She was a part of one of the most talked about fiction shows on the web and now, will seen in a much awaited film alongside Kajol. Pune girl Sushmita Bhandari has come a long way from being a beauty pageant winner to working in different platforms like television, films and web. In this interview, she talks about her journey as an artiste, performer, ‘Sacred Games 2’, Helicopter Eela’ and shares her thoughts on the #MeToo movement.
Tell us something about your background. You started out as a model…
Yes, I started my career as a model but I always wanted to become an actor. It all started with me winning the Times Ms. Fresh Face competition. Only two girls are selected from across the country to represent the brand. I was selected in 2013 and 2014 and I was the brand ambassador of Clean and Clear for two years. I did a lot of ads with them. That was my starting point in the industry.
Was ‘Sacred Games’ your first acting assignment?
No, I have done a lot of TV commercials and episodics for shows like ‘Gumrah – End Of Innocence’. ‘Sacred Games’ was my first big project.
What can we expect from the second season of the show?
It is going to be all the more exciting. It will have a lot of twists and turns. I am not at liberty to reveal anything about the plot but I can promise you that it will be worth the wait.
One has heard that you sing very well.
I have sung a bunch of songs in regional films but I am more of a performer than a playback singer. Last year, I was representing India in a function in the US. In 2007, I was a part of a conclave in Australia where I represented Indian classical music. I would like to strike a balance between and singing.
Would you like to come up with a single?
Yes, I am working on a few things in that direction. Very soon, you will see me coming up with the cover version of a popular song.
What are your thoughts on the #MeToo movement in Bollywood?
I think it is a very good thing. It was high time that something like this happened in India. We should have a stringent law that helps people report about these issues. After Tanushree spoke about her experience, a lot of women have come forward and shared their stories too. Even if five percent of what she has said is true, it is something really bad and horrible. Any kind of harassment is wrong. I think the #MeToo movement is going to help people and give everybody, be it women or men, the strength and confidence to share their experience and seek justice.
There are some actors who have specific goals in their mind. They want to play only certain kind of characters or want to explore only a particular space. Do you have any such specifications?
I do not have any such specifications in mind. I have worked in films, television and the digital space. I want to do something new every time and surprise the audience. I am looking forward to playing different kind of characters in the near future.
Can you share something about your character in ‘Helicopter Eela’?
It is a very special part that I play. My character is called Nidhi. She is a very modern girl and the character is integral to the plot of the film. The film is a musical and it was quite exciting to be a part of a project like this as I come from a musical background myself. I have been singing and performing all across the globe since I was ten years old. I have a lot of important scenes with Kajol, Neha Dhupia and Zakir Hussain.
What are you doing next?
I am in talks with a production house for a Marathi film. I am from Pune and speak Marathi very fluently, so it would be very exciting to do a Marathi film. We will start shooting for the second season of ‘Sacred Games’ very soon.