Adah Sharma: Post ‘The Kerala Story’, I'm getting more projects where the female protagonist is leading the project

Bollywood actress Adah Sharma, who is known for her versatility and range in films like The Kerala Story, 1920, and Commando, has come a long way since her debut in 2008.  The talented actress will be next seen in Reeta Sanyal.

In a candid conversation with Money Control, Adah Sharma spoke about her journey, how work has changed for her post-the super success of The Kerala Story, and her upcoming project especially Reeta Sanyal.

When asked about her journey in the industry, Adah said she chooses to focus on the present and future. "I try looking only forward. If you are sitting on a roller coaster and look back, you might feel slightly queasy,” she told us.

Since the release of the Justice Hema Committee report, many actresses in the Malayalam film industry have come forward to narrate the stories of sexual misconduct with them, leaving many shocked.

And when we asked the actress about casting couch or if she has ever faced it, Adah navigated the question with humor, saying, "You choose to stand or sit on the floor."

Adah was also in the news for shifting to the same house where actor Sushant Singh Rajput resided until his untimely death in June 2020. When asked about apprehensions, Adah said, "Should I have any apprehensions?"

In August this year, Adah Sharma shared her thoughts about moving into the Mont Blanc Apartments, which were earlier rented by Sushant Singh Rajput. Adah had said during a press conference that she got positive vibes from the apartment, and hence she chose to take it on rent. She had shifted to the flat with her mother and grandmother. Adah had also revealed that her grandmother contributes to the rent of the house as well.

Life Post: The Kerala Story 

Post the success of her film The Kerala Story, which released in 2023, Adah said she is now getting more projects where the female protagonist is leading the project. She's also being offered a wide range of roles to choose from.

“After The Kerala Story, I'm getting more projects where the female protagonist is leading the project. Also, I'm now being given so many projects to choose from,” she added.

When asked about feeling like an outsider in the industry, Adah says, "The strange thing is when an outsider is asked this, if they say yes, the article will be titled'so and so feels like an outsider in the film industry' and it makes it sound so cranky."

Though Adah has been vocal about not getting awards or acknowledgment in the industry, however, the actress says she chooses to focus on the positives.

“I actually think it would be so disrespectful to all the awards that have given me the best actress for Kerala Story if I crib about the two awards that didn't. It would be so interesting if the question was directed to the person in charge of the awards; they would give the right answers. I would never know why. As for me, I'm just so grateful. I got the Kerala Story; it became the highest female grossing film of all time. Then I got Sunflower 2, a completely different role from the Kerala story, a bar dancer who is cunning and almost villainous. Then I got Bastar, where I'm a soldier fighting for her country, tough, rugged, and now a show in and as Reeta Sanyal, who is playing 10 characters in one project. All in a year. So, it would be very difficult now to crib about not getting an award. Maybe they thought Adah already got too much, so let's give the award to someone else,” she told Money Control.

As for boycotting award shows, Adah says, "I used to contemplate about reading the minds of people as a child, and I've been practicing this for hours a day for years, and now I can; I contemplate about using solar energy and saving depleting sources of fuel; I contemplate on making some sort of plant where sewage waste can get converted to something that can be used to power generators; I contemplate on how to get plastic bags to be stopped completely,” she added.

Adah's upcoming projects include 'Reeta Sanyal' which will stream on Disney+ Hotstar, and it will be a mix of action, drama, horror, comedy, and romance. Thr actress says she is excited to play 10 characters in one project.

Adah said, “All of the above in my next project titled Reeta Sanyal on Disney plus Hotstar. Watching the show will be like reading a crazy comic book.”

Reeta Sanyal is produced by Rajeshwar Nair and Krishnan Iyer under the banner of Keylight Productions. It The series, directed by Abhirup Ghosh, is based on the character created by the acclaimed writer Amit Khan.

The series also has Rahul Dev, Ankur Rathee, and Manik Papneja in key roles.

Adah made her debut in 2008 with horror film 1920, which was a success at the box office. She also tried her hand at comedy with "Hasee Toh Phasee" (2014).

She made her Telugu debut as the lead actress in 'Heart Attack' (2014), followed by notable roles in 'S/O Satyamurthy' (2015) and 'Kshanam' (2016). Her recent standout performance was in the 2023 film 'The Kerala Story', which won her many accolades.