After making a striking impact with her haunting performance in 1920 and balancing it with mainstream films like Hasee Toh Phasee and Commando 2 & 3, Adah Sharma has carved a career that refuses to fit a template. At a time when box office numbers dominate conversations, she is more interested in the emotional afterlife of her performances than the Friday figures they open to.

Reflecting on how her idea of success has evolved, the actress says, “People don’t come up to you and say, ‘Hi, your film made 375 crores, I’m emotionally moved.’ They say, ‘I cried in that scene when you were crying’ or ‘I was so scared of you.’ That, to me, is the biggest compliment. When audiences remember characters across such different spaces, you realise they are not tracking your Friday collections; they are carrying your performances with them. Box office is influenced by many factors such as timing, marketing, trends and even the weather. As an actor, you can only control how honest you are in a scene. That said, it does feel wonderful when films perform well commercially, it simply means more people get to experience what I have created.”

Speaking about her choices across genres, Adah who has acted in films like 1920, Hasee Toh Phasee, Commando 2 & 3, and The Kerala Story and will be next seen in Governor: The Silent Saviour alongside Manoj Bajpayee, says, “I have explored very different spaces, from an innocent student to a bold, almost sleazy woman who might be a murderer, as well as projects that are entirely fictional, where logic takes a backseat and imagination takes over. However, when I am performing, none of it feels fake. I believe I am the character, whether it is a murderer, a cop or a soldier, because for them, it is real. Even fiction works if the emotion connects.”

Talking about how she measures the impact of a role, she says, “I don’t sit with a notebook thinking, ‘This role will change society, this one will win awards, this one will trend on Instagram.’ The moment you plan impact, it starts feeling fake, and the audience can sense that. For me, it begins with whether the role changes me even a little. If a character makes me uncomfortable or pushes me into a space I haven’t explored before, that is already impacting me first. For the audience, I leave it open. I don’t want to control how they feel. It is interesting when different people connect with different scenes in their own way.”

Adah Sharma made her debut with the supernatural hit 1920, so scares and spooks are hardly new to her. This Halloween, the actor opens up about costumes, candy, chaos, and her delightfully eccentric take on the festival of fright.

“Halloween and me go way back, more than sau saal ago, from 1920 to 2025,” laughs Adah. “For me, it isn’t a day, it’s a lifestyle. Halloween is when the world finally catches up to my vibe. Scaring people is my cardio! It’s also a great way to learn how to express fear as an actor. I use it as an excuse to scare people all year round,” she grins, before adding a bizarre twist: “Once, I saw a mannequin in a mall turn his head and speak. He told me cockroaches will take over the world soon. No one believes me, but it’s true, I was freaked out!”

If she were to host a Bollywood-style Halloween bash, Adah says her theme would be terrifyingly simple. “All of us actors would have to come without makeup, not the ‘no-makeup look’, but actually barefaced. Everyone would have to style themselves. That would be scary enough!”

When asked about real-life spooky moments on set, she quips, “I work in Bollywood, I experience unexplainable things every day! The spookiest was when my role got mysteriously chopped off from a film. No disclaimer, no warning. I told myself maybe I was hauntingly good. But it wasn’t even a ghost film! They made me temporarily invisible, that’s ghosting on another level.”

If Adah were to reinvent a horror classic, she already has a script ready. “I’d play a possessed Paro in Devdas. She’d team up with Chandramukhi and make all the alcohol in the world disappear. Devdas and all the drunk men would finally be held accountable, and we’d both turn into invisible witches travelling the world,” she chuckles.

Her favourite horror moment from Hindi cinema is equally unexpected. “The staircase scene from Hum Aapke Hain Koun! I’m still traumatized when I see my aunts walking down steps in sarees. That movie scarred me, I literally get nightmares about my dear ones tripping on stairs in slow motion.”

Currently, Adah is shooting in Mumbai for, unsurprisingly, another horror film. “I have a feeling that after release, my character will become a favourite Halloween costume,” she teases.

Adah Sharma, who was recently in Delhi for an event, is smitten by the city’s beauty during the festive season. Thrilled about Diwali, the actor shares, “It’s the only time of the year when even the laziest person, me included, suddenly becomes an interior designer, electrician, chef, and part-time pyromaniac — all in one day!”

