Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Sohum Shah: I'm a greedy actor and want to dabble in everything

‘I forayed into production by chance'

Sohum Shah: I'm a greedy actor and want to dabble in everything

VERSATILE actor Sohum Shah has had great moments in his career, including award-winning film masterpieces Ship of Theseus (2013) and Tumbbad (2018), which he produced and played a lead role in.

The multi-talented star has showed off his impressive acting in a range of films, along with acclaimed web series like Maharani. Someone who concentrates on quality over quantity, this has given him an impressive body of work and makes him stand out from other actors.


Eastern Eye caught up with one of India’s finest talents to discuss his journey, impact of films he produced, future hopes, inspirations, and something not many people know about him.

How do you reflect on your acting journey?

It’s honestly been a roller-coaster ride and quite frankly I wouldn’t have it any other way. It was peppered with struggle and that’s what made every small win even more special. I came from a small town and grew up on Bollywood films, so never imagined I’d be working in them and having people appreciate my work. I definitely feel a huge sense of gratitude, but there’s miles and miles to go.

Which of your characters has been closest to your heart?

Vinayak from Tumbbad and Bheema from Maharani will be special roles to me because I grew up watching films that were larger than life. Having received the opportunity to play these big characters, with impactful dialogues and gripping stories felt like a major stepping stone in my career.

Which character challenged you most?

Bheema Bharti, my character in the Maharani series was quite challenging both physically and mentally. Whether it was my look, having to change my physique for the part, the dialect, accent, or dialogue delivery, it all took a lot of work. During the prep for the second season, I got other projects, but didn’t take them up because I was dedicated to Bheema. I didn’t want to disturb the headspace or the look that my character required and Bheema’s character is layered.

How much did the success of Ship Of Theseus and Tumbbad mean to you?

The success of Ship of Theseus and Tumbbad meant a great deal. As an artist, it’s like validation when the audience appreciates your work. These films gave me those moments where I felt seen, and people recognised the effort and passion behind my craft.

Did you expect these films to make such a big impact?

As an artist I try to not to judge a film or pre-empt its success or failure. I don’t overthink it. That’s the only way I can give it my all. That’s an actor’s responsibility to deliver the best performance and leave the rest in the hands of the audience. I did these films because I believed in their potential, and they excited the artist in me. I’m happy that they went on to make the impact they did.

Will you be producing more films, as you are clearly very good at it?

I forayed into production by chance. It was never part of my plans. At that point of time nobody was making Ship of Theseus and Tummbad, so I went ahead and produced them myself. Since it isn’t my main profession, I’m very selective about my choices as a producer. If I want to produce a film, the project must have something special about it.

What is the plan going forward?

The plan is to do everything I possibly can – do all kinds of roles and explore all genres. I’m a greedy and impatient actor and want to dabble in everything from romance, comedy, horror, thriller, action, and everything else, you name it.

But do you have a dream role?

I have many dream roles. Like I mentioned it’s hard for a greedy and hungry actor like me to

just have one.

Who would you love to work with?

I hope to have the opportunity to work with as many people as I possibly can, because there is always a new takeaway from every project. I would love to work with everyone from SS Rajamouli to Sanjay Leela Bhansali. I am also a huge Shah Rukh Khan fan, so would love to work with him in a film.

What do you enjoy watching as an audience?

Honestly there isn’t a particular genre but what really excites me is a great story – A gripping narrative, a film that has something to say, is a film I’d enjoy watching.

Tell us something about you that not many people know?

An interesting anecdote that not many people know and is testimony to my love for cinema, would be that there was a time in my life when I would travel 30-40 kms to catch a glimpse of Manoj Bajpayee shooting at Sri Ganganagar, my native place.

What inspires you?

Great performances, great personalities and great stories inspire me. If you look around, you’d find inspiration at every corner and I’m someone who is always looking.

Finally, why do you love being an actor?

I love being an actor because it allows me to have many lives, live different characters, look at things from different perspectives and allows me to enjoy who I am to the fullest. Every day is challenging, as it is exciting. And I love the exhilaration it brings.

More For You

Sidhu Moosewala

Sidhu Moosewala’s legacy continues with his first ever digital concert tour

Instagram/sidhu_moosewala

Sidhu Moosewala world tour to feature digital stage comeback three years after his death

Highlights:

  • Sidhu Moosewala’s official Instagram page announced a 2026 world tour titled Signed to God.
  • The Punjabi singer-rapper was killed in 2022 in Punjab at age 28.
  • The tour will use digital tech, possibly holograms, to bring Moosewala ‘back’ on stage.
  • No official dates or venues announced yet; fan reaction online has been a mix of awe and confusion.

