Mirza: Heart and soul

by ASJAD NAZIR

VERSATILE star Shireen Mirza has mixed up winning performances in TV dramas like the massively popular serial Yeh Hai Mohabbatein with film roles in India and internationally.

The talented Indian actress is looking forward to taking on more challenges and broadening her acting horizons further.

Eastern Eye caught up with Shireen Mirza to discuss her journey so far, acting and dream leading man.

What first connected you to acting?

I was an introverted child and when I did my first play in front of an audience of hundreds, I just knew that this is what I want to do.

Which of your characters have you most enjoyed playing?

I absolutely loved playing a cop in the movie called Love Training opposite Rajpal Yadav. It was fun to be around him and the team.

Which would you say has been your most challenging role?

The most challenging was my role in Not Today (Hollywood movie) where I was playing a person who is involved in child trafficking. It took me a while to get into the negative shade of my character, but thanks to my director Jon Van Dyke and co-actor Cody Longo who helped me get into it.

What is the secret to surviving the extremely challenging Indian TV industry with the super long hours and intense schedules?

If you love something you never get tired of it. Yes, it is at times stressful, but the key is to stay sane and work harder to reach your goal.

What is the secret of a good performance?

Give your whole soul to it. Get into the shoes of the character and start living that person as if it’s you, and it will certainly come out natural.

What can we expect next from you?

It will be surely something that you have never seen me doing before.

Who would you love to work with?

Salman Khan is my crush from forever or Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson (The Rock), as I think we can complement each other personality-wise very well.

What do you enjoy watching and have you binge-watched anything recently?

The last series I watched was Emily In Paris, which I absolutely loved. I usually prefer a light show or comedy things to watch and also something that doesn’t have too many seasons because I have a habit of finishing it in one go if I’m hooked to it.

What inspires you?

I believe that inspiration comes from within and not from anyone or anything. My inspiration is to do bigger and better work, and keep my audience entertained.

Why do you love being an actress?

(Laughs) To be honest, I love the kind of love and the attention I get from the audience. I mean, who wouldn’t like it, right? If I get a chance to showcase my talent and entertain people, I will do it for my whole life.