Shama Sikander was a household name when she started off with the popular television show Yeh Meri Life Hai. Cut to 2017, the actress has come up with a bold new avatar for her web series Maya. Maya is touted as the Indian version of 50 Shades Of Grey and the actress confesses her mother was scandalized when she saw a few bold scenes from her web series. Edited excerpts from an interview:
Can one call Maya the Indian version of 50 shades of Grey?
The only similarity between the two really is BDSM. Nothing of the sort has been portrayed on the Indian screen before. No one has spoken about it either. It’s certainly not a Mills and Boon love story — it’s more real.
How did your parents react to you doing such a bold web series?
My brothers loved it. They shared it everywhere. My mother is a simple housewife, so even if I tell her she won’t understand anything. She was scandalised a bit in the beginning because she has never seen me doing bold scenes. But at the same time my parents are very supportive and open. They always stood by me. They know that I won’t take up a project without good reason. They don’t know what the film is about though.
Do you fear being judged for your choices?
Not at all. I have always been a very carefree person. I have made it on my own. I have fought my battles on my own and I am proud of it. So after all this, you tend to pay less attention to the things the world says. They will talk about you anyway. So it’s their problem not mine. I don’t like to live with this stress.
How do you manage when there’s no work?
The best thing I did was to invest in lots of business. So even if I have no work, there is no insecurity of not having money. I have other properties and businesses, but I can imagine how tough it can be when you don’t have a side business and you are jobless.
You had the courage to speak about bipolar disorder that you went through a few years ago. How did you manage to cope up with it?
It was dark, that’s all I can say. I have seen myself being pulled in the dark. I used to cry my lungs out for help and nobody was able to hear it. It shakes you badly and makes you question everything. But thankfully I came out of it. You have to believe that you will be fine. That’s what kept me alive. I also did a lot of meditation.
Have you set any limitations for yourself as an actress?
There are certain limitations I had set — I didn’t want to look vulgar, I wanted to look sensuous. I know Vikram Bhatt as a person and he is a dear friend. I knew he would make me feel comfortable. He is a very good human being. When you are in good hands, you don’t have to worry about anything. We haven’t shot anything that’s vulgar.
