Bollywood actress Saiyami Kher made a daring entry into the Hindi film industry with her debut in the 2016 film ‘Mirzya.’ The film, which also starred Harsh Varrdhan Kapoor and was directed by the celebrated filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, was heavily marketed as a launchpad for Anil Kapoor’s son. However, contrary to high expectations, the fantasy romantic film failed to make a significant impact at the box office.
In an exclusive interview with mid-day.com, Saiyami discussed the repercussions of the film’s lackluster performance on her budding career. She revealed that the movie’s failure brought about an immediate and harsh realization regarding the critical importance of a film’s success at the box office. “There is a dialogue in Zoya (Akhtar)’s film. Your first film chooses you; you don’t choose it. So I was very lucky to be rejected every day before ‘Mirzya’,” Saiyami said, reflecting on her early days in the industry.
Rakeysh sir, she recounted, had warned her that ‘Mirzya’ was not the typical commercial film. “When I was signing the contract, he asked, ‘Are you sure you want to do this?’ He has always been someone who seeks to create something new and different, something that challenges normative filmmaking conventions. My learning and grooming were under Rakeysh Mehra’s guidance, which pushed me to extend my artistic boundaries,” she added.
Despite the film being touted as a grand launchpad for Harsh Varrdhan Kapoor amidst considerable hype, it ultimately failed to generate significant revenue, an outcome that brought forth an important lesson for the young actress. “That’s when I realized how crucial it is for your films to earn well. Because when they don’t, you don’t get the same caliber of work that you are offered when there’s hype around you,” Saiyami explained. This harsh reality hit home as she experienced firsthand the career ramifications when she found herself ousted from two projects post-‘Mirzya.’
Elaborating on this disheartening experience, she said, “I had signed two films, and neither the producers nor my manager’s calls were returned after the release of ‘Mirzya.
.’ Those roles went to other actors, which I understood as part of this challenging industry. I’ve always known it would be tough to survive here, but that period was especially grueling.”
The actress also spoke about the undeniable isolation that accompanies such professional setbacks but was quick to acknowledge the support she received from prominent filmmakers. “Every time I doubted myself and felt that I wasn’t cut out for this industry, I had backing from directors like Anurag Kashyap, Neeraj Pandey, and R Balki, who had faith in my abilities,” she shared.
Having weathered these initial storms, Saiyami’s approach to choosing roles has evolved but remains constrained by the limited opportunities available. “These days, when I am afforded the chance to choose roles, I go by the script and my intuition. If my heart feels good about a script, I do it. It’s not like I have ten roles to choose from; the opportunities coming my way are still not as many as I would like. So, I have to make my choices from the smaller pool that I have,” she clarified.
Saiyami’s journey has been a testament to her resilience. Though the industry can be unrelenting, her story is an inspiring reminder of the power of perseverance and faith in one’s craft. She was last seen in the film ‘Sharmajee Ki Beti’ directed by Tahira Kashyap Khurrana, which also starred Divya Dutta and Sakshi Tanwar. This endeavor highlights her continued passion and dedication to acting despite earlier setbacks.
Saiyami Kher’s candid revelations provide a glimpse into the volatile nature of Bollywood, where an actor’s journey can be radically altered by the success or failure of their projects. Her experience emphasises the significance of box office results and highlights how perseverance and strong professional support can forge a determined artist out of the ashes of early disappointment. As she continues to carve out her space in the industry, Saiyami Kher exemplifies the spirit of resilience, showing that setbacks can indeed pave the way for future accomplishments.
