Amika Shail: I will always be a singer first

Singer turned actress Amika Shail, recently seen in Disney+Hotstar Quix’s Chattis Aur Maina, has projects like Mirzapur and Gandi Baat to her credit. The actress, who has Bengali roots, was also a part of Akshay Kumar’s OTT release Laxmmi.

In an interview with OTTplay, Amika spoke about her show Chattis Aur Maina, how acting happened to her and if she’d like to explore Bengali cinema among other things.

Excerpts from the interview:

You’ve worked in shows like Mirzapur and Gandi Baat, does that help in bagging more projects?

As an actor I always look for roles that give me a wider scope to perform on screen. Even if it is a small role in a series or in a film, if it is powerful enough to leave an impact, I will definitely take it. I look for a role that brings forth my abilities as an actor. Being a part of shows like Mirzapur and Gandi Baat has definitely helped me in getting good projects. My performance in both the shows was appreciated and liked by the audiences.

When did you shoot for Chattis Aur Maina?

We finished shooting for the show just before the second lockdown was announced. It took us almost a month and a half to finish the shoot. My character Dhaani is very bubbly and full-of-life who is not very ambitious about her dancing career. I did face some initial challenges while playing this character because I couldn’t relate to her. Although she is a naive belle yet sometimes it is a challenge to portray that simplicity on screen. I had to work a lot on my dancing skills too.

Did you know that it was going to be a Disney Plus Hotstar Quix or it was a last moment change?

I knew that it was going to be for Disney Plus Hotstar but not about the new format.

You are also a singer, so what do you enjoy more - acting or singing?

It is extremely difficult to choose between acting and singing. It is like choosing between your body and soul. Singing is my soul and I will always be a singer first. I have started my journey in the industry as a singer. I have been a singer since my childhood. Even my acting journey is credited to my singing skills only. A production house was looking for a singer who can also act, which is how acting happened to me. I had never dreamt or planned of becoming an actor at all.

Would you prefer working in films or web shows?

I prefer both films and web series. TV is something I don't enjoy doing much. But films and web series are my thing. I am already doing a lot of web shows and as far as films are concerned, I was looking forward to the release of my movie Laxmmi on the silver screen. Unfortunately due to the lockdown it could not happen.

What is happening after Chattis Aur Maina?

I have a few web series lined up for release. I will talk about them when the time is right. My immediate release is this web series called Nachaniya on a new OTT platform Tamasha. I play the main lead in this one.

Do you have any plans to explore the Bengali industry?

I have grown up watching Bengali movies so I would definitely love to be a part of a Bengali film or web series in future.