Vi-desi: Sandeepa Dhar

Social media has a lot to answer for. Idiotic trolls. The ever-expanding self-importance of Piers Morgan. That awful feeling after posting something, finding yourself staring at the.

Spain – theatre – Shakespeare – Australian Dance Theatre – that’s impressive! How did the West Side Story happen?

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I have been a dancer since I was a toddler. After having trained with Shiamak and Terrance for about 8 years, I had the urge to study dance at the Australian Dance School for which I won a scholarship. While studying there, I auditioned for the role of Maria and got it. That’s how the journey of West Side Story started. After 6 months of strenuous rehearsals, we staged out our first show in Australia. And since then we’ve performed in over 8 countries with over 100 shows.

Have you been associated with theatre before?

I used to do theatre in school and college but​​ nothing very specific. My biggest break is this international musical.

You’ve also been signed by a Chilean-Spanish writer-director Alejandro Amenabar for a Spanish flick. You seem to be on fire! Most actors make a westward move pretty late in their career. Tell us more.

(Laughs) I was performing in Spain for West Side story where I met Alejandro, who complemented me for my performance and asked me if I would like to work with him. I am really very excited about it but it’s too early to say anything beyond this. Not much has been finalised yet.

We believe you. Now that you’re gonna be out there, what are your expectations from the Indian acting scene?

I am hoping for some interesting work as I am not into just the song and dance kinda stuff. I’m always on the lookout for meaningful films where I have scope to really perform as an actor. I am glad our industry is slowly changing and films like Ankhon Dekhi and Dum Lagake Haisha are doing well.

You’re a Kashmiri but you don’t stay there. Where do you feel most at home?

I was a newborn when my parents moved out of Kashmir due to militant activities. So, I don’t really have any memories of it. All I know of Kashmir is what passed on from my parents to me. And I will always be regretful of the fact that I didn’t get to experience a life there first hand. Now Mumbai is where I feel most at home coz it’s here that I studied, went to college, started dancing professionally and became a professional actor. No matter which part of the world I am in, I will always miss Mumbai the most.

Tell us something about your background. Did your parents have a career planned for you, like the rest of parents in India?

I come from a Kashmiri family. I did my schooling in Bengaluru and college from St. Xaviers College, Mumbai. I have done my Bharatnatyam course from the famous Vani Ganpati for 8 years and have also learnt Jazz and Contemporary for 4 years from Shiamak Davar and Terence Lewis. My parents were very open minded people and always encouraged me in perusing my career in whatever interests me. I am blessed to have such supporting parents.

You are a trained dancer. Were you really interested in acting or you just ventured into it as the logical next?

I was always interested in acting, but as boring as it sounds I never thought I will be a part of Bollywood. I used to do theatre but I thought that’s where it would end. When I was offered Isi Life Mein by Rajshree productions I was so surprised that I didn’t even react. Later my role was appreciated by critics and audiences so I thought maybe I have it in me, so why not try my luck... and here I am. I guess I would say it was not my interest or logical step it is just that I am God’s favourite child. (winks)

How come the God’s favourite child is not very active on social networking sites?

To be very honest I am technologically challenged and too lazy for all this. I still believe in orthodox ways to keep in touch. I mean if I am missing someone I will call them. If I want to share my happy or sad moments with someone close, I’ll meet them. I don’t like making my life very public. I love with my privacy and my closely guarded space.

From the July 2015 issue of FHM India.