Udaipur has always been considered as a small town but there are people who constantly prove it to be nothing less than a metro city. Another example of the above statement is a young girl from the city who went all the way to Mumbai to pursue her dreams to become an actor.
Sejal Sharma is a 21-year-old girl from Udaipur whose determination and passion led her towards her dream career and to set a step in the acting industry. We had an exclusive conversation with Sejal where she talks about her journey and her latest show on the channel Star Plus ‘Dil to Happy Hai Ji’. Let us read what she has to say –
Tell me a bit about your early life here in Udaipur
I was born in Bharatpur originally but brought up in Udaipur. I grew up in a very simple family where my father is a government teacher and my mom is a housewife. Since childhood, I have been a very shy girl. Now, you must be wondering how I thought of going into the acting career. But acting has been into my mind since my teenage. There’s one more thing which I love even more than acting and that is dancing. I’m too fond of dancing.
What was your family’s reaction once they got to learn about your dream?
At first, they were quite reluctant as you know in a city like ours, parents expect their daughters to get a good education and get married. So nobody was ready for me to pursue it but eventually, they realized that this is where my happiness lies and I was able to convince them. Now they are the biggest supporters of my life and constantly push me on my low days. My mother often says to me that whatever you want to do make sure you’re happy in it. I’m very blessed to have parents like them.
How did you get into the acting field? Where did it all begin?
When I was 15 year old, I worked in a feature film named Mumbai 143 but due to some circumstances, the film couldn’t release. This incident was very heartbreaking for me and I thought to quit. I rather thought of living a simple life and getting into the corporate world as anyone here is expected to be. But some time later I realized that this is not the way I’m supposed to live. Then in 2017, I came to Mumbai alone. I was completely clueless about where would I live, what would I do and how will things go. I lived in Vashi initially, and then I shifted to Versova because I couldn’t find the thing I came here for.
And then one day, I met a guy who led me towards an audition and in the first attempt itself; I was selected for the role. This audition was for the web series for Being Indian named ‘Azaad Parindey’.
After that, I worked for several TV commercials for brands such as Motorola, Usha fans, Clean and clear, Honor mobiles, Mumbai Indians, Vivo Mobile, Veet etc. These TVC were followed by daily soaps such as Laal Ishq aired on &TV and then Zindagi U turn aired on Zing Channel. The show ‘Dil to happy hai Ji’ would be my third show. I also worked in a music video for Sony Liv named ‘Kho Jaate Hain’.
What were the difficulties and hurdles you had to cross to reach there?
First of all, moving to such a big city like Mumbai for the first time was the biggest challenge ever. Working out such a hectic schedule where you have to get up in the morning and go for the auditions regularly, get ready for them and travel so far to the venue is very difficult, trust me. My life at Udaipur was very comfortable with my mother doing everything for me. Here, I have to do everything on my own, from cooking food for myself to washing my own clothes.
Another problem is that from age 15 I started earning so I don’t ask my parents for money since then. Now managing the expenses here in Mumbai given that as an actor you are always expected to look at your best, dress nicely, is tough to keep up.
But my fate has helped me a lot. Unlike other struggling artists who have given 100-200 auditions, I have just given 20 of them which turned out to be great for me. I always used to get my path i.e. getting the right opportunities at right time.
Tell me about your character in ‘Dil to Happy Hai Ji’.
I am playing a girl’s character named Simmy who want to marry but only to a guy she loves. As the story proceeds, the character will take a twist making it more engaging and entertaining for the audience. People will surely love the show as it will deeply connect to them.
What message would you want to give to the budding actors of Udaipur?
I would want to tell them to not quit on their dreams. Obviously, it would be difficult, full of struggle and hard work but in the end, it will be worth it. If you really want to get in the field, get out of your little shell, explore yourself, come to Mumbai, explore the industry and find a way out to chase it. And if you ever come across a ‘Shortcut’, know that it won’t help you in the long term success. Choose your moves wisely and follow what your heart says.
When asked about her future goals, she simply said that she wants to go with the flow. Because planned things don’t work in her case. She also expressed her wish to work in a Bollywood movie someday.
These people are really the feathers of our city that helps the city to fly. We wish Sejal all the very best for her show and future endeavors.
Watch her latest show ‘Dil Toh Happy hai Ji’ on star plus at 7:30pm from Monday to Friday.
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