If that isn’t already relatable enough, Adah, who will be seen in Reeta Sanyal 2, adds, “I have promised my mother I will clean my cupboard. It’s a promise I’ve made for the past three New Years’ and two Diwalis’. Let’s see if I don’t procrastinate this year.”

Adah’s schedule is much busier now than it was during her childhood, but she insists that nothing has changed. “I still do the same things I used to. I act in movies now, but I love acting, so that feels like leisure time. I live with my family, so whenever I’m not shooting, I’m spending time with them. And the food made at home is the best ever!” she says.

Talking about her Delhi visit, Adah shares that she loves the festivities of the Capital but also rues that she can’t do one thing she always plans to. “I’ve heard you can feed squirrels at Lodhi Garden. But somehow I still haven’t gone yet. I hope the next time, I get to visit,” she ends.

While there is so much talk about the perks of being from a film family, Adah Sharma has her own take on it. “Had I belonged to a film family, they would have waited for that perfect film to launch me,” she says, and adds with a laugh, “My film family wouldn’t let me do a horror movie. Who starts their career looking possessed on screen with black teeth? I didn’t have the opportunity to start my career with a usual romantic movie that probably would have happened if I had the DNA of a famous person. I started with 1920 and I feel fortunate for that. The audience has accepted me whenever I try something crazy and maybe that’s why filmmakers also have the guts to cast me in different roles.”

Adah is now gearing up to portray a devi in her upcoming project. For her, the key to success lies in making every character believable and distinct. She did action in the Commando franchise and then was seen in The Kerala Story.

“While watching The Kerala Story, people didn’t say, ‘Oh, she knows how to do action, why isn’t she beating the goons?’ People also appreciated me as the bar dancer, Rosie, in Sunflower Season 2, and as an IPS officer in Bastar - The Naxal Story. I’m lucky that my career has unfolded the way it has.”

You can call them by many names – French fries, finger chips, chips, or simply fries. However, the feeling of ultimate comfort biting into one of these crispy, golden-brown batons of potato is something else. We caught Adah Sharma at Carter Road SOCIAL enjoying French fries on a rainy July morning, wearing a T-shirt that said, ‘Fries before guys’.

She said, “I also read this quote, ‘Exercise? I thought you said ‘Extra fries’, which was funny, so that comes to mind. Even though I prefer to indulge in this tasty snack with my eyes more than my taste buds, on French Fry Day today, I guess it’s okay to cheat! By the way, air-fried is my favourite type and I also like them with potato skin on if I have a choice.”

Indulge more with your eyes than with your taste buds! How does that work? We asked Adah. “Well, I close my eyes and munch on raw carrots, imagining them to be greasy fries dripping with oil,” she laughed and replied.

Speaking of her earliest memories associated with French fries, she recounted, “My mom used to cut up apple pieces and pass them off as French fries, and I would relish them. It is also one of the reasons I have trust issues with the world (laughs).”

Now that she is old enough to see through such tricks, she prefers to take matters into her own hands. She said, “At home, we sautè them in a pan with minimal oil, and if I’m making them myself, I end up eating half of them while they are still being cooked.”

Her unique relationship with French fries was evident as she shared how she drew inspiration from this culinary delight to pen a short story. “It’s a tale of a world where potatoes are on the verge of extinction, and the human population is on the rise. So, an enterprising girl begins making French fries from human fingers, and it becomes an instant hit, leading to rocketing demand,” she said.

The actress said she would also be game to experiment and prepare a gourmet dish featuring French fries. “I would garnish them with pav bhaji masala or pani puri masala. And for dessert, I would dip them in gulab jamun ka sugary syrup. If this isn’t already a thing, I’m claiming copyright on it right now,” she announced, dipping another air-fried fry into mayo!

Apart from her movie outings, Adah Sharma has been in the news over the past few months for renting the Bandra apartment where actor Sushant Singh Rajput resided before his tragic death in June 2020. The lease agreement was signed in October 2023 and the actress moved in with her mother and grandmother earlier this year.

