love story?
We met accidentally. So, I went to the Maldives and booked the wrong tickets. I go to the Maldives, and a boat is leaving in the evening. I got on that boat and met Andrei there; my trip was in April, but I was in the Maldives in March. I booked the wrong tickets, took the wrong flight, and got on a plane a month earlier. End of the situation nowhere to go. I had the most beautiful dives and met Andrei on that boat.
Navigating a career in society as a woman can be difficult sometimes. Have you faced any problematic instances during your career after getting married and embracing motherhood?
I mean, you will still worried about I mean today doesn’t matter if you. Are you married or not married?
The Drishyam series has been a huge hit; how was your working experience with Ajay sir and Tabu ma’am?
Ajay sir speaks with his eyes. He’s a beautiful, beautiful actor and Tabu ma’am, she’s just a fantastic actress. Every time I work with them, I learn a lot from them. And I think somewhere, they keep working on their craft. It’s just that they are like wine. They get better with, you know, with passing film and every film is just more beautiful and they’re fantastic.
Everything has two sides: how has fame changed your life, and is there a darker side to all the glitz and glamour of Bollywood that normal people are unaware of?
It depends on how you deal with it. Everything has a dark side, but I only have to include the positive side (and I’m thrilled to be an actor. And I enjoy the process. Yes, it has its problems and issues, but I can only tell about the happy side and happy things.
So, like that, being part of people’s lives is the most beautiful thing, and I’m very grateful for that.
Everything has two sides: how has fame changed your life, and is there a darker side to all the glitz and glamour of Bollywood that normal people are unaware of?
It depends on how you deal with it. Everything has a dark side, but I only have to include the positive side (and I’m thrilled to be an actor. And I enjoy the process. Yes, it has its problems and issues, but I can only tell about the happy side and happy things.
So, like that, being part of people’s lives is the most beautiful thing, and I’m very grateful for that.
At what point in your life did you feel famous or felt known by the people? Is there any particular and cute fan movement you would like to reminisce about?
I don’t know. I felt special when I did Santosham, or was it Shivaji? I think Shivaji, yeah. I felt special, and it was a beautiful moment.
I m grateful. I’m very grateful today that I’m a girl next door, a very simple-looking girl, but God has given me so many opportunities and a beautiful life and a beautiful daughter, and I’m pleased that people love my work because, honestly, it’s because of people that I am here where I am. And I’m very grateful to every person. I’m a person who’s seen my films and made me part of their life, and I think there’s nothing more beautiful than, you know when I meet people, they’re like, oh, we’ve seen your film at that point of time or this point of time, and it’s a memory. So, like that, being part of people’s lives is the most beautiful thing, and I’m very grateful for that.
Your recent project, ‘Showtime’ opposite Emraan Hashmi, was released on an OTT platform. How did it feel to work with him after 17 years?
Emraan is a special co-actor; he is very hardworking, down-to-earth, and Simple. His wife is gorgeous, And I am happy to work with him again.