Karishma Lala Sharma – Woman Of Ambition → FHM India

The world seems a little more colourful when she enters a room with her unmissable and cheerful smile. From talking about her career to her love life, the personified diva spills her heart out to us in a candid conversation.

WHO’S SHE?

Name: Karishma Lala Sharma

Date of birth: 22nd December

Place of birth: Patna, Bihar

Height: 5 ft 5 in

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Profession: Actress

Instagram: @karishmasharma22

Twitter: @ikarishmasharma

I was very young when my parents decided to part ways.

Quirky, chirpy and very happy, Karishma Lala Sharma, is truly one of a kind, who’s made her mark in the industry. With her signature pout, luscious locks and tall, lithe frame, she could give most models a run for their money. Karishma, however, is an actorturned- social media influencer whose fun yet relatable posts make her one of the most influential voices in the Indian blogosphere. With one foot in Bollywood and the other in the television industry, she isn’t afraid to ace everything that comes her way.

Hailing from Patna, Karishma came to the city of dreams, Mumbai with a twinkle in her eyes, and a dream to win it big and make her mother proud. Edited excerpts of our quick chat with Karishma, just before her shoot with FHM India, and here’s what she had to say…

Growing up, who did you admire the most and what inspired you to become an actor?

I was very young when my parents decided to part ways. Growing up, I looked up to my mother, who taught me to dream big. She raised me as a single mother, kept herself together, and told me to always follow my heart. She is my hero. I never thought that a middle class girl like me would become an actress. Growing up, I used to stitch clothes on my grandmother’s sewing machine for my barbie dolls and wanted to become a fashion designer. But actors such as Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh inspired me to keep on learning more about the field.

How was your initial journey on the silver screen? What were the challenges that you faced?

I started out by acting in a soap opera called, Pavitra Rishta after which I appeared in Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2 and Silsila Pyaar Ka. But I often felt that I did not get enough flexibility to experiment with my creativity as an actor on the silver screen. However, over in the television industry, you tend to train yourself for the onscreen role and try to do full justice to the desired character.

I started out by acting in a soap opera called, Pavitra Rishta.

The song Paisa from the film Super 30 was a chartbuster with over 12+ million views. You have received an ecstatic response for it from the audiences. How was your experience?

When I got to know that it wasbased on the life of Anand Kumar who is such a noble soul, and who too hails from my hometown, I was overjoyed. He is the man who is responsible behind the education of many underprivileged children. Dancing with Hrithik Roshan was a dream come true for me. He was so humble and made me feel at ease while shooting. I am grateful for being a part of such an enthralling film.

Your performance in Ragini MMS Returns and Hum: I’m Because of Us, left an indelible impact on the masses. Tell us, how do you prepare yourself for an onscreen role transition? What is your process?

Acting for me has diverse meanings; from communication, living in the moment, to narrating a story. As actors we often have the ability to escape reality and live in an imaginary world. Whenever I am offered a role, I tend to form a back story for my character and begin viewing the world through its eyes. I delve deep into its psyche and bring out small details to make the performance more rewarding.

Before making a debut in Bollywood, you have been part of well-known music videos, such as Tera Ghata, Neendein and Kash Aisa Hota. How has the exposure in each industry been?

I was extremely young when I shot for Tera Ghata, and since the beginning I had a gut feeling that this song would be a hit amongst the audiences. Gajendra Verma has done a great job in it and luckily, the universe had it written. Kash Aisa Hota by Darshan Rawal has depth in it and his voice is soulful; I also had my Yash Raj moment in this video, when I ran around on snow covered mountains.

You showcase versatility with each and every role that you take up. We have also seen you as an incredible social media influencer. Howdid this phase come to be?

Social media kind of just happened for me. The audience has been very supportive and kind all through. I think it’s a great way to express yourself, and show your true side to your followers. In future, I plan to do something beneficial for the society by being an influencer.

As actors we often have the ability to escape reality and live in an imaginary world.

What has been the most exciting moment since you became an influencer and what is your go-to pro Instagram tip?

The most important thing is to be yourself, realise who you are, and then just put it out there. Just be your weird, crazy and funny self and show it to the world.

It’s a great platform to showcase your talent and connect with the followers. The audience will appreciate you if they relate to you. I remember wearing a facemask and dancing with a friend of mine for an Instagram video, the response I received for it was overwhelming.

We have all had our share of good and some pretty iconic dates. Describe your most worst dating experience?

I remember going on a date with a guy who later took me tohis sister’s wedding reception. I met his mother there and when she saw me, she told me that I was prettier than his girlfriend. That was extremely awkward for me. I remember the awkward silence that followed after it.

If a genie granted you 3 wishes right now, what would you wish for and why?

1) World peace and a better ecosystem

2) A trip to the moon

3) An opportunity to work alongside Shahrukh Khan

What’s meant to be will always find a way to meet you. What qualities do you look for in your perfect man?

I don’t want a perfect man, rather a man who is comfortable being his true self and shows his flaws and scars to the world. A true and ethical man who is kind, loving and honest, is what I seek.

I remember going on a date with a guy who later took me tohis sister’s wedding reception.

It is said “fitness is like a relationship, it won’t work if you cheat.” How do you manage your fitness regimen despite your busy schedule?

I follow different activities to stay fit such as kickboxing, dancing and cardio. I can dance for hours on end and stay upbeat. I am also a foodie and prefer eating home cooked meals.

When Karishma unwinds, what does she indulge in?

Whenever I return back home after a long day, I always have my little puppy Charlie, waiting for me. Just by spending time with him, I can often feel a sense of calm. I also occasionally watch comedy shows or movies on Netflix whenever I am in the mood for it. I also go out with my girlfriends for a girls night out, which is always fun. When I want to unwind for a couple of days straight, I go back to my hometown and spend quality time with my mother.

Social media is a great way for fans to connect with their dream celebrities and vice-versa. But how do you deal with Internet trolls?

We often forget that the most important things in life are love and respect. Just by hiding behind a digital platform people more often than not, take undue advantage of someone by mistreating them publicly. I used to get affected by them initially, but now when I think about it, I’ve come to the conclusion that, whoever is trolling me don’t know my journey and I should not let their comments harm my mental peace.

Tell us something about your future projects?

I am currently working on a web series called Fixerr, and a music video with Tony Kakkar called Kanta Bai. I am also pursuing a web series with Rannvijay Singh called Sumer Singh Diaries, and also a film that I am not suppose to disclose the details about, yet. I am extremely thankful for all the love and appreciation that I have received in my professional journey.

How was your experience of shooting with FHM India?

It was such a lovely experience; I loved all the looks and the team is so much fun. I have worked with the photographer, Amit Khanna before as well, and it’s always a joy to work with such an engaging team.