A source, who deals with properties informed us, “Following Sushant’s demise, it had become impossible to find tenants; two clients showed some interest initially, but then decided against renting it. The house had been locked up for nearly three years. Adah has now rented it for five years.”

The actress, who has so far remained silent about renting the flat, finally opened up to Bombay Times. In an exclusive chat with us, she said, “I moved into the flat (Mont Blanc Apartments, Bandra) four months ago, but I was busy promoting my projects, including ‘Bastar’ and the OTT release of ‘The Kerala Story’. After that, I spent some time at the elephant sanctuary in Mathura. It’s only recently that I got some time off and have finally settled in.”

She added, “I have lived in the same house at Pali Hill (Bandra) all my life and this is the first time I’ve moved out of there. I’m very sensitive to vibes, and this place gives me positive ones. Our homes in Kerala and Mumbai have been surrounded by trees and we used to feed birds and squirrels. So, I wanted a home with a view and ample space to feed birds.”

When we asked Adah, if she too, like other potential tenants, was unsure about renting this place, she replied, “I always follow my intuition, not other people’s opinions. Many people had tried to scare me away from starting my career with a horror movie (‘1920’), but I did it and scared them instead (smiles). They dissuaded me from being a part of ‘The Kerala Story’, too, and the kind of numbers the film made is for all to see.”

Talking about the ‘makeover’ she has done to the apartment; we hear Adah has painted the entire place white. The lower floor has been converted into a mandir, while one room on the top floor is now a music room, and another a dance studio. She has also transformed the terrace into a garden by bringing all her plants from her previous home. Adah and her mother did not have much furniture in their old house, so this one, too, has minimal furniture. They sleep and eat on the floor.

Her baby bump is fake’ and ‘Pregnant women don’t walk like that, is she even pregnant?’ — these are among the many hard-hearted comments that were posted on social media after actor Deepika Padukone stepped out to vote on May 20. Social media is breeding ground for trolling vis-à-vis celebs. While Sonakshi Sinha quit X in 2020 and wrote on Insta: “I’ve cut the direct source of insult and abuse in my life”, Aamir Khan, too, deleted all his personal social media accounts in 2021 to avoid all the negativity. With buzz around the comments for mum-to-be Padukone, we wonder if social media has gone overboard, again.

Actor Alia Bhatt liked a journalist’s Insta post that was addressed to the trolls: “... you have no right to comment on any aspect of her life”. Actor Aahana S Kumra, who endorsed the post in the comment, was trolled for standing up for herself recently, when a fan kept his hand around her waist while getting clicked with her.

Adah Sharma faced threats for her films The Kerala Story (2023) and Bastar: The Naxal Story. She says, “Once you are a ‘celeb’, your personal life is open to one and all. The whole world becomes your family and is free to give their opinion.”

Actor Divyanka Tripathi Dahiya was trolled when she posted a video of her practising martial arts. The trolls said she should have a baby instead. She says, “When I’m subjected to trolling, I try to ignore them. But at times, I do speak up. I even filed a complaint in cyber cell once. I feel it’s important to raise a voice so they know that the fight is not going to be that easy.”

Producer Pritish Nandy feels celebs are targets: “When you create an army of trolls who work for political purposes, they post nasty things in their free time.”

On being trolled, actor Zareen Khan says, “People frustrated with their realities find social media as a medium of venting out their frustration, and celebs are easy targets. I have stopped reading such comments.”

Talking about Padukone, Kumra says, “It’s her body! Why are people commenting on it? She didn’t want attention when she stepped out to exercise her constitutional right. When I had raised my voice, I was trolled. People said: ‘Yeh kaun hoti hai bolne wali?’ It’s my body! I didn’t want someone touching me.”

Adah Sharma, who was in Ahmedabad recently, says that she feels “a special connection with the city.” Adah, whose recent releases include the film Bastar: The Naxal Story and the OTT project Sunflower 2, tells us, “A few months back, I shot with Jubin Nautiyal for Raabta, a music video, at a few lovely locations of Ahmedabad’s walled city and I have some very fond memories from the shoot.”

