Breaking Barriers

Shikha Talsania’s self-assurance can put every body shamer to shame.

- Anjali Rawat

Making her debut in the year 2009 with Wake Up Sid, Shikha Talsania has been consistently working in theatre and Bollywood. But, since Veere Di Wedding, she has burst onto the acting and film scene. In this candid conversation, Shikha talks about her overwhelming experience in Bollywood, her relationship with her body, and her future ventures. Edited excerpts from the interview:

Your father, Tiku Talsania is a well-known actor who has worked in films and television. Did he inspire you to become an actor?

When you are a child, you always want to have the profession your parents have. It took a lot of existential anxiety to figure out that acting was what I was passionate about and really enjoyed. I did have the question in my mind about whether I was doing this just because that’s the environment I had grown up in. But, yes, seeing my parents come alive when on stage attracted me to this industry.

Veere Di Wedding was your first major film. How did you land the role?

The reason behind me landing the role is Rhea Kapoor, producer of the film. She was looking for someone for Meera’s part, and Karan Boolani suggested me to be tested for that part. I was called for the screen test and that’s how it happened. Previously, the three of us worked on Wake Up Sid together, which was my first film.