Sharvari, who is basking in the success of her last two films — the horror comedy Munjya, followed by the period drama Maharaj on OTT — is hoping that Vedaa, a hard-hitting socio-action thriller, will give her a hattrick of hits.
After her debut film Bunty Aur Babli 2 in 2021, the actress had to wait three years to find herself back in the spotlight. “It is about time, I would say,” she comments.
Bunty Aur Babli 2, a sequel to the 2005 blockbuster hit Bunty Aur Babli, received an underwhelming response and it wasn’t until May this year that the actor could deliver a breakout performance in Munjya.
Now hailed as a face to look out for, Sharvari says the sudden shift in perception has been overwhelming. “My first film didn’t do as well as expected, and then there was Covid and a long three-year wait. Even though I was working, I had nothing released during this period, and it wasn’t the easiest time. There is always an expectation from oneself, not just those of other people. Every time I attended screenings, I would ask myself when my day would come, when my film would be released. I was longing to see myself back on screens, performing any role. This seems like perfect timing, and I’m grateful.”
Directed by Nikhil Advani, Vedaa is based on a true story of a young girl’s struggle for justice against a regressive society, and her fight to uphold her constitutional rights. The film, which was finally cleared by the censor board with a U/A certificate, addresses several sensitive issues relating to socio-economic rights of women in a patriarchal society.
Sharvari says it was a big responsibility for her to play the titular character and convince the audience of the protagonist’s very difficult and uncomfortable trajectory. “Vedaa’s story is her fight for equality and justice. She demands something from the country. This is a story of never giving up in the face of adversity. When I was doing some scenes, I forgot that there was an ‘action’ and a ‘cut’. There were many times when I was emotionally overwhelmed and had to give myself a breather,” she shares.
Though she packs a punch as she takes on the baddies, Sharvari, who shares screen space with action star John Abraham, recalls with laughter a moment when she had to stand behind the actor, and “his bicep was so big” that she couldn’t be seen!
John Abraham had recently admonished the media for making assumptions that the film was just another action drama, and in this, he has been backed by his co-stars and director. “The trailer does not even slightly reveal the emotional intensity of this hard-hitting narrative. It's not for the faint-hearted,” says Nikhil Advani.
Meanwhile, the fit and toned looking Sharvari is prepping for the much-awaited female-led ‘spyverse’ Alpha with Alia Bhatt. She plays the super-agent alongside Alia. Sharvari says, “We are currently shooting and it is a dream come true to work with my favourite actor Alia Bhatt, and get this awesome opportunity to learn from the best on set.”
Vedaa’s story is her fight for equality and justice. She demands something from the country. This is a story of never giving up in the face of adversity. When I was doing some scenes, I forgot that there was an ‘action’ and a ‘cut’. There were many times when I was emotionally overwhelmed and had to give myself a breather.”
