BollywoodWrap Exclusive Interview With Sanaya Pithawalla

Q : What inspired you to become an actor ?
Sanaya Pithawalla : Actually I believe in the saying that what you seek is seeking you. I was not thinking of making a career in acting but it somehow just happened for me because maybe deep down that’s what I wanted to be. I would always go to a theatre and come out all inspired after watching films and think that what if one day i could be on that big screen. So, maybe it was my inner calling. And trust me to watch yourself on the big screen is the most surreal feeling.

Q : Tell us something about your background.
Sanaya Pithawalla : Well I have a degree in psychology and sociology. I studied arts from R.D national college, Bandra. My father had made it very clear that I finish my graduation and then I can pursue whatever I like but a degree is a must specially because I was into the dance field back then so needed a back up as dance wasn’t really considered as a proper profession back in the day.

I’ve grown up in a family that has always been supportive and always pushed me to dream and do whatever I’ve wanted so today all that I am is because of my parents and because they believed in me is what made me believe in myself too right from childhood. There was nothing that I felt oh I can’t do. Except for studies yes, that’s one thing I hated hehehe.

Always had a creative eye for things so was inclined towards the creative field right from the beginning. My struggle was real, still is real I’d say. For an actor I believe the struggle never really stops. It’s all about the struggle and hustle. Auditioning from one place to another. Meetings back to back. Then waiting for weeks and months together for that call to know whether you got the part or not. But it’s all about patience I believe. You have to hang in there and believe in yourself. If you are passionate about your craft then trust me no one can stop you from achieving it. And very honestly I enjoy the struggle, it’s a learning process. There is so much to learn. If it were easy we would never be able to get better at our job then. An actors job is learning each & everyday and observing each and everything. So, even when I look back and think I don’t regret the decision that I made and I’m proud of myself for coming so far all by myself .

Q : Was it difficult to get your first break ?
Sanaya Pithawalla : Not at all. Which is the funny part. Because I was called by a friend of mine who was an assistant director at that point of a film and they were casting for it. It was a Bollywood movie and it was a small role of a girl in it who was playing the lead actors best friends girlfriend. And I told him I don’t know how to act at all so I didn’t want to go there and make a fool out of myself. But he somehow convinced me saying it’s easy and he will help me with the stuff and that director liked my photos very much so I said OK let me give it a try. And I was only 18 years old. So I went with my mother and auditioned there and walked out knowing what a horrible job I had done and that I’m never getting a call back from them. But my mother somehow very strongly believed that I was bagging the role. I don’t know what made her so sure about it but she just knew and kept telling me along the way that I’m going to get a call back. And to my surprise that very evening I got a call from my friend and he said they loved you come back to office to sign the contract and discuss the commercials and the very next day we were to fly to Mussoorie for the first schedule of the film for a month. And I couldn’t believe it. So that’s how I bagged my first break in the film called ishqeria that actually realised only last year due to some reasons and is on amazon prime now.

Q : Which has been your favorite role of all you did so far ?
Sanaya Pithawalla : There are many actually. It’s very difficult to choose. But a role that I think made me step out of my comfort zone and got a great reaction from the audiences too was Aditi ranaut that I played in  the great Indian dysfunctional family. It was really challenging because I was a lesbian in it and a young 18 year old lesbian girl who had to come out to her parents about it. So all those emotions that I had to feel were something very different and challenging but I enjoyed player her.

And a role that is very close to my heart is that of Siyali Rajput from warrior high. That was my first youth show for MTV that too as the main lead. So it was a lot of pressure on my shoulders. I really didn’t know how I would pull it off but to my surprise till date people remember me from that show and love me for it . And I have great memories from that show too so will always be very close to my heart .

Q : Who is your favourite actress ?
Sanaya Pithawalla : I really like Kareena Kapoor. She is a brilliant actress and also we have all seen her grow through her journey. So it is very inspiring and I just think she was a born star  even off screen she is so gorgeous and has that amazing personality that you just want to keep looking at her.

Q : How was your experience of working in Fuh se Fantasy ?
Sanaya Pithawalla : Well that was again a character that made me step out of my comfort zone as it was a bold episode. However, I was quite comfortable because I was working opposite Anshuman Malhotra who I am dating for 5 years so i wasn’t nervous about acting with a complete stranger that would make it more hard for me. Also, the team was brilliant, Tanveer and his team is amazing. It’s always a treat working with them . They make you feel like home so was a good experience.