Saiyami Kher says filming Ghoomer was an emotional turmoil, calls Abhishek Bachchan extremely mature and deep | Exclusive

Saiyami Kher has been reaching new heights step by step with each of her projects. The talented actor has recently garnered fame with her latest theatrical release Ghoomer alongside Abhishek Bachchan. The R Balki-directed sports drama movie also stars Angad Bedi and Shabana Azmi in key roles.

In a candid chat with OTTplay, Saiyami shared her experience of working in the film as well as with all the pivotal actors. Recalling her journey of shooting Ghoomer, the actor also mentioned that it has been an emotional turmoil for her. Excerpts:

Saiyami people are praising, celebs are praising. Virendra Sehwag himself tweeted for you. How would you like to respond to such praise and comments?

Honestly, it's been really overwhelming because in promotions it all feels like such a blur. You don't know what's happening and then suddenly it reduces and you have love pouring in. And it's this film that has been loved the most in my career, so far. 

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Are you a switch off and switch on an actor because when we watch the film it seems that the character can take an emotional toll on the actor?

Obviously, this is a very physically exhausting film, because I had to physically learn how to play cricket with my other hand, I'm right-handed and playing with my left hand has been physically very tough, for sure. But it was emotionally the most exhausting for me. There's too much emotional turmoil, and there are so many breakdowns and just living the life of a different person has moved me in many different ways. So it was just one of the most emotionally exhausting films. 

How long did it take for her to become left-handed?

Fortunately, I had four or five months before we started shooting. So I used to practice every day with my left hand, I used to go and do cricket stuff such as bowling with my left hand. So it took me like maybe four months. But it was pretty much rigorous practice every day. But it took me four months. 

Are you a switch off and switch on an actor because when we watch the film it seems that the character can take an emotional toll on the actor?

A character usually doesn't affect me. But, I was so affected by this film, as I was living with this character for almost a year and a half. And after we finished shooting on the eighth of June, I remember I went for a dive trip after that. And I couldn't stop thinking of the character. I actually was on a boat. And I had like a dream where I went diving and I had only one hand and I was like weeping at the floor of the ocean. So that's how much this film kind of has moved me and affected me. So this film, it's been tough to kind of get out of easily because there's so much emotion that's gone into the film.

Abhishek Bachchan looked quite intense in the film. How is he on sets and how was the equation between you two on sets?

So, everyone keeps saying AB is quite funny and mischievous. He's somebody who makes the atmosphere light on the set. He makes things just easy to work with, but he is somebody who is extremely prepared as an actor and somebody who's extremely emotional and I think extremely mature and deep. A lot of people don't talk about that side of him, but he's one of the wisest people I've met. And I really had a very good time with him on set. 

How was your first reaction when went through the script and also when you got to know about your co-actors Abhishek Bachchan, Shabana Azmi and your old friend Angad Bedi?

So, actually, R Balki Sir offered this film to me a long time ago, almost five years ago. He saw me playing cricket somewhere. But, the film didn't end up happening for whatever reason, but when it eventually happen and he told me he is doing it. I was really delighted because both AB and I had worked together on Breathe. We had an equation and we were very comfortable. And I was just very happy that he will be a part of it. 

With regard to Angad, he is one of my best friends in the industry. So working with Angad kind of completes the circle because he was one of the first people I interacted with in the industry. And I know Shabana (Azmi) Maasi only since I was born. So working with her was extremely special and also very emotional. 

There are very few female actresses who get the opportunity to headline a film all by themselves, How much struggle has it taken to reach this stage?

I feel I've been extremely fortunate in that way. Because, like you said, and I completely agree with you that it's very difficult to get a female back in a film. But I've been very fortunate with Anurag Kashyap's film Choke, which was entirely on my shoulder. And Ghoomer, which is also about a girl and her journey with her coach. 

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So for me, I've been very fortunate that I've gotten these opportunities. And I hope that I get more opportunities like this because you get greedy, right? Like someone like me who had a taste of these kinds of things. When you're given something which is not so meaty, then you suddenly feel like, I want something meaty. So these films made me very greedy. And I really hope that people keep me in mind writers directors keep in mind when there are exciting roles. 

Do you have any message, especially for girls through your character or this film?

So, I'll tell you a story. When we were promoting in Delhi, a few women, who were NGO workers said that after watching the film they got very inspired and they believe that no one can stop them from doing anything. I felt so happy that this message is going across to women, because at every point, be it a corporate office, be it even the film industry, you always see male dominance in most sectors.

we had to change anytime we have a poll to benefit, okay, so, and I feel bad in itself. I felt so happy that this message is going across to women, because at every point, be it a corporate office, be it even the film industry, you always see male dominance in most sectors. And I think this film will kind of give that feeling that can make you go out and follow your dreams and these dreams will come true, because that's what this film makes me personally feel as well.