Adah adds, “I was in Vadodara in January for a marathon and it’s always a pleasure to come to Gujarat because the people are so warm. I love Gujarati food and no Ahmedabad trip of mine feels complete till I have undhiyu, which is my favourite. I also love Gujarati dal.”

Adah, who made her Bollywood debut with 1920 in 2008, has completed 15 years in showbiz. Looking back at her journey, Adah says, “I still don’t know too many people in the industry but feel fortunate and grateful that despite being an outsider, big filmmakers have always trusted my talent. Vikram Bhatt could have chosen anyone for 1920, but he loved my audition and offered me the role. In Telugu, I made my debut with Heart Attack, which was directed by an ace filmmaker like Puri Jagannadh. In Kannada, I have done films with big stars like Puneeth Rajkumar. Sunflower 2 gave me the opportunity to work with Vikas Bahl. So, I have no complaints and it has been a fantastic journey. Having just done an OTT project, I can confidently say that good content is watched irrespective of the medium.”

Adah adds, “I am fortunate that I have not been typecast as an actress, which is one of the biggest fears that an actor has. Be it fiction, films based on real life incidents or interesting OTT content, I have always got to do exciting and different types of projects. Even in my upcoming projects, I am getting to do different stuff and I couldn’t have asked for more. I don’t really understand terms like ‘women-centric films’ because for a film to do well, every character has to be etched well. But we are having these discussions probably because there still isn’t enough representation of women in different aspects of filmmaking. But stronger roles are being written for women now.”

The Kerala Story, which became the highest grossing female-led Hindi film, was a big game changer for me. Although I have done successful films like 1920 and Commando 2, this movie became a phenomenon and I don’t think there is any movie buff who doesn’t know about it. Also, after this film, people have become very protective of me on social media and I feel lucky. I don’t pay any attention to the negativity on social media because for every negative comment, there are so many positive comments to counter it! It’s overwhelming. People have the right to watch or not watch a film. I have realised that many people who criticize movies and use terms like ‘propaganda film’ on social media have not seen the movies. So, why should I bother about these comments?

It’s true that I am playing a female superhero in an upcoming international project, but I don’t want to reveal too much about it. I am a little superstitious and don’t like talking about projects too much in advance. I want to do projects in different languages, even if it’s just a music video. I had done a music video in Punjabi with Akhil and a lot of Punjabis loved it.

Producer Vipul Shah and director Sudipto Sen’s The Kerala Story (2023) became a hit at the box office, despite being panned by critics and some sections of the audience. Now, the makers are back with Bastar: The Naxal Story, which sees Adah Sharma play an IPS officer countering the Maoist/Naxal insurgency in Bastar, Chhattisgarh.

Creative director-producer Shah remembers being “shaken to the bone” when Sen brought the story to him, which reportedly focuses on the 2010 Maoist attack in Dantewada that killed 76 Central Reserve Police Force [CRPF] jawans.

“When you see our CRPF jawans being killed, the Maoists/Naxals resorting to violence to [hinder] any development in the interiors, you wonder, who are these people? There are several intellectuals in the cities giving them cover by saying they are the Robin Hoods of Bastar. How would you react on reading that there was a celebration in the Jawaharlal Nehru University [JNU] after 76 CRPF jawans were killed by the Naxals? One can have differences with a political party or a leader. But when you go against the nation, it’s a problem,” states Shah.

Sen’s knowledge of the Naxal movement goes back to his childhood. He shares, “My siblings were part of this movement, so I saw how it diversified, went south and eventually made Bastar the red sector. I feel the human tragedy remains under-reported due to some media houses and the system supporting this. Vipul ji and I shared the same passion towards this story. It’s our responsibility to convey this to a wider population.”

For Bastar’s leading lady, the role of an IPS officer is a drastic shift from her portrayal of a survivor of religious conversion in The Kerala Story. Sen praises Sharma for prepping extensively for her part. 

“Adah went to Chhattisgarh, met the IPS officers leading the anti-Naxal operations, like the Cobra Force. She accompanied them into the jungles to see how they prepare and combat. In the Bastar trailer, you will notice that hers is not a glamorous part. A lot depends on the character of the person playing the role. Adah is ready to work doubly hard, the result is for everyone to see.”

