Sahher Bambba Exclusive Interview: "I'm Feeling Butterflies In My Stomach"

In a time when we keep hearing about launches of star-children more often than not, there is a newcomer who is ready to set her foot in showbiz purely based on her talent and hard work. We are talking about Sahher Bambba, who is gearing up to make her silver screen debut with the upcoming Hindi film Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas. 

Directed by Sunny Deol and produced by Dharmendra, Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas is a rom-com based in Shimla. Besides Sahher Bambba, the movie also marks the acting debut of Sunny Deol's son Karan Deol.

Ahead of the release of the film, our correspondent Mohnish Singh meets Sahher Bambba and tries to know more from her about Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas, her character in the film, her experience of working with Sunny Deol and Karan Deol, and much more.

The release date of your film Pal Pal Dil Ke Pass is nearing. How excited or nervous are you?

I am very excited as well as nervous. I am feeling butterflies in my stomach, I am not getting any sleep, and with every passing day, as the release date of the film is inching closer, I am feeling that the nervousness and restlessness are increasing. I try my best to sleep by 11 o'clock but then, due to anxiety related to the film, it becomes a bit late, but I try to sleep early.

How was it working with Sunny Deol and his son Karan Deol? 

It was amazing. As I said, I am not from the industry. I don’t know the ABC of acting. Whatever I have learnt in these two years is only because of Sunny Deol. I didn’t know as basic as what a mark was, the technical thing of what filmmaking is all about. So all of that he taught me, and he is so, so patient with me and Karan Deol. It has been an amazing journey.

I think now, considering that we have worked for 2 years together, they are like family to me and Sunny Deol is like a father figure to me. Our rapport has developed in such a way that I don’t think twice before telling him anything. It is a father-daughter sort of a relationship.

While you were auditioning, did you do any kind of acting workshops?

Actually, the plan was that 8 months into the college, when we get holidays after the final exams, I will not go back to Shimla. I will stay in Bombay and take up an acting workshop or something just to understand acting. But amidst all this, the Fresh Face contest happened and also the auditions for Pal Pal Dil Ke Pass, so I didn’t get a chance.

But after that, once I started shooting, a month into it, we took a break and when we came back to Bombay, I was sent to Mr Atul Mongia and I did a ten-day workshop with him. He just taught me little little things about acting, like how to get into the zone and this and that. The rest of it, I think, Sunny Deol taught me.

Where did you do your schooling and what did you study?

I did my schooling in Shimla, and two years in Kasauli, in a boarding school. I studied Travel and Tourism.

There are many sports activities like trekking, water sports, etc. How was your experience filming them?

That was really, really difficult considering that we shot on real locations and in extreme weather conditions. We learnt trekking and then we shot it. It was really very difficult and, you know, even though I am from Shimla, it didn’t make my life any easier because those were such difficult places that many people from Shimla might also not have visited.

How was your shoot in Shimla?

Actually, we did the shooting in Manali, and it was really far from the main city. We shot on Panduropa mountain, where the trek was for about 8 hours. It was a very difficult trek. They were very different locations. 

According to you, how interesting was the script when you read it?

When the narration happened, I fell in love with just the story. I remember I did not space out for a second because the film was so gripping. I was so excited, I couldn’t believe that I will be a part of such an exciting story.

Who is your role model in Bollywood?

There isn’t one but many. There is so much to learn from everyone. I think anybody who survived in the industry and has made it big purely on their talent, kudos to them.

What was your first reaction when you got to know that you have been finalised for the film?

I was very excited. I remember that they had kept a box of tissue in front of me thinking that I will break down. I was blank. 

When you got this role, how did your classmates react?

They were very surprised. They were like, "You always wanted to do this, right?" I had never told anyone that I wanted to become an actor because it is a difficult field to get into. It was like it was next to impossible. It was like me going to the moon. I used to think that when it was never going to happen, what was the use of telling anyone, even though this was my only plan. There was never a plan B. But it is very strange how things fell into place and I landed up here in Bollywood. Relatives were very supportive. Initially, they were a little iffy but I mean that’s okay as it was purely out of concern.

There are many fresh faces in the industry. So do you feel any pressure?

Of course. I think that is the predominant thought constantly in my head: What next? I think that is bound to happen. All you can do is give your 100% and work hard.

So after this rom-com, what kind of movies do you want to pursue?

I think all types of films. As an audience, my personal genre, if you ask, is rom-coms. But as an actor, I am so hungry to do every genre and explore different genres and challenge myself as an actor.

Do you plan to do digital shows and television?

I think the cinema doesn’t have any medium. So any opportunity or anything which is exciting, I will definitely do it.

Did you get any offers before this film?

No, I didn’t get any before this. But now they have started a little bit. But I want to take it very slow and very easy and be very sure about it.

How many places have you travelled from your childhood till date and what are your favourite travel locations in India?

I can’t count but lots. Especially in India, I have covered every state, except I think the East. I liked Kerala a lot, the backwaters and all.

Now that you are in Mumbai, don’t you think this city is better than Shimla as it snows there most of the times?

No, I think it's home sweet home for me. Shimla will always be home for me. I also say this to Rocky that the sound sleep I get when I am at home is something else. The life there is very slow and it's very beautiful.

Now that the trailer and the songs have become quite popular. Have people started recognizing you now?

After the release of songs, people have been recognizing me a bit but Bombay people don’t really care.

Is there any classic Bollywood film that you would love to see yourself in the remake of?

It is Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995). As I said, it is a quintessential Hindi film that I have grown up watching.

What are your favourite films with Sunny Deol and Dharamendra?

I think I have watched all the films with Sunny Deol. My personal favourite is Gadar (2000). I really liked the Gadar. His character was so pure in that film.

Who is your favourite actor?

I love Varun Dhawan. He has brilliant comic timing and then there is Vicky Kaushal and Ranbir Kapoor. I think there are so many good talented people out there. When it comes to actresses, I think Alia Bhatt is doing an amazing job.

>>> Read more: “Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas” Review: “Suffers From A Weak Script & Poor Performances”