The actress talks about her struggle in Bollywood despite having filmi connections, and why it’s important to not let failure or success affect you
Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; August 26, 2020)

Actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s demise in June has brought the focus back on many issues, including the pressures of showbiz and how it could lead to mental health issues. While dizzying highs and frustrating lows are a part and parcel of the entertainment industry, it is important to know how to handle both well, says Saiyami Kher, who has also been through a tough phase in showbiz.

The actress had a grand launch in Bollywood with Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s Mirzya (2016), opposite Harshvardhan Kapoor. However, when the film didn’t perform well at the box office, her plans came crashing down.

Recalling those tough times, Saiyami tells BT, “I expected a lot from Mirzya. In fact, even before its release, I was signed on for another film. But, I was replaced by someone else when Mirzya didn’t work. There were a lot of projects in my kitty, but they all fell through. Well, I guess that’s how the industry functions. Here, commerce speaks the maximum.”

She goes on to explain that though it was a difficult and disappointing phase, she didn’t let it break her spirit. “I have been fortunate to have someone like (actor) Adil Hussain in my life. He’s my acting coach and guide. He kept reminding me why I was in showbiz — it’s not for enjoying the fame and money, but because I like acting. That’s something that kept me going. If your purpose is strong enough, you can survive the failure that comes your way. Apart from this, my love for sports and my friends, who are not from the industry, also kept me going,” she shares.

Though she is actor Tanve Azmi’s niece and granddaughter of yesteryear actress Usha Kiran, Saiyami doesn’t like being called an industry kid. She says, “My parents wanted to keep me away from the glitz and glare of showbiz. And so, I was raised in the lap of nature at our home in Nashik. It is only recently that I moved to Mumbai. I think they made the right decision by bringing me up in a small town. It helped me lead a normal life with an amazing circle of friends, who are not from the industry.”