In the months of November-December, when Mumbai is drowned in festive and New Year cheer, nature lovers in the city have one more reason to celebrate – the annual arrival of thousands of Flamingos! Actress Adah Sharma is among those who eagerly await them every year. This time around, Bombay Times accompanied her to the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary, to witness and also capture their mesmerising beauty.

“Flamboyance!”, exclaimed Adah, as she gazed with rapture at the majestic, winged beauties. “A gathering of flamingos is called flamboyance,” she shared delightedly, pointing towards the pink crescent formed by a huge flock.

An ardent nature lover, Adah rearranged her schedule to prioritise the visit, and also turned photographer for us, capturing the breathtaking sights with enthusiastic clicks. Apart from flamingos, we also spotted seagulls and a multitude of black kites and crabs in the mangroves. For the actress, the visit has a larger purpose – to promote awareness about wildlife conservation.

She explained, “The public idolizes actors and public figures for their sartorial statements, lifestyle choices, and opinions. I hope to inspire people to save our biodiversity and wildlife through more such visits. Many people have told me that they adopted stray dogs after seeing me play with them; others have started using cloth bags. I want to encourage everyone to embrace a cruelty-free approach in their fashion, food, and overall lifestyle by showcasing my real-life choices.”

So, how would she sum up her trip to the flamingo sanctuary? “These birds are incredibly beautiful, and such sojourns make you realize the abundant beauty in nature. The experience was genuinely exciting. The excitement I feel when I see a bird or an animal is the same as many people feel when they spot their favourite actor. Be it watching the flamingos, navigating the spikey roots of the mangroves, or whistling to the birds…every moment was magical,” she answered, adding, “Spending time with nature is what I do full time; in my leisure time, I do movies (smiles). I have three releases this month, and yet I visited here without my phone.”

On our way back, the actress took charge of driving the boat. Thrilled about the experience, she said, “I chose acting as a profession. It doesn’t get more adventurous than that, but I am glad I drove that boat back home.”

Every year, tens of thousands of Greater and Lesser Flamingos migrate to parts of Mumbai and Thane from neighbouring states like Gujarat and Rajasthan, and also countries like Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, and Israel.

For actor Adah Sharma, being true to herself has been her mantra for surviving in the industry. Be it ‘looking too Indian’ or ‘having thick eyebrows’, she has learnt how to rise above such statements and celebrate her individuality.

“When I started off, people tried to make me a version of someone successful. I guess they do that to be helpful but it’s wrong,” explains the 31-year-old, who made her debut in 2008 with the film 1920.

Tuning out the outside noise is what helped Sharma own her truth. In a world where actors often seek cosmetic procedures, Sharma likes to keep it real. “I don’t think I have the guts to go under the knife. A wisdom tooth removal itself can get me stressed and I get fever and an upset stomach thinking about it. But, I guess to each their own,” she quips.

On rejection, the Hasee Toh Phasee (2014) actor believes that “if someone wants to reject you, they will find a reason to”. “I’ve been rejected many times. The reasons they give to reject you are also sometimes bizarre. But then I got cast in 1920 and played Liza, who was not an Indian girl, so it’s a testament to that,” she tells us.

While the actor is no stranger to having her looks scrutinized on social media, she knows that changing oneself based on the opinions of others is futile.

“I’m okay with changing my eyebrows for a role that demands it. In The Kerala Story (2023), I played a Malayali girl so I could keep the baby hair on my forehead and leave my thick eyebrows as it is. My next film needs me to have unkempt eyebrows, so now I brush them outwards. However, thinking that you’ll be cast in films by changing it in real life because it will look like everyone else’s is silly. And I was that silly person for sometime,” she admits.

Her take on fashion? Having fun while staying comfy. “For personal celebrations, I prefer dressing up in comfortable clothes. Mostly, I steal my mum’s clothes. But if it’s a public event, then I am okay with leaving my comfort zone and have fun with it. I believe fashion should always be fun and not an activity where you feel pressured,” Sharma ends.

