Mahira Sharma: I always choose projects that please the artist in me

ACTRESS MAHIRA SHARMA REFLECTS ON LOCKDOWN LESSONS AND THE ART OF BEING FEARLESS

ACTRESS Mahira Sharma delivered a star making turn on India’s biggest reality TV show Bigg Boss 13 and has since seen her popularity skyrocket.

She has starred in hit music videos, which have clocked up hundreds of millions of views on YouTube, including one that has passed 1.2 billion and is looking forward to taking on some serious acting challenges. She has over three million Instagram followers and that fan base is growing at a rapid rate.

Eastern Eye caught up with Mahira Sharma to talk about working during lockdown, the best advice she has ever received, future plans and the art of being fearless.

How was the experience of working through lockdown?

As you know, it’s not easy to work through the lockdown, as there are a lot of limitations. When work calls, well, you got to do what you got to do.

What is the biggest life lesson lockdown has taught you?

Lockdown has taught me to value the small things in life and also how important it is to stay strong mentally and physically to live life to the fullest. It also is important to not stop in life, no matter what. One should keep going regardless of situations life throws at them. It’s not about what resources you have, it’s about what you can do best with the resources you have.

You have acted in a whole host of music videos in the past year, which did you enjoy doing the most?

I enjoyed doing them all. That’s what I love the most about doing music videos. It’s a beautiful experience, where you get to travel to scenic places and move to music that you enjoy. The same reflects in the beauty of each music video. I can’t stress enough how important it is to enjoy what you do, as the audience can always gauge it through the screen.

What is the plan going forward? 

My plan is to keep delivering great performances, whether it’s through my music videos or shows. I always choose projects that please the artist in me, and I’ll continue doing that.

Is finding a great role proving to be the biggest challenge?

Most times it’s not about finding a great role, it’s about finding a good role and making it great.

What would be your dream role?

I don't want to limit myself by sticking to only one particular type of role. I would love to experience all kinds of roles, from that of a fairy to a witch, and everything in between (laughs)! I would love to do roles that would require me to use my acting skills to the fullest.

Who would you love to work with?

I’d love to work with Suriya, the south actor. I grew up watching him, and he is impeccable. It is on my wishlist to work with Suriya, and it has been so since the time I entered the industry. I hope I am able to check this off my list in the near future.

You found great success after participating in Bigg Boss 13. Would you like to go on another reality TV show?

Right now, I don’t think I would like to go for another reality show, because I have already been a part of India’s biggest reality show. So, right now, it is a no. But in the future, maybe.

What advice would you give those going into the Bigg Boss house?

To be brave, and to stand up for what you are and believe in, whether one is in the Bigg Boss house, or outside of it.

If you could master something new what would it be?

I would like to master the art of communicating. Communication is such a beautiful medium of expression; it’s a form of art. Mastering the art of communication means being able to not just effectively and clearly, but beautifully express what you think or feel. I think that’s a very important quality for an actor to have. Because as public figures, we should be responsible and careful about what we say owing to the positional influence.

What is the best advice you have been given? 

The best advice I’ve been given was to ‘keep moving’. No matter what hiccups, or pitfalls you face, keep moving. A lot of times, we humans also get stuck with the same thought patterns, usually leading to the same old problems. It’s important to recognise these patterns, break them, and keep building new patterns of thoughts that contribute to self-growth and development.

What advice would you give?

The best piece of advice I can give to people is to love themselves. I know it is something that everyone says, but the real meaning of self-love, in my opinion, remains unexplored. A lot of people also confuse self-love with narcissism, which is sad. Self-love simply means having the best intentions for yourself, consciously and subconsciously. If one dives deeper, one can even see some parts of themselves pitted against their own best intentions; to decide to fix that means self-love.

Would you say that you are fearless?

I would say that life is a balance between being fearless and being fearful. Why fearful? Well, because sometimes, fear is good. For instance, if you’re afraid or nervous about how you’d deliver a performance, you’ll prepare even better. And then comes fearlessness, when you know you’ve prepared your best, and leave the rest upon God. So, that’s how a healthy combination of them both is required in life. Fear, but not to the extent that it weakens your talent; be fearless, not to the extent that you become careless.