After starting her career on the big screen, Sandeepa Dhar is enjoying her time on the web exploring myriad characters. Her two upcoming shows could not be more different. While Sony LIV’s Dr Arora sees her as a Morena woman, whose husband seeks the help of a sexologist, Tera Chhalaava on Hungama Play has her playing her first negative role. Dhar talks about the two offerings, the multitude of experiences, and the joy of working with Imtiaz Ali.

Edited excerpts from the interview.

The excitement will come once the shows release, and I get the feedback. As of now, it is sheer nervousness.

I auditioned for Dr. Arora and forgot about it because I was shooting for other things. About 15 days later, I got a callback from Imtiaz Ali’s office stating that they liked my test and Imtiaz wanted to talk to me. They set up a Zoom call because I was in Pondicherry at the time. I was nervous about getting on a Zoom call with him because it is one thing to talk to someone on a call, and another to have a face-to-face chat. I didn’t want to leave a bad first impression. I couldn’t sleep the previous night because I was nervous about meeting Imtiaz. You expect directors to have an aura, but Imtiaz doesn’t have any of it. He spoke to me as if he had known me forever. I couldn’t process the fact that he was complimenting my work. He told me about the show and my character. I was shocked when he asked me to come back and read the script.

When he told me the subject, I was intrigued because Imtiaz is known for making love stories. I would have been apprehensive of the subject, if it was not with Imtiaz. He brings credibility. The show won’t make you cringe or uncomfortable. From the writing, you can tell that they used the subject to educate, with a tinge of humour. My parents [and their generation] might feel uncomfortable about the subject because they come from a certain conditioning. We are the [second] most populated country in the world, and still shying away from [discussing sex]. That said, today’s generation is far more comfortable talking about it.

I had to understand the culture of people in Madhya Pradesh. The show is set in the ’90s. When I was younger, during winter vacations, we used to go to Delhi from Bangalore. En route, I’d often notice these doctor ads. When I would ask my parents about them, they inadvertently shut me up. As part of my prep, I had to learn about the people from Morena and their lifestyle in the ’90s. [I had to emulate] how they speak and their body language.

I saw it in titbits while dubbing. Archit [Kumar director], Sajid [Ali, director], and Imtiaz have justified the writing.

This is the first time I am playing a negative character. We prepped for three weeks before the shoot. Kabir [Sadanand, director] was part of the anthology, and asked me if I was interested. Since Kabir was in Goa, we did a lot of readings on video calls. It was difficult to find that darkness in me. I had an interesting journey to figure Anjali out and understand her morality.

Still from Tera Chhalaava

It’s always easier for insiders to get a break in the industry, agrees Sandeepa Dhar. And the actor, much like many others, feels that this is a major disadvantage that outsiders face in showbiz. “Having contacts always helps. If my father knows Karan Johar, he’ll call and request to let me audition for a film. And if I perform well, I get the part. But most outsiders wouldn’t have access to that audition, even if they are talented. But that doesn’t mean you would hold that against those born in a film family,” she says, adding that nepotism is in every industry.

Dhar adds that this access doesn’t guarantee success, as many insiders have failed to make it even after getting an easy entry. “One needs to sustain in the industry, and that requires talent and hard work. It isn’t guaranteed by anyone’s family lineage. Everyone needs to hustle it out, be it an insider or an outsider,” adds the actor, who has been a part of films such as Dabangg 2 (2012) and Heropanti (2014). She cites examples from the industry, highlighting many outsiders who have done well. “You have Ayushmann Khurrana, Kartik Aaryan, Anushka Sharma, Deepika Padukone… who’re outsiders and are extremely successful. I don’t understand what’s this debate about. If there are so many who aren’t from the industry but are at the top, it only goes on to show that honest effort doesn’t go waste,” she shares.

The actor, 31, adds that such things happen in every profession. “If you’re in the industry you’ve to be okay with it... Nothing can stop talent from shining. It also matters as to how you look at success. Would you like to grow as an artiste or the idea is to make money and being number one? For me, growth as an individual and artiste are important; the rest will fall in place, I have that faith,” she says.

After a brief stint in the movies, Sandeepa Dhar has established herself in the world of digital entertainment, one series at a time. Not to mention, her soaring theatre prospects as she toured several countries with the Australian Dance Theatre musical, West Side Story. As she wins praise for her understated act in ALT Balaji's MumBhai, Dhar discusses dabbling in different mediums and why censorship is necessary on the web.'

Edited excerpts from the interview.

The projects I am getting on the web are far more interesting, varied and challenging. Although some powerful films are being made, the change is happening at a much slower pace. While people are experimenting on the web, filmmakers sometimes play safe. It is understandable — the risks are much lower in a web series when compared to films.

I wasn't aware of the hawala scams during the '90s, or how transactions were carried out between India and Dubai, or the illegal money laundering. I learned about the nexus between Bollywood and the underworld, and how black money was pushed into making films.