Bollywood’s love for political stories is not new, but with the upcoming general elections, there is an increase in political dramas. The year started with Pankaj Tripathi starrer Main Atal Hoon, biopic on former Prime Minister, late Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Several other political thrillers, including Article 370, Emergency, Bastar - The Naxal Story, Section 108, The Sabarmati Report, The Delhi Files, are set to hit the screens as filmmakers vie to present intriguing stories on political leaders and key events. But what makes such films click?

The Tashkent Files (2019), The Kashmir Files (2022) and The Vaccine War (2023) filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri says, “A film industry that isn’t making a political film, is dehydrated. Every film should address socio-political issues because it touches our life.” The filmmaker is helming The Delhi Files, which is reportedly based on the 1984 Sikh riots in New Delhi.

In the past, filmmakers like Raj Kapoor, Manoj Kumar, Dev Anand, Guru Dutt, Shyam Benegal, Prakash Jha, Sudhir Mishra, among others brought socio-political commentary in their films. And this genre continues to be a loved by the current crop of filmmakers.

While Yami Gautam Dhar‘s Article 370 is set against the revoking of Article 370 that gave Jammu and Kashmir a special status; Emergency, headlined by Kangana Ranaut, biographical historical drama based on Indian Emergency during former Prime Minister, late Indira Gandhi’s term.

Another reason political thrillers pull in the crowds is the relatability factor. Even if not directly, several movies have subtle political undertones. Pointing at films such as Inquilaab and Aaj Ka MLA (both 1984), Gadar 2 (2023) director Anil Sharma asserts that politics is an integral part of our cinema, “Even today, if you go to the rural areas, people discuss politics sitting under a tree. Political films are a popular sentiment in India, hence it works with the audience.”

Actor Adah Sharma, who spearheaded The Kerala Story (2023), will be seen next in Bastar - The Naxal Story, that traces the Naxal movement in Chattisgarh. The 31-year-old says the final verdict of a film is in the hands of the audience: “In 2023, the biggest movies were Jawaan and Pathaan, which weren’t political thrillers, [but] The Kerala Story was part of the top films. Since time immemorial, movie watchers have embraced all genres equally. Bastar... is a political thriller, if the audience decides it’s well made, it will work.”

With Rang De Basanti (2006), Raajneeti and Rakta Charitra (both, 2010), Aarakshan (2011) and Maharani (2021), we’re seeing an upswing in this genre. The crux remains that important stories are told from every lens and aspect of the political spectrum because that’s what makes the nation think.

Trade expert Atul Mohan says, “The political thrillers releasing this year don’t have an edge as the audience knows that it can only be agenda driven. Poore desh ka mahaul election ka hai, so news mein zaroor reh sakti hain, but it doesn’t necessarily mean they will do well at the box office also.”

Film exhibitor Akshaye Rathi says, “It’s tough to avoid cricket, cinema and politics in our country. People might say a film is right-leaning, like The Kerala Story or The Kashmir Files, but we’ve also had films like Mulk (2018) or Article 15 (2019), which spoke from the other side of the political leaning.”

Producer and film expert Girish Johar says, “Bheed (2023) was released at the perfect time, but didn’t do well as audiences seek both relevance and entertainment. [For political films], it’s topical as everyone is talking about elections.”

Last year, Adah Sharma tasted success with The Kerala Story, which became a box-office hit despite being widely panned by critics and some sections of the audience. Now, she is gearing up to tickle the audience’s funny bone with the second season of Sunflower.

The first edition of the Sunil Grover and Mukul Chadda-led black comedy was centred on a murder that takes place in a residential building called Sunflower. Sharma, the latest addition to the ZEE5 series, plays bar dancer Rosie. The actor says portraying Rosie gave her a chance to be someone far removed from herself.

“Rosie is funny, scary, sarcastic, sweet, evil, all of it put together. Saying such wicked things and doing things that I’d never do in real life is a little intoxicating,” grins Sharma. Understanding Rosie’s psyche was a big part of bringing her to life.

The actor adds, “To bring her uniqueness to life, I watched documentaries about psychopaths, serial killers and persons with multiple personality disorders. In terms of physical training, I had to learn to break walls with a hammer.”