On Tuesday, the late Punjabi singer-rapper’s official Instagram handle dropped a teaser for a 2026 world tour called Signed to God. The announcement stunned fans and sparked immediate speculation over how a concert by a deceased artist is even possible. While the organisers have kept technical details under wraps, reports suggest cutting-edge tech like 3D holograms or augmented reality will be used to recreate Moosewala’s presence on stage.

 sidhu moosewala  Sidhu Moosewala, Indian Singer (Photo: @sidhu_moosewala)  www.easterneye.biz  

Keep ReadingShow less
Mark Gatiss’s 'Bookish'

Bookish brings postwar London to life with gripping weekly mysteries

Instagram/uandalibi

Mark Gatiss’s 'Bookish' is being hailed as the ''next best thing to Sherlock'' — Here’s why viewers are hooked

Highlights:

  • Mark Gatiss stars as Gabriel Book, a crime-solving bookshop owner in post-war London in Bookish.
  • The detective drama premiered on U&Alibi on 16 July 2025, with two episodes airing weekly.
  • Critics praise the series for its smart plotting, rich period detail, and modern queer representation.
  • A second season has already been confirmed, with filming set to begin this summer.

Mark Gatiss, best known for co-creating Sherlock, is back with another brainy sleuth, and this time, it’s personal. Bookish, a 1940s-set detective drama written by and starring Gatiss, follows the eccentric Gabriel Book, a former intelligence agent turned antiquarian bookseller who helps the police crack cases in bombed-out postwar London. The six-part series, which debuted this week on U&Alibi, has already garnered praise for its clever plots, layered characters, and strong sense of time and place, with some calling it “the next best thing to Sherlock.”

 Mark Gatiss\u2019s 'Bookish' Mark Gatiss brings queer detective drama Bookish to life as fans call it the new SherlockInstagram/uandalibi

Keep ReadingShow less
Kareena Kapoor

Kareena continues to break stereotypes with bold film choices at age 44

Will Kareena Kapoor rewrite Bollywood norms by romancing a 20-year-younger actor?

Highlights:

  • Kareena Kapoor Khan to star as a ghost in an upcoming genre-bending film
  • The 44-year-old actress will reportedly be paired with an actor in his early 20s
  • Script is penned by Hussain Dalal, known for Brahmāstra
  • The film explores a quirky new take on the ghost genre and is currently unannounced

Kareena Kapoor Khan is reportedly all set to headline a new supernatural film, but with an unconventional twist. The Bollywood star, who turned 44 this year, will be seen playing a ghost in the upcoming project, which is also said to feature a much younger male lead, an actor in his early 20s. If confirmed, this pairing will mark a rare age-reversal in Bollywood casting, where older male actors have long romanced much younger actresses on screen.

According to reports, the film is described as a genre-defying and humorous take on ghost stories. The story is said to be written by Hussain Dalal, known for co-writing Brahmāstra and frequently collaborating with director Ayan Mukerji. While Kareena’s role as a female ghost is being celebrated as bold and experimental, her reported romantic pairing with a 20-something actor is what has caught everyone’s attention.

Keep ReadingShow less
Aashir Wajahat

The young artist behind the runaway hit Sadqay

Instagram/ aashirwajahat

Aashir Wajahat reflects on viral hit ‘Sadqay’, new music and acting ambitions

Highlights

  • Singer-actor behind viral hit Sadqay reflects on his breakout year
  • New track Dheema Dheema hits 170K views in just two weeks
  • Opens up about juggling acting and songwriting, and his 2025 plans
  • Stresses importance of enjoying the process and learning from early mistakes
  • Draws inspiration from iconic Pakistani music and Punjabi roots

From viral sensation to balancing dual careers

The young artist behind the runaway hit Sadqay, which has now clocked over 44 million views, says the song’s success took him completely by surprise. “We had no idea it would go global,” he shared in a candid conversation, adding that while he always believed in the track, the scale of its reception was “overwhelming”.

What followed was a year of fast-moving highs, with growing recognition both within his home country and internationally. “You work towards something, and when it happens, you almost don’t know how to react.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Tomorrowland stage destroyed in massive fire

Emergency services respond quickly to contain the blaze at the Boom festival site

X Screengrab/Complex Music

Tomorrowland stage destroyed in massive fire as crew witness years of work lost in minutes

Highlights:

• A massive fire destroyed the Tomorrowland main stage in Boom, Belgium, just two days before the festival’s opening.
• No injuries were reported; around 1,000 workers were evacuated safely from the site.
• Organisers confirmed that the festival and DreamVille campsite will proceed as planned.
• The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but initial reports suggest it may have been accidental.

Tomorrowland opens gates despite stage fire as organisers stay committed to festival

Keep ReadingShow less