I feel a certain amount of censorship is necessary because makers are going over the top with sexual content in digital entertainment. That needs to be curbed to an extent. That said, art needs freedom. Stories may lose their essence if the important aspects — for instance, usage of expletives — are censored. Profanity is a part of almost everyone's language these days. I am on the fence about the move. They should just give [a show] an A certificate, and let the adults make an informed decision.

It is debatable, especially when shows are only expressing their personal point of view. Viewers have the option to choose what they wish to consume.

I was pursuing my major in jazz and minor in contemporary dance. I had received a scholarship at an Australian dance company. Since my parents didn't want me to only learn dance, I [utilised the time] to also study business management. During that time, I auditioned for West Side Story, and the rest is history.

I wish to continue both — touring and pursuing my acting career here. I have a special relationship with the stage, and don't want to give it up. The experience of travelling the world and interacting with different kinds of people is priceless.

Without sounding prudish, the level of musicals produced here [isn't on par]. We need to pump in money and talent to match the scale of international productions. We are at a nascent stage. Musicals are an expensive affair; that's why the tickets are so costly. Here, people are struggling to pay Rs 200 to watch a film. How will they pay £100 to see a musical? People in Europe gladly incur that cost. The art is widely respected there.

Six years ago when Sandeepa Dhar made her debut in Bollywood, she showed a lot of promise. However, rather than portraying the stereotypical heroine and running around trees, the actress, who is also an accomplished dancer, chose to play supporting roles in Dabangg 2 and Heropanti. Now, she is set to leave her demure image behind with her upcoming film 7 Hours To Go in which she plays a tough-as-nails cop. In a quick chat with Bombay Times, Sandeepa reflects on her career and reveals why surviving in Bollywood is a struggle.

You have shed your girl-next-door image with this film. Were you apprehensive?
I wanted to do something different as I feel it's important for actors to explore a variety of characters for creative satisfaction. Also in Bollywood, actors get stereotyped very easily. After Dabangg 2 and Heropanti, I was offered similar kind of roles. When I approached director Saurabh Varma for this film, he wasn't convinced that I would be able to pull off the role of a bad a** cop. He changed his mind only after I gave a screen test. Rarely do you get a chance to play a strong female character and I grabbed this opportunity with both my hands. I hope this film helps in changing people's perception about me in the industry.

So in the interim, you deliberately didn't take up work because of the kind of roles that were offered to you?
Yes. As I said, once you become good at something, filmmakers take you for granted and offer the same roles. For instance, I had become good at playing someone who you feel sorry for. I didn't want to take up work out of desperation. So, I took my time. Today, most of the actors are trying to fight this notion and aspiring to do different kind of roles.

In this industry that's so competitive, didn't you fear that rejecting films would affect your career?
It surely gets difficult because there are only a certain number of films that are offered. So you have to take a call whether you want to take up work or sit at home. My father isn't a producer or director who will make a film just to project me in a different light. At the end of the day, I have to run my house. If I don't do films, I will not be able to survive. Working in Bollywood is a constant struggle.

You have done a lot of stunts in your forthcoming film. How did you prepare for it?
I have seen a lot of heroines doing action sequences in Hindi films but they don't look convincing. However, in Hollywood, actors are spot on as they undergo a lot of training. I wanted to do the same. So, I trained in Mixed Martial Arts. Also, in the film, I have a lot of hand-to-hand combat scenes with male actors. There were days when I couldn't get out of the bed due to the rigorous training. Physically, I look petite. So during the shoot, I had to ensure that when I punched, it didn't look gimmicky.

Are you happy with the way your career has shaped up so far?
To be honest, right after my debut film Isi Life Mein released, I flew to Australia where I got an opportunity to be a part of a Broadway. A lot of film offers were coming in, but I was too focused on my dancing. When I came to India on vacation, I did Dabangg 2 and later, I also shot for Heropanti. I had signed an exclusive contract with my dance academy and got busy with my shows for two years. Later, I signed Global Baba and 7 Hours To Go.

Now that you are playing a female lead, would you be comfortable doing supporting roles?
I don't judge a role on the basis of its screen time. I have done ensembles and supporting roles, too. For me, my character is important. The audience is smart and can judge the difference between a good and a bad film. As long as I get to play a good character, a second lead or a supporting role is not an issue.

Do you ever wish you had a godfather in the industry?
I am really happy that whatever I have achieved so far is because of my talent and perseverance. But having said that, I think having a godfather is a great thing because it gives you easy access to the industry. We have seen examples where star kids are launched by their families, and sometimes films are especially made to resurrect their career. I don't have a godfather in the industry. But I don't regret it. I feel it will only push me to work harder.

Do you believe in luck?
Along with talent, destiny is also a big factor. I think our profession has a lot to do with being at the right place at the right time. No matter how much I work hard and put my best foot forward, ultimately what is planned for me will happen.