Adah Sharma had a great 2023 with The Kerala Story being one of the most talked about films that got the cash registers ringing at the box office. And the actor is in no mood to slow down. We’ve exclusively learnt that she has joined the cast of the comedy thriller Sunflower for its second season and is “thrilled” to come on board.

“Stepping into this universe was both a privilege and a challenge. I can’t wait for everyone to see my character. She is very creepy and unique. You will love her in one minute and be very afraid of her in the next. She’s unpredictable,” says the 31-year-old, who plays the lead opposite actor Sunil Grover in the Vikas Bahl directorial, which is set to release next month.

Ask what intrigued her about the script and she says, “I have already done drama with The Kerala Story and action with the Commando franchise, so I thought I should try my hand at comedy. I speak in Hindi, Tamil, Marathi and English in the show, and I am hoping the audience will have a lot of fun.”

There are a lot of high expectations riding on sequels and subsequent seasons but Sharma enjoys it: “The audience has been kind to me since my debut. I feel expectation pushes one to not be mediocre. The show’s characters are so layered that it was very exciting for me to unleash my inner crazy.”

Sharma is also grateful for the opportunity to share screen space with a bunch of talented actors. Calling Grover “exceptional at comedy,” she reveals that she has “some hilarious scenes with (actors) Ashish Vidyarthi sir, Ranvir Shorey, Girish Kulkarni, a teddy bear and a sledgehammer.”

Nothing spells grace like a handloom piece, believes Adah Sharma. “I’ve worn handloom on quite a few occasions. India is blessed to have such an eclectic handloom heritage, beautifully steeped in history and culture,” says the actor, as she exclusively shoots with us for National Handloom Day, draped in an exquisite heritage Banarasi saree.

Sharma has always believed in sustainable fashion. “I don’t wear anything that is animal derived. Even in films, I don’t wear leather jackets or belts. I go for vegan alternatives for the sake of our planet. I think it’s criminal to live otherwise. So, naturally, I’m inclined towards handloom because it is a sustainable, eco-conscious choice,” she says.

Actors can play a big role in inspiring people across the world to embrace Indian handloom textiles, she believes. “I genuinely believe in promoting the cause of handloom. It can help defeat fast fashion and foster love for the environment,” she says.

Actor Adah Sharma is overwhelmed that her much-talked about film, The Kerala Story, has completed “more than 50 days of its successful theatrical run”. “It’s a huge celebration not only for the cast and makers but also for the entire industry,” says Sharma.

Given the controversies and accusations of political propaganda that surrounded the movie, rumours have been circulating that major streaming platforms are ‘somewhat hesitant to acquire its rights’.

Dismissing these speculations, Sharma clarifies, “That’s not true! We faced criticism initially, but once people watched the film, it performed exceptionally well at the box office. There are testimonials from the girls on whom the film is based.”

The actor further adds, “Since it has been successful in theatres, a web release will have to be a thoughtful decision. I’m sure OTT par bhi jaldi aa hi jaayegi.”

The Sudipto Sen directorial was produced with a budget of Rs. 40 crores and has amassed over Rs. 300 crores in domestic and overseas collections, solidifying its position as the third-highest-grossing Hindi film of 2023. Ask the 31-year-old how it feels to be a part of a Rs. 300 crore-club film, and she says, “It’s not the controversy that makes a film work, but the content and intention with which it has been made. Audiences are calling it, ‘hamari film’. That’s the high I enjoy.”

As if the brickbats, trolling and bans for her film The Kerala Story weren’t enough, actor Adah Sharma’s contact number has now been leaked by an Instagram page. The actor came to know of it when she started getting bombarded with thousands of calls and messages, many of them open threats.

“I feel just like any other girl would about her number being leaked, and with morphed images. It shows the perverse mentality of the person who would stoop so low and get joy out of doing this. It reminds me of a scene in The Kerala Story where a girl is bullied by publicly publishing her number,” says Sharma, who is now in the process of changing her contact number.

The 31-year-old adds that the person who violated her privacy is culpable of other nefarious activities, too. “The person who leaked it has been up to some other activities for a long time, about which the police have found out. So, having to change my number is a small price to pay to have this person put behind bars,” she says.

No matter what, Sharma stands by the film, which has come in for much criticism and attacks. “The Kerala Story is exposing a terror nexus, their step-by-step plan. So, of course, it will anger those involved,” she says, illustrating her point with the latest instance.

“Here’s an example of a terrorist bullying [me] on a small scale when he doesn’t get his way. I have to say the people in India have really stood up. They were the ones to find the page of this person,” asserts Sharma.

From actor Adah Sharma’s character burning the hijaab to signify her freedom to actor Siddhi Idnani’s character spitting on her father — there are several scenes in The Kerala Story that have been called out for trying to stoke communal passions. But Sharma doesn’t feel that the film is “telling you about Islam”.

She says, “It tells you about people misusing Islam for terrorism to join ISIS (militant group) camps. So, whoever thinks that the movie is about Islam is wrong. The Kerala Story is not about religion, but terrorism, which doesn’t have a religion. I would never bring someone else’s religion down. We all live in a country that shelters all religions and they should all be respected.” The Commando 3 (2019) actor also points out that it depends on how the audience sees the film.

Referring to how the movie shows terrorists going to any lengths to get girls to ISIS camps and be sex slaves for militants, the 31-year-old says, “Their end goal is that. They try to manipulate people’s minds.”

While the Sudipto Sen directorial has been made tax-free in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Haryana, there is a section that is calling out the film for hate-mongering. In fact, the film was banned in West Bengal and faced opposition in Tamil Nadu. Sharma is grateful for the polarising opinions, as it shows that “we live in a country that allows us to express those opinions”.

She adds, “I also think a movie should be allowed to release where people are allowed to watch it and then form an opinion — negative or positive.”

As far as hate-mongering is concerned, Sharma says that the film is indeed about hate: “We are spreading hatred against terrorism. I think terrorism and bullying are the worst things ever. Also, drugging girls and impregnating them. Those who are saying our film is about hatred, yes, I want to spread a lot of hatred against terrorism. And I hope we can all, as society, get together in doing that.”

While actor Adah Sharma is all gung-ho about her upcoming projects, as she has four projects ready to be release, she is quite low-key about her personal life. So much so that not many are aware of who Sharma is seeing. “I’m so secretive that I will make sure nobody else gets to know (who I’m dating),” the actor claims.

However we ensure that the actor admits has been hit by the cupid’s arrow, albeit with a twist: “So, from my side there is (love), from that person’s side I’m not really sure.”

Ask her if things are complicated and she quickly quips, “It’s not complicated, I’m telling khulla khulla from my side I’m in a relationship. I’m in love and I would like to believe it is a good thing.”

Nonetheless, the Commando 3 actor also states that she would never talk about her relationship status in public. She elaborates, “I cannot hide from my friends who know me. They’ll know the moment I am interested in a guy. They can see through me. However, with others I’m secretive and protective about things. I keep denying everything (laughs).”

Mention marriage to Sharma and she responds saying, “Next janam.” She explains after being a bride on screen for multiple times, she doesn’t believe she will go all out decked as a bride. “In real life, I don’t think I’d have a ’wedding wedding’. Right now, I don’t know if want to get married,” she ends.

Actor Adah Sharma started her acting career with the most “unusual” film. While the movie, 1920 (2008) and her performance were lauded, it took her four years to land her second role. “With your first (film) people believe that you are that character. But to cast someone in another film for those who wear blinders is very tough,” states Hasee Toh Phasee (2014) actor.

Sharma entered the industry with the assumption that if you work hard, you excel. “When I entered, I didn’t know anybody. But I was like, ‘I can act and dance. Of course, I will get movies’. But (then) you realise, there were no rules. You realise that if you are not from the industry, it’s tough for opportunities to come by,” she mentions.

Talking about those “disappointing” days, Sharma recalls, “Of course, I cried. I had days when I signed a contract for a film and then I read in the paper that somebody else had got the film. And I was like, ‘How?’ I felt terrible, I was disappointed. It felt like the end of the world. But you can only dwell that much. You got to be okay with rejections.”

With 16 films to her credit in a decade-long career, she admits that being an introvert, the fact that she’s come this far without “much socializing, is magical”. The actor adds, “I would want it any other way.”